In 2001, the WB Network debuted a new television show based on DC Comics' premier superhero, Superman. But this series had a unique spin. It would tell the tale of schoolboy Clark Kent, growing up with his parents as he begins to discover his powers, which seem to be ignited by puberty. The series was pitched to the network under the tagline "no tights, no flights" and was titled Smallville.
Smallville was the WB Network's highest-rated premiere of all time, and the series went on to run for 11 seasons. Smallville featured Tom Welling as Clark Kent, and delighted DC fans by introducing variations of numerous DC characters into the show, including Aquaman, Mera, Cyborg, Impulse, Zatanna, Stargirl, Black Canary, and members of the Legion of Super-Heroes! In addition to featuring many characters from the pages of the comic books, Smallville also paid great respect to the DC mythos by featuring many actors who were part of previous live-action DC ventures. In this tour, we'll take a look at these legacy-guest stars!
TERENCE STAMP
This Oscar-nominated actor never actually appeared on Smallville, but he was heard as the voice of Jor-El in 22 episodes, seasons 2 through 10.
Jor-El copied his brainwaves into the Orb and baby Kal-El's spaceship, creating an AI version of himself that Clark can often call on for advice. This AI version of Jor-El resides in the Fortress of Solitude.
Stamp's version of Jor-El often seemed cold and detached because he was more concerned for his son's Kryptonian heritage than about Earthlings, despite having sent his son to be raised by them.
Terence Stamp is a legacy guest because he previously played General Zod, the Kryptonian nemesis of Superman, in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). "Kneel before Zod!" Outside of these two films, Stamp is probably best known for Billy Budd and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Jor-El copied his brainwaves into the Orb and baby Kal-El's spaceship, creating an AI version of himself that Clark can often call on for advice. This AI version of Jor-El resides in the Fortress of Solitude.
Stamp's version of Jor-El often seemed cold and detached because he was more concerned for his son's Kryptonian heritage than about Earthlings, despite having sent his son to be raised by them.
Terence Stamp is a legacy guest because he previously played General Zod, the Kryptonian nemesis of Superman, in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). "Kneel before Zod!" Outside of these two films, Stamp is probably best known for Billy Budd and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
LYNDA CARTER
The versatile actor-singer-songwriter appeared in Smallville as Moira Sullivan, the mother of regular Smallville character Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) in season 6.
Years before the show's present setting, Moira discovered that she was a metahuman who could telepathically control minds, typically those affected by "meteor rocks" (the term people use for kryptonite on Smallville). After an incident where she accidentally harmed her young daughter Chloe, she committed herself to a psychiatric institution so that she couldn't potentially harm anyone else. While there, she was misdiagnosed and fell into a catatonic state.
Lex Luthor, learning of her abilities, finds a way to temporarily bring her to consciousness, but Moira mentally takes control of her daughter to alert her of her situation. Moira was rescued by her daughter and Clark. Clark shares all of Chloe's accomplishments with Moira before she relapses back to her catatonic state.
Ms. Carter is a legacy guest because she played DC's longest-published female hero, Wonder Woman, on television from 1975 through 1979. She played the role in an extremely successful 90-minute TV movie. That movie led to two more TV specials. The ratings for these three outings were so good that a full series was commissioned. The New Original Wonder Woman debuted in the fall of 1976, and it catapulted Lynda Carter to the realm of super-stardom.
Carter is extremely versed in the complete history of Wonder Woman and is often interviewed for books, news, and other entertainment venues when expertise on the character is required.
The versatile actor-singer-songwriter appeared in Smallville as Moira Sullivan, the mother of regular Smallville character Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) in season 6.
Years before the show's present setting, Moira discovered that she was a metahuman who could telepathically control minds, typically those affected by "meteor rocks" (the term people use for kryptonite on Smallville). After an incident where she accidentally harmed her young daughter Chloe, she committed herself to a psychiatric institution so that she couldn't potentially harm anyone else. While there, she was misdiagnosed and fell into a catatonic state.
