- This episode of Nerdist News
is sponsored by Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
We're breaking down Clark Kent's
new Smallville ending revealed
during the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.
The second part of the CW's massive crossover event,
Crisis on Infinite Earths, aired as part
of this Monday's Batwoman, and it's safe to say
that the network is truly gunning for the mantle
of the most ambitious crossover of all time.
At least when it comes to TV.
That's because on top of all the Arrowverse shows
crossing over on themselves, in addition
to Supergirl and Black Lightning, it is packed
to the brim with characters and actors
from DC properties past, like Legends of Tomorrow's
Brandon Routh reprising his role as Superman
from 2006's Superman Returns.
And also cameos from the likes of Burt Ward
who played Robin in the old Adam West Batman series.
But there were two huge casting announcements
that had fans losing their collective (bleep).
One, that we'd finally see long-time Batman voice actor,
Kevin Conroy, play Bruce Wayne in real life,
and two, that Tom Welling who played Clark Kent
in the long-running Smallville series
would reprise his role as that character in Crisis.
Now, arguably, Smallville set the groundwork
for the Arrowverse as it stands today,
and while fans couldn't wait to see Welling reprise the role
that put modern superhero TV on the map,
it was the huge twist revealed about Clark Kent's ending
that's blowing fans' minds today.
And we're gonna break down what that means right now.
Now, of course, before we get into it,
let's get the spoiler warning out of the way.
This episode of Nerdist News
is gonna discuss the second part
of the Crisis on Infinite Earths event,
so turn away now if you don't wanna be spoiled.
Also, plug your ears, otherwise, you're just not looking
and you can still hear me.
But if you're sticking around, please take this moment
to like and subscribe.
Still here?
Great, so what all happened?
Well, during the 10 seasons Tom Welling played Superman's
alter ego, he never actually got
to wear the Man of Steel's actual suit,
outside of some CGI shots from the Smallville finale
when Clark Kent finally embraced his Superman persona.
So you can imagine how pumped fans were
to see Welling don the iconic red-blue-and-yellow
to team up with other Supermen appearing in Crisis,
Supergirl's Tyler Hoechlin and Brandon Routh,
but that's not exactly how things turned out.
When Hoechlin's Superman arrives on Earth-167
to recruit Welling,
he doesn't exactly find what he's expecting.
And moments later when Lex Luthor arrives
to kill Welling's Superman with kryptonite,
Luthor discovers it has no effect
because this version of Superman has permanently
given up his powers and instead settled down
on the iconic Smallville farm with Lois Lane
and their children.
Now as a side note, this doesn't stop Clark
from putting the beat down on Luthor.
He kicks that guy's ass!
So how does this powerless Kal-El
fit in with the ending of Smallville
when Clark Kent finally, after years of debate,
becomes Superman, don't those two creative visions clash?
Not if you ask Batwoman head honcho, Caroline Dries,
who also used to write for Smallville back in the day.
At a screening for parts one and two of the crossover,
she said, "We had conversations about how
"to best see Tom again.
"We knew that we really wanted Brandon Routh
"as Clark Kent in the Daily Planet.
"I think the Tom Welling Clark Kent
"that we all kind of picture when we think of him
"is Clark on the farm.
"So it made sense, the farm is still there."
She went on to say, "It all felt very 10 years ago
"in a great way.
"To us, it just felt natural
"that that's kind of his natural environment
"where we'd see him."
And honestly, it makes sense.
Since Welling's Kent struggled so much
with the responsibility of the role,
the idea that he'd step away from capes and tights
fits in, and this is what it took to get Welling
to sign up to appear in Crisis,
according to Arrowverse executive producer, Marc Guggenheim.
The Gugg described Welling's response like this:
"He was like, I love this!
"He basically said to me,
"you guys have basically written the one scene
"that I can't say no to, which was really really nice."
Really nailed his cadence, I think.
All in all, this feels like it's a nice coda
to Smallville's ending, and with so many versions
and iterations of Superman across media
throughout the years, fans can always root for one
where Clark Kent gets the happy ending
he so richly deserves.
Plus, with there still reportedly being
several secret DC characters set to appear
in upcoming Crisis episodes that have yet
to be revealed, fans still have plenty of stuff
to sink their teeth into as this crossover event
continues to unfold in the New Year,
like how cool would it be if we got a DCEU character
in the mix, or if they just went for it
and gave us a cameo of a completely animated character.
But tell me, what do you folks think?
Do you like this send off for Tom Welling's Clark Kent?
What part of the Crisis crossover
has been your favorite so far?
And who do you think is gonna show up
in the rest of the event series, let's discuss.
Thanks again to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
for sponsoring today's episode.
You play Cal Kestis, a Jedi Padawan,
who narrowly escaped the purge of Order 66
following the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
On a quest to rebuild the Jedi Order,
you must pick up the pieces of your shattered past
to complete your training,
develop new powerful Force abilities,
and master the art of the iconic light saber.
All while staying one step ahead
of the Empire and its deadly inquisitors.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is available now
on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
(bright music)