Summary
13 years afterSmallvilleended, the newDC Universeis set to begin, and the franchise could use some of the talented actors who helped shapethe lasting legacy of the Superman prequel series.Smallville’s 10 seasonschronicled the adventures of Tom Welling’s young Clark Kent until he became Superman. Clark discovered his origin and powers throughout the show, becoming the Man of Steel inSmallville’s series finale.
Smallville’s final episode aired in May 2011, with theDCU’s reboot of Supermanset to take to the skies in July 2025. In the time since the DC series ended, severalSmallvillestars have gone on to have successful careers. As James Gunn begins to shape the cast of theDCU’s Chapter One, manySmallvillestars could join the franchise in new DC roles, using their experience to help the DCU be a hit.
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10Justin Hartley As Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Justin Hartley could go from one superhero who wears green to another in the new DC Universe.Hartley played the most comic book-accurate Green Arrow in live-action to this day inSmallville. While he would make for a fantastic Oliver Queen in the DCU, it is very unlikely that Gunn would cast any past DC TV actors in the same roles for the new franchise, risking confusion.
As such, Hartley would be the ideal candidate to take over as the Hal Jordan version of Green Lantern in the DCU. Hal Jordan will debut inHBO’sLanternsseries, where he investigates a mystery on Earth alongside John Stewart.The description of the series states that Hal is a “Lantern legend,“which opens the door for an actor on the older side to be cast. At 47, Hartley has the looks and the skills to make Hal Jordan a charismatic and confident Green Lantern.
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9Laura Vandervoort As Black Canary
She Has Shown Interest In The DCU
Laura Vandervoort played Supergirl inSmallville. That role has already been cast for the new DCU, withHouse of the Dragonbreakout starMilly Alcock set to leadSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowas Kara Zor-El.Vandervoort has said that she would love to join the DCU, andJames Gunn commented on theSmallvilleSupergirl’s enthusiastic DCU remarks, saying, “Gotta love Laura!”
Vandervoort was great as Supergirl inSmallville; however, she did not appear nearly as much as she should have. The DCU could change that by giving the talented actress a strong recurring role in the franchise.Vandervoort, as Black Canary, could be part of a few DCU teams, including the Birds of Prey, the Justice League, and more. The new shared universe could also finally put Green Arrow and Black Canary in a live-action film together, and Vandervoort is perfect to play the more serious part of that dynamic.
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8Alan Ritchson As Deathstroke
The Smallville Star Has Campaigned For A DCU Role
Alan Ritchson could go from hero to villain if he were to join the DCU. Ritchson played a young Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, inSmallville. The actor was part of the show’s version of the Justice League, with Ritchson later crossing paths with DC again as Hawk in theTitansseries. Now that the star is at his most popular after the success of the action seriesReacher, Ritchson has his eyes set on the DCU.
Ritchson wants to play Batman in the DCU. However, there could be a Batman-related role that could be even better for theSmallvilleactor. The star would make for an impressive Deathstroke. Ritchson’s action skills, imposing physique, and ability to make others fear his characters are great for Slade Wilson. The role would also allow Ritchson to fight Batman and appear in multiple DCU projects, like the reportedTeen Titans movie.
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7Paul Wesley As Green Arrow
The Actor Has Experience In Major Franchise Roles
Paul Wesley became famous for his turn as Stefan Salvatore inThe Vampire Diaries, but before that, he was Lucas Luthor inSmallville.Wesley only appeared in one episode ofSmallvilleas Lex Luthor’s half-brother, but his success in the hit vampire series and other roles, such as playing the iconic James T. Kirk inStar Trek: Strange New Worlds, show he would be a great fit for Gunn’s new DCU.
Wesley has quite the range as an actor, being good at displaying strong emotions and making viewers laugh out loud when he gets to tap into his comedic chops. Green Arrow is a role that would allow him to explore those different sides. Wesley could make Oliver Queen a respected member of the superhero community who is also known for his charismatic nature and fondness for leading a lighter life even when facing danger.
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6Erica Durance As Queen Hippolyta
Smallville’s Lois Lane Has Already Gone Back To DC
Erica Durance is one ofSmallville’s biggest stars, playing what many consider to be the best version of Lois Lane in live-action. The actress has sincereturned to DC by playing Alura Zor-El, the Kryptonian mother of Supergirl, in the Arrowverse. Durance also briefly reprised her role ofSmallville’s Lois Lane opposite Tom Welling’s Clark Kent in the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover. Her DC appearances could continue with another heartwarming role in the DCU.
For now, there has been no confirmed project for the DCU’s Wonder Woman to debut in. However, Gunn has announcedParadise Lost, a prequel series focused on the Amazons before Wonder Woman was born. Durance would be perfect as Wonder Woman’s mother, Hippolyta, with the series potentially showing how she came to be the Queen of the Amazons, sinceParadise Lostis described as the DCU’sGame of Thrones-esque political series.
