Smallville: Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum Reunite For Wizard World Chicago

After 10 years and 217 episodes, one would think that the cast of Smallville would have no interest in seeing each other ever again. Especially when the two largest stars of the show played mortal enemies — Clark Kent and Lex Luthor!

Surprisingly, the actors are a lot more chummy in real life than they ever were on the small screen. For our pleasure, Smallville’s Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum graced the stage at Wizard World Chicago, reminiscing over the camaraderie they have for each other.

At the beginning of the panel, it was quickly pointed out how huge the show was back when it started, and how Smallville still has an impact on the world of television today.

Tom Welling smiled and said, “We were working so hard — we knew it was special. We always knew where the character would end up. It was just a matter of the journey, but I was never like, hey dude this is gonna last like 10 seasons!”

“I’ve done a lot stuff, but I never told my parents. I never said anything positive about my career — nor did they.  When I saw the pilot, I went outside and called my parents and I went like, I think people are going to know me — this is good!” Michael Rosenbaum recalled

We can all attest to the amazing work these actors did. They were able to cement themselves in our hearts forever.

Soon after, the topic of where the actors were before Smallville was discussed. Since Tom Welling was such a newbie, he struggled a bit when he first came out of the gate.

“I was just bouncing around LA auditioning for a couple of things. A lot of my feedback was, ‘you’re good, but you’re green’ — my experience wasn’t there,” Welling replied. 

“For me, I was doing comedies. I was always working, but this was the biggest thing. I was the bald guy — I was the villain. That was the first big thing to happen,” Rosenbaum added. 

Rosenbaum then went on to explain how difficult it was for Welling when the show started out. “Tom was working 17 hours a day — driving with one eye open — he was working every day.”

This, in turn, moved the subject to when the two first met.

“One of my first memories of Michael is when he had to shave his head. He would show up hours ahead of me, and by the time I made it into the makeup trailer, there would be crazy hair band 80’s music like Chicago playing. I would go to the speaker to turn it off, and he’d be like, ‘What dude, that’s fucking Journey!’ ” Welling laughed.

Tom Welling explained to the fans, “What I learned to expect from Michael, is that he is so different than the character.”

“He was able to switch into the character — in and out of it so quickly —and I didn’t have that talent or skill. I was like dude, I have to concentrate,” Welling continued. “I can’t just be funny, then have them yell action and then get serious.”

Referring back to an earlier part of the conversation, Rosenbaum joked, “I just remember — you were green.”

In a more serious demeanor, Michael Rosenbaum added, “You know, there is a lot of good-looking handsome guys — and you’re one of them — but he didn’t have that air about him. He was a genuinely good dude, who wanted to have fun, was interested in the work, and wanted to do good.”

Turning towards Welling, he said, “That’s the good thing about you, if you don’t know how to fix a car, you ask a mechanic. You were malleable.”

Rosenbaum looked back at the audience. “We were always there to help each other — there was no ego. We never fought.”

“I wish there were great stories about us yelling at each other. We just got along and ran with it. That’s what made it easier — two guys that were just there to get through it together,” Michael Rosenbaum concluded.

Of course, someone eventually had to ask the obvious question on whether we will ever see another season of Smallville.

Tom Welling let us down by admitting, “The show will probably never come back. As much as the fanbase would like to see it again, there is a billion different licensing fees that have to go out there — like Superman, and networks, and stuff like that.”

But then, a fan presented the option of possibly being a part of the Arrowverse.

“I don’t think so,” Welling answered abruptly.

His co-star wasn’t so quick to dismiss it though, “You know, bring us a good idea — if it’s good we will consider it. Somebody write something cool,” Rosenbaum said.

Although not too keen on the subject, Tom Welling did say they were all close friends with the stars of Arrow and The Flash. “We like to give our friends on those shows a hard time.”

In a comical voice, Rosenbaum rose from his seat and started a one man skit. “I don’t even watch Smallville — I’m an Arrow fan. Stephen Amell is way hotter than them!”

“I gave you your career, Amell! You hear me, Amell,” joked Michael Rosenbaum before going back to his seat.

He then put the humor aside and said, “Stephen Amell is incredible. He is honestly a terrific freaking guy.”

Welling did finally give a little glimmer of hope. “There are these Smallville comic books around, and that could be fun to animate and add the original actor’s voice. That would be fun — hashtag animate the Smallville comic books.”

And if that doesn’t work out, Rosenbaum and Welling agreed that they would, in fact, be willing to star in a movie together.

Tom Welling cited Shawshank Redemption as a movie he would be willing to do, while Rosenbaum preferred Reservoir Dogs. I find either one an interesting prospect, to be honest with you. Especially if we could get a little role reversal, making Welling more villainous and Rosenbaum the hero type.

As the panel wound down, Michael Rosenbaum made his way into the crowd answering questions, flirting a bit, and repeating joke after joke.

It was clear that Rosenbaum was having just a much fun as we were. He was here not just to inform, but to entertain as well.

Tom Welling continued to answer everything that came his way with the utmost candor — proving himself to be just like the hero he used to play.

Together, their love for Smallville and its fans shone like a spotlight, highlighting Wizard World Chicago with a big crimson “S” that they both wore proudly across their chest.

Catch Michael Rosenbaum on his podcast Inside Of You.

Remember to check back for more coverage on Wizard World Chicago! Find out more about Wizard World here.

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