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A Smallville reboot would be beneficial even if it were not part of James Gunn's DCU. The benefits of the original show are already established, having garnered a new audience for the Superman origin and helped create the superhero television genre.
Nowadays, the audience is accustomed to multiverses and competing versions of classic characters, so there is no chance of confusion should a Smallville revival coexist with Gunn's new Superman movie. The fact that projects like The Batman and The Penguin are happening simultaneously demonstrates that DC can accommodate narratives beyond its core cinematic universe.
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Smallville's original approach to the early life of Clark Kent, its dedicated fan base, and continued interest from the original actors create a solid foundation for a reboot. The impact that the show has on superhero TV today and the fact that it was able to tackle stories that the DCU may not touch further validate the notion that a Smallville reboot could stand on its own.
The enduring legacy of Smallville and its loyal fan base
Smallville was an enormous hit, lasting 10 seasons with 218 episodes and making a powerful impact on superhero television. The show combined superhero action with teen-centric coming-of-age elements, tracing Clark Kent's path from pre-Superman status. This technique enabled the audience to engage at a deeper level with the character, his struggles, friendships, and ethical conflicts.
The show's dedication to character development and serialized storytelling distinguished it from other television series at the time, and laid the groundwork for connected superhero series such as Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl. The fan base of Smallville is still active and dedicated.
The sustained success of rewatch podcasts, annual conventions, and Season 11 comics shows that the universe remains of interest. Popular opinion on Reddit is that the show was a cultural touchstone, drawing in many and varied viewers outside of the confines of the traditional comic book fandom.
This long-term support serves as a base for a reboot to reassure there is an audience in place to embrace fresh stories within the Smallville universe.
The multiverse model and room for multiple Superman stories
The contemporary audience is used to hearing about multiverses, particularly in superhero universes. Marvel and DC have both adopted multiple character universes, whose stories tend to run concurrently without confusion. For instance, The Batman and Joker are outside the primary DCU, and animated shows such as My Adventures With Superman run concurrently with live-action ventures.
This format enables studios to reach different audience segments and experiment with diverse approaches to storytelling. During Smallville's initial run, there were already several different versions of Superman, with Tom Welling portraying Clark Kent on television while Brandon Routh played Superman in Superman Returns. These various interpretations were embraced by audiences without a hitch.
Nowadays, with even greater multiverse storytelling within popular culture, Smallville could easily coexist with James Gunn's DCU. This method would enable fans to select the version of Superman to which they are most attuned, expanding the franchise's market.
Distinct storytelling possibilities in a Smallville reboot
A Smallville reboot, particularly in its animated incarnation, presents distinct storytelling possibilities that are not readily available in the primary DCU. The original series' cast, such as Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, have cited interest in reprising roles for an animated iteration, which would permit even more ambitious plots and action scenes without the limitations of live-action production.
Animation would also facilitate bringing back the original cast and converting stories from Season 11 of the comic book series, offering new content but staying within the continuity of the original show. A reboot would explore scenarios that the DCU's Superman isn't yet prepared to address, including Clark and Lois's existence as parents or Lex Luthor's political aspirations.
It might also continue the saga of the complicated relationship between Clark and Lex, a peak of the original show. These storylines would set the reboot apart from Gunn's Superman and provide audiences with fresh approaches to old favorites.
A reboot of Smallville can succeed outside of James Gunn's DCU for a variety of reasons. The legacy of the original series and the loyal fan base provide a solid ground to build new material upon.
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