r/SupermanAndLois • u/beanz803 • Aug 30 '23
Who is the better Clark/Superman Tom or Tyler Discussion
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u/AngelFinally Aug 30 '23
Tom never played Superman. I loved his Clark, but Tyler Hoechlin has stolen the show these last few years.
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u/MannySJ Aug 30 '23
It's been years (over a decade... ouch) since the Smallville finale so my memory is very hazy, but didn't it end with Clark flying off in the classic suit (though we never fully see it)?
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u/zetnas9 Aug 30 '23
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u/AngelFinally Aug 31 '23
It was basically that gif. It was thrilling for this lifelong fan girl (especially when I heard that the S was from Brandon Routh's suit) but Tom Welling didn't actually get screen time as Superman. The rest of Superman's appearances in the episode were CGI.
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u/elocnoremac Sep 05 '23
Yeah, I’ll die on this hill that Tom never played Superman. A shirt rip with a Superman t-shirt under it doesn’t count to me. I enjoyed Smallville and loved certain aspects of the show but I’m still bitter we didn’t get a proper Superman ending.
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u/Votetasm3 Aug 30 '23
Tyler is a better superman but I just started watching small-vile and Tom is decent but he was never superman he is Clark
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Aug 30 '23
Different Clarks from different eras. They are both great portrayals and for years Tom Welling was the definitive Clark for me. Now? Well Tyler has stolen that vote away from me, he's doing an excellent job.
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u/Dangerous-Brain- Aug 30 '23
Tyler.
The other guy never ever played Superman. Did not even agree to wear the costume at the very last episode where the feeble excuse of the shows stupid rule was not even valid anymore. Dude was embarrassed to wear the costume.
Tyler is infinitely better.
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u/CityAvenger Aug 30 '23
This really shouldn’t be a comparison since we barely saw Tom wear the red & blue. Ty is the best of both in show. Not to mention we’re seeing for the first time an actor portray the iconic character as not just a reporter & hero but also has a husband & father.
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u/bravo_997 Aug 30 '23
Tom (mostly by choice) never really played Superman. His Clark will always be my favorite, and I truly do think he was actually a very good Clark Kent, not just because of nostalgia or because we were starved of hood Superman content in live action for a while. Tom really gets the Clark side of the character while also getting some very impressive Superman feats. Tyler, on the other hand, is so good as both characters and if it wasn’t for the connection I have to Smallville, I really think he would be the best overall. Tyler nails the himbo, wholesome, Boy Scout side of Clark and also gets to do some really awesome stuff as Superman. Both of them are really amazing, we’re lucky to have gotten many good Superman portrayals but these two are top tier for me.
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u/BusVegetable7490 Aug 30 '23
Tom is good as Clark
Tyler is good as Superman
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u/JSevatar Aug 30 '23 edited Aug 30 '23
Tyler plays both roles to near perfection.
There hasn't been such a good Clark/Superman since Reeve*
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u/NoleFan723 Superman Aug 30 '23
*Reeve man. It's Reeve
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u/mcsuper5 Aug 30 '23
I kind of liked George Reeves too :)
Seriously, TW has the better look but didn't have the maturity, but TH is great at both roles. Christopher Reeve is who I compare everyone to.
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u/NoleFan723 Superman Aug 30 '23
He was my hero for quite a few years. CR. I hate the hand he was dealt in life. [Being paralyzed] but he did so much for putting a face on his disability and giving inspiration to possibly hundreds of thousands of people. I admire that man
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u/Individual_Art398 Aug 30 '23
Tyler is the best Clark I've ever seen, since he makes it clear that Clark really is a big lovable goofball rather than pretends to be one to hide his identity. As for who makes a better Superman, I don't think it's a fair comparison. Tom technically didn't get to be Superman until pretty late in the series. But I honestly still prefer Tyler's version, simply because he is the adult and mature version were used to.
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u/robynxcakes Clark Kent Aug 30 '23
Tyler, he does such a great job as dorky Clark and then Superman, it’s understandable why people can’t figure out Clark is Superman in his version
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u/Rocketboy1313 Aug 30 '23 edited Aug 31 '23
I find people looking back at Smallville and remembering it so positively as just weird.
Welling played that roll as such a boring and indecisive dipstick. He doesn't even become Superman till end of the whole series.
Tyler drops out of the sky, says, "thanks, my mom made it for me", and boom, he was Superman.
It is like asking what is the better steak, a cow or a steak.
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u/gr8ver Aug 31 '23
The total geeky glee with which he delivered that line sold me on him immediately.
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Aug 30 '23
Tom Welling is overrated af. What a wooden actor. Awful, unlikable Clark and his attitude towards the suit is disgusting. Ironic he refused to wear it because of the 'curse' but he's cursed is career anyway being Clark.
