James Marsters: Can James Marsters be back as Brainiac in the rumored Smallville sequel? Speculations explored

The possibility of James Marsters reprising his role as Brainiac in the rumored sequel of Smallville has been an exciting topic among fans. This animated sequel is being developed by Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum and will continue the wonderful story of Clark Kent and his adventures.

While the project is still in its early stages and has not been officially greenlit, Marsters has expressed a strong desire to return to the character that he portrayed during the original series. His involvement could add depth to the sequel, especially considering Brainiac's complex relationship with Superman.

Background on Smallville and Brainiac

Smallville is an American series that aired from 2001 until 2011. It deals with the life of Clark Kent before becoming Superman. Throughout its run, it featured a range of characters from the DC universe, among whom was Brainiac, portrayed by James Marsters since season five.

He is one of the most iconic adversaries of Superman. Brainiac is a character conceptualized by Jor-El and possesses elements of intelligence as well as malice. Marsters' performance as Brainiac won him the role of one of the series' most popular villains.

He then appeared as Brainiac 5 in later seasons, bringing to the show another side of the character. The animated sequel is going to explore new stories and potentially revisit some characters. Fans await more information; the question remains: Will Marsters come back as Brainiac?

James Marsters's interest in returning

James Marsters has said he would be happy to return as Brainiac in the Smallville sequel. During an interview with Screen Rant in September 2024, he stated that he was eager to reprise a character he called one of the smartest portrayals of Superman's enemies.

When asked if he would return for the sequel, Marsters replied:

"Oh, yes, definitely. Definitely".

His interest goes beyond just playing Brainiac; he is also willing to reprise the role of Brainiac 5, implying that both can coexist in the animated form. Marsters' return can open up scope for more intense storytelling.

The animated series could delve into how Brainiac evolves or how his relationship with other characters develops, particularly with Supergirl. Portraying both versions of Brainiac is very interesting and will open up so many narrative options for the sequel.

Current status of the Smallville Sequel

At present, the Smallville animated sequel is in development but not yet officially greenlit by Warner Bros. Tom Welling has recently addressed this issue during an interview at Comic Con Stockholm. He said that he and Rosenbaum have pitched their ideas but have yet to receive a response from the studio.

New York Comic Con 2024 - Day 3 - Source: Getty

According to Welling, the excitement and interest shown by the cast and the fans of the series do not influence unless Warner Bros. approves of the idea. The modern landscape of DC Studios under James Gunn could also inform the potential schedule for this production.

With so much shifting in DC's film and television approach, it is unclear how long it might take to pull off a Smallville revival. Still, Welling's public eagerness to see it happen highlights an important want to bring the beloved show back.

While no confirmation is made as to whether James Marsters will reprise his role as Brainiac in the sequel, the excitement about reprising the iconic role by the actor adds more energy to the possible project. The animated sequel would provide the chance to see favorite characters and continue the storylines of the Smallville universe.

Fans hope that Warner Bros. will give the go-ahead to this project soon so they can see their favorite characters again on screen. As things start to happen, both Marsters and Welling's commitment point to a promising future for Smallville fans.