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5Cobie Smulders As Wonder Woman
She Could Go From The MCU To The DCU
Cobie Smulders is anotherSmallvilleactress who is no stranger to superhero fare. Smulders had a minor role in the Superman prequel series, playing Shannon Bell, a former affair of Lex Luthor who turned into a villain after he left her. Smulders found a bigger role for herself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, havingplayed Maria Hill, Nick Fury’s right hand, in multiple Marvel movies and series.
Following Maria Hill’s controversial death inSecret Invasion, Smulders' time in the MCU is likely over. She could continue her streak of getting bigger superhero roles by going for the most popular female hero in comics, Wonder Woman. Smulders has plenty of action roles in her resume that show she could make Diana Prince a fierce warrior and a determined character.Smulders' career-making turn inHow I Met Your Mothercould also lead to a multi-sided Diana, who fights with grace and lowers her guard around her loved ones.
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4Ian Somerhalder As Reverse-Flash
An Exciting DCU Villain Choice
It is interesting that the two male stars ofThe Vampire Diarieswere both inSmallville, with Damon Salvatore actor Ian Somerhalder having played Adam Knight in the Superman prequel series. For some time,fans were sure that Somerhalder’s character would be revealed to be Batman, though Adam Knight never turned into Bruce Wayne inSmallville. It was inThe Vampire Diariesthat Somerhalder built on hisSmallvillecharisma and delivered an all-star performance.
Damon Salvatore was a volatile and deadly character. The role showed that Somerhalder has the range to play either a charismatic, sarcastic hero like John Constantine in the DCU or, better yet, play a truly deranged villain like the Reverse-Flash.Somerhalder can add the manic energy that makes Eobard Thawne so alluring, with the actor commanding the screen whenever he appears.
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3Michael Rosenbaum As Brainiac
The Best Lex Luthor Could Become Another Superman Villain
It feels like only a matter of time before Michael Rosenbaum joins the new DCU. The reason for that is becauseRosenbaum is one of the closest friends of DCU creative chief James Gunn, and the director is known to always bring past collaborators for his new projects. Adding to that,Gunn thinks Rosenbaum is the best live-action Lex Luthor. That is accurate, as the Smallville actor delivered one of the best performances in any comic book adaptation.
Sadly, the 51-year-old Rosenbaum was too old for the DCU’s Lex Luthor, who will be played by Nicholas Hoult, who is 34, in Gunn’sSuperman. However, that does not mean that Rosenbaum’s DCU chances are over. The actor has shown that he excels as a major villain, andRosenbaum would be the perfect fit for the analytical Brainiac. The actor could make the DCU’s Brainiac every ounce as intelligent and cold as he is in the comics.
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2Jensen Ackles As Batman
The Fan-Favorite DCU Bruce Wayne Choice
Jensen Ackles played Jason Teague inSmallville. The actor left the show to star inSupernatural, the series that would see him explode in popularity after playing Dean Winchester for 15 seasons. Ackles is now one of the most popular names who want to join the DCU, with the actor being the fan favorite to play the new Bruce Wayne.Ackles has said he would love to play Batman.
The actor would be the ideal fit for the new Batman. Since Bruce Wayne will be a father in the DCU, with the Bat-Family set to appear, an actor in his 40s would fit that timeline. Ackles also has plenty of superhero experience. In live-action, he played Soldier Boy inThe Boysseason 3, becoming one of the show’s most popular characters. Being able to deliver fights and plenty of emotion in live-action,Ackles is also the voice of Batman in the animated Tomorrowverse, which greatly helps his DCU chances.
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1Tom Welling As Jor-El
Smallville’s Most Important Star Could Play A Legacy Role
Finally,Smallville’s leading man could be one of the actors the DCU could use from the series.Welling played one of the best live-action versions of Clark Kent, and while he only turned into Superman inSmallville’s series finale, Welling’s long time as Clark Kent was enough to make him one of the most exciting iterations of any DC character in live-action. With David Corenswet already cast as the DCU’s Superman, Welling could play a key role in his life.
DC has a long list of actors who have come back in a legacy role in other projects. Welling’sSmallvilleco-star, Lois Lane actress Erica Durance, went on to play Supergirl’s Kryptonian mother in the Arrowverse. Gunn could have Welling in an equally powerful role, with the star making a secret appearance asJor-El, Superman’s Kryptonian father, in the Man of Steel’s reboot movie. WithChristopher Reeve’s son having a cameo in the film, theSmallvilleClark Kent actor does have a chance of appearing in some form.
Smallville
Cast
Smallville chronicles the journey of Clark Kent, portraying his origins from Krypton to his teenage years on Earth. The series explores his challenges and development leading towards his destiny as the iconic hero, Superman, set against the backdrop of Smallville, Kansas.