Lex Luthor, learning of her abilities, finds a way to temporarily bring her to consciousness, but Moira mentally takes control of her daughter to alert her of her situation. Moira was rescued by her daughter and Clark. Clark shares all of Chloe's accomplishments with Moira before she relapses back to her catatonic state.
Ms. Carter is a legacy guest because she played DC's longest-published female hero, Wonder Woman, on television from 1975 through 1979. She played the role in an extremely successful 90-minute TV movie. That movie led to two more TV specials. The ratings for these three outings were so good that a full series was commissioned. The New Original Wonder Woman debuted in the fall of 1976, and it catapulted Lynda Carter to the realm of super-stardom.
Carter is extremely versed in the complete history of Wonder Woman and is often interviewed for books, news, and other entertainment venues when expertise on the character is required.
CHRISTOPHER REEVE
Without a doubt, this is probably one of the greatest legacy castings of all time. Reeve played Dr. Virgil Swann in two episodes of Smallville. One episode in season 2, and the other in season 3.
Virgil Swann is a wealthy scientist who has spent years trying to communicate with possible beings on other planets. One of the planets he had intercepted messages from was Krypton. Following some events in Smallville that made national news, Swann is convinced that Clark Kent is an alien child sent to Earth. He works to get Clark to visit him in Manhattan. It is Swann who tells Clark what his Kryptonian name was (Kal-El), and that he speculated that Krypton had been destroyed, and that was the reason Clark had been sent to Earth. He also lets Clark know that he will help him with learning the language of his home planet, and also that he will keep his secret. He often refers to Clark as "the traveler".
Reeve is a legacy guest because he brought the characters of Superman and Clark Kent to life in four motion pictures, beginning with the smash-hit Superman in 1978. Reeve played the character through 1987.
Christopher Reeve suffered a debilitating accident in 1995 during an equestrian competition. Though he was bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, he remained the absolute embodiment of heroism. It was from his mechanical chair that he delivered his performances as Virgil Swann. His guest role on Smallville was his final acting appearance before his untimely death in 2004.
Virgil Swann is a wealthy scientist who has spent years trying to communicate with possible beings on other planets. One of the planets he had intercepted messages from was Krypton. Following some events in Smallville that made national news, Swann is convinced that Clark Kent is an alien child sent to Earth. He works to get Clark to visit him in Manhattan. It is Swann who tells Clark what his Kryptonian name was (Kal-El), and that he speculated that Krypton had been destroyed, and that was the reason Clark had been sent to Earth. He also lets Clark know that he will help him with learning the language of his home planet, and also that he will keep his secret. He often refers to Clark as "the traveler".
Reeve is a legacy guest because he brought the characters of Superman and Clark Kent to life in four motion pictures, beginning with the smash-hit Superman in 1978. Reeve played the character through 1987.
Christopher Reeve suffered a debilitating accident in 1995 during an equestrian competition. Though he was bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, he remained the absolute embodiment of heroism. It was from his mechanical chair that he delivered his performances as Virgil Swann. His guest role on Smallville was his final acting appearance before his untimely death in 2004.
MARGOT KIDDER
Kidder appeared as Dr. Bridgette Crawford on two episodes of Smallville in 2004 (season 4).
Crawford was an assistant and emissary for Dr. Virgil Swann. It is hinted that they may have had a romantic relationship in the past. Crawford worked with Swann throughout his time researching other life in outer space, and she was also aware of Clark Kent's alien origin. She travels to Smallville to give Martha Kent some advice on how to help free her son from a drone-state that he was suffering under. Crawford returned a few episodes later, but her character was then killed off.
Margot Kidder played Lois Lane in the four Superman movies that starred Christopher Reeve. Originally, the writers had planned to have Kidder and Reeve appear together, thus reuniting this Lois and Clark from 35 years prior. Unfortunately, Christopher Reeve died before this reunion could take place.
