With James Gunn rebooting theDC Universeunder DC Studios, there are some lessons he would be wise to learn from the beloved seriesSmallville. The long-running WB/CW series wasn’t perfect, but it excelled in character-driven storytelling, gradual world-building, and emotional authenticity. As DC prepares to reintroduce iconic characters, it should look back to one ofDC’s greatest successes.
For 10 seasons,Smallvilletook its time developing Clark Kent into Superman, building a compelling foundation based more on heart than spectacle.Gunn’s DC visionis promising, butSmallvilleoffers vital lessons that shouldn’t be ignored. From casting to mythology, and especially how to portray a grounded Superman,Smallvilledemonstrates the key to a successful DC universe.
10Changing DC’s Comic Lore Can Be For The Best
Smallville Was Prepared To Alter Comic Book Lore To Suit The Series More Effectively
One ofSmallville’s most controversial yet successful traits was itswillingness to bend comic book lore. From introducing Chloe Sullivan as a core character to reimagining Lex and Clark’s friendship, the series wasn’t afraid to stray from canon. However, it always did so for the sake of better storytelling.
While hardcore comic fans were initially skeptical, many of these changesenriched the narrative and deepened character relationships. James Gunn’s DCU should adopt a similar mindset – respect the source material, but don’t be shackled by it. The comics are a blueprint, not a script.
Tweaks to origin stories, alliances, or even timelines canbreathe new life into familiar charactersif they serve a clear emotional purpose.Smallvilleshowed that meaningful change can enhance, not harm, the legacy of DC heroes. This is something Gunn’s creative universe should fully embrace.
9Good Casting Is The Heart & Soul Of Making A Series Work
Smallville Boasted An Incredible Cast
Smallvillewouldn’t have lasted 10 seasons without spot-on casting. Tom Welling as Clark Kentcaptured the vulnerability and moral compassof Superman before the cape. Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor remains a fan favorite thanks to his layered, tragic portrayal.
Even the supporting cast (Allison Mack, Erica Durance, and John Glover)elevated their roles with authenticity. Casting isn’t just about resemblance; it’s about understanding the soul of a character. James Gunn has already shown strong instincts in casting (seeGuardians of the Galaxy), but the DCU needs to continue this tradition.
These characters are iconic, and wrong casting choices can fracture immersion. The right actorcan elevate weak writing, but not vice versa.Smallvilleproved that great casting keeps audiences invested – even when plots falter. That lesson should be gospel for the new DC era.
8Balancing Being Serious & Light-Hearted Is Key
Smallville Was Sometimes Dark But Kept Things Hopeful
One ofSmallville’s greatest achievements was its tonal balance. The show tackled heavy themes of betrayal, destiny, grief, butstill found time for fun, romantic tension, and comic relief. It never became grimdark, nor did it lean into camp too heavily.
That’s something James Gunn’s DCU needs to replicate. The DCEU often skewed overly serious, particularly inMan of SteelandBatman v Superman, losing the hopeful charm that defines many DC characters. Gunn,known for injecting humor and heartinto his projects, seems suited to strike this balance, butSmallvilleoffers a working formula.
It proves audiencescan handle tonal varietyas long as it’s authentic to the characters. Light doesn’t negate drama, and drama doesn’t have to be devoid of humor. The new DCU should aim for the same narrative harmony.
7Build A Mythology Slowly And Intentionally
Smallville Gradually Expanded The Series Beyond Superman
Unlike the rushed team-ups of the DCEU,Smallvillebuilt its mythology with care. The Justice League wasn’t introduced in season one. Kryptonian lore unfolded gradually.
Characters like Brainiac, Zod, and Doomsday were introduced only when the show earned those moments. The result was a richer, more immersive world. James Gunn’s new universe should follow a similar strategy: don’t overload the first few films with every DC deep cut or crossover potential. Let the storygrow organically.
Tease future arcs, but don’t rely on them to carry the present. Audiences today crave cinematic universes, but not at the expense of pacing.Smallvilleproved that slow-burn storytelling can deepen investment. When major events finally happen,they feel deserved. Gunn’s DCU should resist shortcuts and focus on letting its world evolve naturally.
6Supporting Characters Matter
Smallville’s Supporting Characters Were Vital To Its Success
Clark Kent didn’t carrySmallvillealone. The series thrived because of its rich supporting cast: Lois, Lex, Chloe, Lana, Lionel, Martha, and more. Each contributed to Clark’s development and brought their own arcs,often just as compelling as the main plot.
That lesson is vital for the DCU. Heroes areonly as interesting as the people around them. Instead of sidelining supporting characters, James Gunn’s DCU should spotlight them. Give Lois more than just love interest duties. Let Alfred be more than Batman’s butler.
