13 years after Smallville ended, the new DC Universe is set to begin, and the franchise could use some of the talented actors who helped shape the lasting legacy of the Superman prequel series. Smallville‘s 10 seasons chronicled 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 in Smallville‘s series finale.

Smallville‘s final episode aired in May 2011, with the DCU’s reboot of Superman set to take to the skies in July 2025. In the time since the DC series ended, several Smallville stars have gone on to have successful careers. As James Gunn begins to shape the cast of the DCU’s Chapter One, many Smallville stars could join the franchise in new DC roles, using their experience to help the DCU be a hit.

10

Justin Hartley As Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

The Star Could Lead His Own DCU Series

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 in Smallville. 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 in HBO’s Lanterns series, 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.

9

Laura Vandervoort As Black Canary

She Has Shown Interest In The DCU

Laura Vandervoort played Supergirl in Smallville. That role has already been cast for the new DCU, with House of the Dragon breakout star Milly Alcock set to lead Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow as Kara Zor-El. Vandervoort has said that she would love to join the DCU, and James Gunn commented on the Smallville Supergirl’s enthusiastic DCU remarks, saying, “Gotta love Laura!”

Vandervoort was great as Supergirl in Smallville; 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.

8

Alan 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, in Smallville. The actor was part of the show’s version of the Justice League, with Ritchson later crossing paths with DC again as Hawk in the Titans series. Now that the star is at his most popular after the success of the action series Reacher, 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 the Smallville actor. 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 reported Teen Titans movie.

7

Paul Wesley As Green Arrow

The Actor Has Experience In Major Franchise Roles

Paul Wesley became famous for his turn as Stefan Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries, but before that, he was Lucas Luthor in Smallville. Wesley only appeared in one episode of Smallville as Lex Luthor’s half-brother, but his success in the hit vampire series and other roles, such as playing the iconic James T. Kirk in Star 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.

6

Erica Durance As Queen Hippolyta

Smallville’s Lois Lane Has Already Gone Back To DC

Erica Durance is one of Smallville‘s biggest stars, playing what many consider to be the best version of Lois Lane in live-action. The actress has since returned to DC by playing Alura Zor-El, the Kryptonian mother of Supergirl, in the Arrowverse. Durance also briefly reprised her role of Smallville‘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 announced Paradise 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, since Paradise Lost is described as the DCU’s Game of Thrones-esque political series.

5

Cobie Smulders As Wonder Woman

She Could Go From The MCU To The DCU

Cobie Smulders is another Smallville actress 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, having played Maria Hill, Nick Fury’s right hand, in multiple Marvel movies and series.

Following Maria Hill’s controversial death in Secret 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 in How I Met Your Mother could also lead to a multi-sided Diana, who fights with grace and lowers her guard around her loved ones.

4

Ian Somerhalder As Reverse-Flash

An Exciting DCU Villain Choice

It is interesting that the two male stars of The Vampire Diaries were both in Smallville, 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 in Smallville. It was in The Vampire Diaries that Somerhalder built on his Smallville charisma 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.

3

Michael 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 because Rosenbaum 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’s Superman. However, that does not mean that Rosenbaum’s DCU chances are over. The actor has shown that he excels as a major villain, and Rosenbaum 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.

2

Jensen Ackles As Batman

The Fan-Favorite DCU Bruce Wayne Choice

Jensen Ackles played Jason Teague in Smallville. The actor left the show to star in Supernatural, 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 in The Boys season 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.

1

Tom 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 in Smallville‘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’s Smallville co-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 as Jor-El, Superman’s Kryptonian father, in the Man of Steel’s reboot movie. With Christopher Reeve’s son having a cameo in the film, the Smallville Clark Kent actor does have a chance of appearing in some form.