Kidder's appearance on Smallville did provide viewers with another interesting reunion-"lite" though! Following the release of Superman II, Kidder criticized the producers of the film for firing director Richard Donner. As a result, her role in Superman III was reduced to two small bookend appearances at the beginning and end of the movie. The rest of the film, her character was said to be on vacation in Bermuda. In Superman III, Clark returns to Smallville for a High School reunion. While there, he reunites with his childhood sweetheart, Lana Lang. Lana was played by actress Anette O'Toole... the same actress now playing Ma Kent on Smallville! O'Toole pretty much replaced Kidder in Superman III, and the two shared just a brief scene together at the end of the film when Lois returns from vacation, and it's revealed that Perry White has hired Lana to be his new secretary.
Crawford was an assistant and emissary for Dr. Virgil Swann. It is hinted that they may have had a romantic relationship in the past. Crawford worked with Swann throughout his time researching other life in outer space, and she was also aware of Clark Kent's alien origin. She travels to Smallville to give Martha Kent some advice on how to help free her son from a drone-state that he was suffering under. Crawford returned a few episodes later, but her character was then killed off.
Margot Kidder played Lois Lane in the four Superman movies that starred Christopher Reeve. Originally, the writers had planned to have Kidder and Reeve appear together, thus reuniting this Lois and Clark from 35 years prior. Unfortunately, Christopher Reeve died before this reunion could take place.
Kidder's appearance on Smallville did provide viewers with another interesting reunion-"lite" though! Following the release of Superman II, Kidder criticized the producers of the film for firing director Richard Donner. As a result, her role in Superman III was reduced to two small bookend appearances at the beginning and end of the movie. The rest of the film, her character was said to be on vacation in Bermuda. In Superman III, Clark returns to Smallville for a High School reunion. While there, he reunites with his childhood sweetheart, Lana Lang. Lana was played by actress Anette O'Toole... the same actress now playing Ma Kent on Smallville! O'Toole pretty much replaced Kidder in Superman III, and the two shared just a brief scene together at the end of the film when Lois returns from vacation, and it's revealed that Perry White has hired Lana to be his new secretary.
DEAN CAIN
Cain appeared in one episode of Smallville in season 7. He played Dr. Curtis Knox, a doctor who was purported to be able to cure meteor freaks (the term often applied to all the many people affected by portions of the green meteorite that accompanied Clark's rocket arrival in Smallville. In fact, Dr. Curtis was actually murdering these people and transplanting their kryptonite-infected organs into his dying wife in the hopes of keeping her alive. He claims to have been alive for over 1000 years. After being defeated by Clark, he is handed over to the Martian Manhunter and is never heard from again.
Dean Cain is considered a legacy because he is among that small and elite group of actors who have portrayed Clark Kent/Superman. Cain played this dual role for four seasons on the ABC drama Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. The show was a fresh take on the characters of Lois and Clark, making them sexy and modern, and it aired from 1993 to 1997.
Cain appeared in one episode of Smallville in season 7. He played Dr. Curtis Knox, a doctor who was purported to be able to cure meteor freaks (the term often applied to all the many people affected by portions of the green meteorite that accompanied Clark's rocket arrival in Smallville. In fact, Dr. Curtis was actually murdering these people and transplanting their kryptonite-infected organs into his dying wife in the hopes of keeping her alive. He claims to have been alive for over 1000 years. After being defeated by Clark, he is handed over to the Martian Manhunter and is never heard from again.
Dean Cain is considered a legacy because he is among that small and elite group of actors who have portrayed Clark Kent/Superman. Cain played this dual role for four seasons on the ABC drama Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. The show was a fresh take on the characters of Lois and Clark, making them sexy and modern, and it aired from 1993 to 1997.
HELEN SLATER
Ms. Slater made an appearance in three episodes of Smallville. She appeared as Clark's Kryptonion mother, Lara-El, in two episodes in season 7 and in another episode in season 10.
Clark and his cousin Kara (played by Laura Vandervoort) are able to interact with an AI clone of Lara, activated by a blue crystal in the Fortress of Solitude. Unfortunately, unlocking Lara also unleashes a clone of her evil brother-in-law, Zor-El. He immediately sets out to defeat them and take over Earth. Clark and Kara manage to stop him for a while using green kryptonite, but it’s only temporary.
