You open Instagram once, and each refresh or visit to the app is an announcement about either a book adaptation or a reboot of the previously adored franchises. The idea of revisiting beloved television shows has become increasingly common in Hollywood, with studios mining familiar franchises for new stories and nostalgic reunions.

Yet reviving a series that already enjoyed a decade-long run is not always straightforward, especially when its original stars have moved on to different chapters of their careers. And the case seems to be the same for Tom Welling's Smallville.

As Smallville celebrates the 25th anniversary of its premiere, Welling and his co-star Michael Rosenbaum have been looking back at the superhero drama that helped shape their careers. Their latest conversation has now raised the question fans have been asking for years: could the residents of Smallville return for another adventure?

During a Variety interview marking Smallville's 25th anniversary, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum were asked which cast member would be the first to agree to a reboot. Rosenbaum initially picked Welling, before suggesting that the actor might reconsider if the original creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, came up with a compelling idea.

Welling, however, admitted that he struggled to "imagine" what such a story could look like. Rosenbaum agreed that a revival would be difficult to imagine given how much older the cast is now. Still, Welling did not completely shut down the possibility.

“Never say never,” he said, prompting Rosenbaum to point out, “They're rebooting everything.”

The exchange with Variety comes as the show's legacy remains strong a quarter-century after its debut. Smallville premiered on The WB in October 2001 and ran for 10 seasons, following Clark as he navigated adolescence, discovered his abilities, and gradually embraced his destiny. Its blend of coming-of-age drama, mythology, and superhero storytelling helped establish a template for many comic-book adaptations that followed. 

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A reboot may still need the right creative spark, but the conversation also turned to another question that has followed Superman across generations: who deserves to wear the cape?

When asked to name their favorite Superman actor besides himself, Tom Welling immediately chose Christopher Reeve, whose portrayal of the Man of Steel remains iconic decades after the original films.

Rosenbaum, also named Reeve, alongside David Corenswet, who is also Mily Alcock's favorite in James Gunn's 2025 film. Corenswet has previously spoken about how Welling's performance influenced him growing up, creating a connection between different generations of the character.

“When I was growing up, he was the Superman who was on TV every week,” Corenswet told Entertainment Tonight in 2025.

For now, Welling is not promising a return to Smallville. But with the show's 25th anniversary renewing interest in its legacy, fans can at least hold on to two words: never say never.

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Do you think a Smallville reboot should be in works? Let us know in the comments below.