Crisis on Infinite Earths almost had another Smallville veteran return for this year's Arrowverse crossover. The five-part saga is approaching as The CW's DC TV franchise gets ready for its most ambitious crossover yet. The event, based on the iconic DC Comics storyline, will bring all of Greg Berlanti's DC shows on The CW together in order to save the Multiverse. With Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, and Black Lightning, the story will also honor past DC media. Prior to Berlanti's DC shows, Smallville was the network's flagship series, and still remains the longest-running DC drama to this date.
The upcoming crossover is set to feature the return of Tom Welling and Erica Durance respectively as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane, and their return will address what happened after Smallville's conclusion in 2011. Welling and Durance are only a few of the many announced guests who will reprise their respective DC characters from past DC TV shows. According to executive producer Marc Guggenheim, there are still several more surprises in store for the fans. Other than Welling and Durance, the crossover will reportedly not feature any more Smallville characters, but they did almost manage to bring back another of the Justice League characters from the ten-year running series.
In a new interview with Collider, Titans star Alan Ritchson said there were plans to bring his Smallville character back. Having played Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman, Crisis on Infinite Earths almost had the King of Atlantis return. Ritchson, who stars as Hank Hall a.k.a. Hawk in the DC Universe series, portrayed the iconic Justice League member for a handful of episodes. Despite their efforts of getting Ritchson in for an appearance, production schedules were ultimately the factor that prevented him from reprising his Aquaman role. When speaking about having to pass on the invitation, Ritchson expressed his excitement for Crisis on Infinite Earths as a fan.
They did reach out to me. We tried to work it out. We were shooting and it was a very difficult schedule for us. We were shooting three episodes at once all the time. I would have had to leave the country and come back in to get a permit specifically for that show. I did want to participate. We tried to work it out. I’m happy that everybody is getting to come back. I’m especially happy for the fans. That’s why we do this. Those shows are like a bonanza for the fans. I wish I could have been a part of it.
Ritchson isn't the only Smallville alum the Arrowverse team tried to recruit. Michael Rosenbaum, who played Lex Luthor for seven years on the Clark Kent drama, was approached to partake in the five-part Crisis crossover event, but eventually reportedly ended up passing on the offer when Warner Brothers was restrictive with sharing details such as filming dates, story plots, and salary specifics. With the studio demanding an answer right away, Rosenbaum declined to join his fellow Smallville co-stars for Crisis on Infinite Earths.
With the Arrowverse having only briefly hinted at Aquaman's existence, having had Ritchson come back would have been a treat for long-time viewers. Aquaman still remains as one of the few Justice League characters who have yet to appear on any of the ongoing shows, and it remains to be seen if the Arrowverse producers tried to recruit other Smallville talent for Crisis on Infinite Earths, but couldn't for various reasons.
Source: Collider