Realizing the danger, Lara begs Clark to destroy the blue crystal so the Zor-El clone will be wiped out for good. He does, but destroying the crystal also causes Lara’s AI clone to fade away.
Lara appears again in season 10, this time only through a recording she and Jor-El made during Krypton’s final hours, expressing their love for their son before sending him to Earth.
Slater is a legacy star by virtue of her portrayal of Kara/Supergirl in the 1984 motion picture Supergirl. While Slater's performance was generally very well received, the movie itself was not. Slater went on to appear in many successful films, including Ruthless People, The Legend of Billie Jean, Secret of My Success, and City Slickers.Helen's appearances in the season 7 episodes were a double delight as, not only was she a legacy, but she also appeared on screen with Laura Vandervoort, who was playing the same Kara character she had played over 30 years earlier!
TERI HATCHER
Hatcher appeared in just one episode of Smallville in season 10. She played Ella Lane, the mother of Lois Lane.
Ella made several video recordings of herself years prior, and they were given to Lois (played by Erica Durance) by her dad. Through the tapes, Lois learns more about her mother and why she was not part of her life when she was growing up. The tapes provide Lois with a new perspective on her mother and on relationships (and the sacrifices they can require) in general.
Teri Hatcher is a legacy guest because she played Lois Lane for four seasons on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993 to 1997). As previously noted, this series sought to update the characters into a modern, internet-savvy, and progressive world. Teri went on to be an Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress for her work on her following series, Desperate Housewives.
Hatcher's portrayal as Lois Lane's mother on Smallville was a double legacy gratification for long-time fans of the Superman mythos. You see, back when Teri was playing Lois Lane on Lois & Clark, Phyllis Coates was a guest star as her mother. Phyllis Coates was the original actress to play Lois Lane on the 1950s series, The Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves. This was a very awesome passing of the legacy baton!
Teri Hatcher is a legacy guest because she played Lois Lane for four seasons on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993 to 1997). As previously noted, this series sought to update the characters into a modern, internet-savvy, and progressive world. Teri went on to be an Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress for her work on her following series, Desperate Housewives.
Hatcher's portrayal as Lois Lane's mother on Smallville was a double legacy gratification for long-time fans of the Superman mythos. You see, back when Teri was playing Lois Lane on Lois & Clark, Phyllis Coates was a guest star as her mother. Phyllis Coates was the original actress to play Lois Lane on the 1950s series, The Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves. This was a very awesome passing of the legacy baton!
MARC MCCLURE
McClure appeared in a season 7 episode of Smallville as Dax-Ur.
Dax-Ur was a Kryptonian who traveled to Earth long before Jor-El and Lara sent their son rocketing to our planet. After creating a device that he knew might lead to the destruction of Krypton, he traveled to Earth and banished himself here. When he discovered how mighty his Kryptonian physique was under the yellow sun of Earth, he feared he might misuse his amazing abilities, so he voluntarily subjected himself to the rays of some blue kryptonite. This permanently robbed him of the powers that Kryptonians gain when exposed to Earth's yellow sun. He met a human woman named Grace, married her, and they had a son. He voluntarily gave up his Kryptonian heritage to live a "normal" life on Earth.
Marc McClure's legacy in the DC universe is the result of his having portrayed young journalist-wanna-be and junior Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen in not only all four of the Superman (Christopher Reeve) films released from 1978 through 1987, but also being the only character from those films to provide a continuity to the Supergirl movie released in 1984.
So there you have it! The Legacy-Guest Star Tour comes to its end. Kudos to the Smallville's creators and producers, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, for giving us fan folk, these rewarding casting moments.
All characters, names, elements, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of DC Comics, Inc.
Smallville is the property of Warner Brothers Television.
All characters, names, elements, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of DC Comics, Inc.
Smallville is the property of Warner Brothers Television.
No comments:
Post a Comment