Explore Jimmy Olsen’s humanity, or the inner struggles of Martian Manhunter. These characters make the world feel alive and grounded.Smallvillemade audiences care about people without powers, proving that emotional connections don’t require super-strength. The DCU should follow suit and build a fully-fleshed out universerather than focus solely on the heroes.
5Use Fan Service Sparingly But Meaningfully
Smallville Only Deployed Fan Service When It Served The Story
Smallvillewas full of Easter eggs and nods to DC lore, but it didn’t drown in them. Fan service, like the introduction of the Fortress of Solitude or characters like Bart Allen, was used sparingly andonly when it fit the story. It didn’t feel like a checklist; it felt earned.
James Gunn’s DCU will inevitably be packed with fan-pleasing moments, but restraint is crucial. Overloading movies with cameos or referencescan dilute emotional impact. Instead, Gunn should take a page fromSmallville; let nostalgia enhance the narrative, not replace it.
Give fans their “aha” moments, but ground them in character relevance. Whether it’s a famous quote, costume, or symbol, fan service works best when itdeepens the connection to the story. However, this needs to be more than just winks at the audience.
4Character Development Should Come First, Powers Second
Smallville Focused On Development Over Spectacle
Clark Kent didn’t wear the Superman suit until the final episode ofSmallville, and that was the point. The show focused on who he was, not what he could do. Each season, Clark evolved as a person, learning compassion, leadership, and responsibility,before mastering new powers.
That’s the model James Gunn’s DCU should emulate. It’s not enough to show someone flying or firing lasers; audiencesneed to understand their struggles, fears, and relationships. Superpowers are cool, but they’re meaningless if the audience isn’t emotionally invested.
Smallvilleunderstood that becoming a hero is more internal than external. Gunn’s Superman should be defined not just by his strength, but by his empathy, doubts, and growth.Prioritize the personfirst. The powers will follow, and they’ll mean more when they do.
3Villains Should Be Personal, Not Just Powerful
Smallville’s Greatest Villains Were Connected To Clark
InSmallville, Lex Luthor wasn’t just a villain, he was Clark’s best friend turned enemy. Their slow-burning rivalryadded emotional weight to every confrontation. Even secondary antagonists like Lionel or Brainiac had personal connections to Clark’s journey.
That’s a lesson James Gunn’s DCU needs to absorb. Powerful villains are great, but personal villains leave scars. The DCEU oftendefaulted to cosmic threats with no emotional tiesto the heroes. Gunn’s universe will resonate more if antagonists challenge the protagonists internally as well as physically.
A villain whoreflects a hero’s fears or flawsis far more compelling than one who just threatens the planet.Smallvilleshowed that personal betrayal, philosophical differences, or moral dilemmas create lasting drama. Let villains hit where it hurts; not just with their fists, but with their history.
2Human Emotions Make Superheroes Relatable
Clark Kent’s Emotion Made Him Much More Compelling
One of the biggest criticisms of the DCEU’s Superman was his detached, almost alien demeanor. Henry Cavill brought physicality, but his Clark often felt more like a god than a man.Smallvilleflipped that dynamic:Clark Kent was relatable, grounded, and full of doubt.
He made mistakes, felt pain, and struggled with responsibility. That made his eventual transformation into Superman more satisfying. James Gunn’s DCU should re-embrace this approach.Superheroes don’t need to be flawless, they need to be human.
Emotions, vulnerabilities, and everyday dilemmas make these characters resonate. Audiences don’t connect with perfection;they connect with growth. Gunn’s Superman needs to feel like someone audiences could know – a son, a friend, a partner – before he becomes a symbol.Smallvilleknew that empathy is a superpower, and that’s a lesson worth relearning.
1Not Every Threat Needs To Be A World-Ending Crisis
Smallville Often Used Smaller, Local Threats
Comic book films have developed a bad habit: every villain wants to destroy the world or reshape reality.Smallvilleoffered a refreshing alternative. Many of its conflicts wereintimate, local, and character-driven.
Not every episode involved meteors or multiverses; sometimes the stakes werea broken friendship or a hard moral choice. The tension still felt real because it mattered to the characters. That’s something James Gunn’s DCU needs to remember.
Escalating stakes doesn’t always mean escalating scale. A story about saving one life can bemore compelling than saving billions, if it’s done right. The new DCU should focus on emotional stakes over apocalyptic ones. Let heroes be heroes in their neighborhoods, not just in the cosmos.Smallvilleproved that sometimes the smallest battles have the biggest impact.