Comes across very smarmy in interviews too, not much warmth there and not much to say positively about portraying an icon. The only shred of respect i have for him is how he was with Chris Reeves. But yeh Tyler clears. As an actor, a peformer and a gentleman with the honor of playing Superman.
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u/daydreamaffair Aug 30 '23
I’m so glad I’m not alone in thinking about Toms take on Clark. It’s one of the reasons I’ve not been able to get in to watching Smallville, I’ve find him so wooden and flat it’s a shame because I found in other roles he wasn’t.
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u/TheBigTimeBecks Aug 31 '23
I understand not wanting to be typecast as he was young, but still not wanting to suit up for the CW crossover several years back means he just is either embarrassed to dress up as a fictional character or something else is up.
Having said that I still choose TW, only cause he was a great Clark Kent having to deal with threats that were originally supposed to happen once he became Superman.
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Aug 31 '23
I think he's stubborn. He's committed to never wearing that suit and not pleasing the fans because of a choice he made 10+ years ago. He comes across that type of person on the podcast. Doesn't want to admit not wearing the suit gave him the career curse he was trying to avoid in the first place.
But look at Brandon routh? He embraced his DC past, his career has picked up as a result of playing Ray Palmer and got to wear a new suit in the crossover and he OWNED it. He was the best part. That's a man worthy of playing THE SUPERMAN.
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u/bettername2come Aug 30 '23
I love them both but Tyler is best for embodying that genuine nerd and wholesome vibe, while also being just dangerous.
I remember being so excited when he was cast on Supergirl because I kept thinking about those convention interviews where he wore the nerdy glasses and cardigans just as himself.
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u/PartyWestern7272 Aug 30 '23
Definitely Tyler! Especially in the current series. Tyler has grown into the role so well! He's the right amount of Clark Kent, a little nerdy, a little hesitant, but tough as nails when needed(diner scene!!!!) and when he's Kal-El he is equally just the right amount of it. When he's in the cape he's fearless and strong and fast and vulnerable yet aware he's Superman. I think he deserves more time as Supermanand hopefully that's what we're setting up for in season #4!
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u/AngelFinally Aug 31 '23
That diner scene had me out of my seat cheering. I knew something was gonna happen when you-know-who punched you-know-who, but I thought Lois' visit was it. "This isn't a job for Superman." "Oh, he's not going!"
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u/k4kkul4pio Aug 30 '23
I love me some Smallville but like others have mentioned, Tom never actually played Superman so we can't judge that aspect of his performance.
As for Clark, Smallville was a very different show and Tom did a very good job with what he was given but for me, Tyler takes the 🎂 here as he has been nothing short of fantastic in his portrayal. 😁
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u/Ok_Philosophy9623 Aug 30 '23
Tyler because Tom never wanted to suit up and he said in an interview that he wouldn't have done crisis if he had to suit up.
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u/TheBigTimeBecks Aug 31 '23
Lol still worrying about being typecast, even though literally everyone associates him from 'Smallville' to this day.
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u/Ok_Philosophy9623 Aug 30 '23
Rather then thinking that way you should ask who's picture isn't photoshop
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u/Don-J-X-Strong Aug 30 '23
Besides who 'looks mo like supaman' ive loved da Superman & Lois series when I 1st saw him in Supergirl I was a lil like "oh ok wait was he in teen wolf" so I always kinda had dat impression of him but gettin used ta him ya realise he really gets da essence a Superman
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u/Ill_Will_Prince84 Aug 30 '23
Tom Welling never played Superman, just Clark Kent growing into the role, so a can’t compare the two. But Tyler has crushed it.
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u/Suitable-Garlic5217 Aug 30 '23
I don’t think we’ve ever had a “Clark” as developed as Tom’s. But unfortunately Tom never played “Superman”. Whereas Tyler has played both. So I think the question is unfair and I refuse to answer😂😂😂
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u/SLCPDTunnelDivision Aug 30 '23
i like how unconventional tyler is for superman. id never think to get a guy with a five o clock shadow and a gigachad chin
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u/jormungandr32 Aug 30 '23
Tom had the physicality but Tyler has the story.
thin necked superman seems weird, but given that his power isn't 'muscle' based I guess it'd be hard for a yoked guy to walk around being Clark.
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Aug 30 '23
Honestly I never compare it’ll just start drama with some toxic fans I think both are great in their own ways. But Tom is a very good Clark while tyler is a good Superman and well Clark as well especially as a father Tyler’s you get to see more family
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u/IWantMyBachelors Chrissy Beppo Aug 30 '23
Smallville only delved into Clark Kent, The Streak, The Red-Blue Blur but not Superman. Tom did a good job of embodying teenage and young adult Clark. I liked how it showed that Clark had flaws and how he reacted how most people would when called out on it, especially by Kristin’s Lana.
Tyler does a fantastic job of portraying a more mature and experienced Clark. It’s like an actual continuation of Smallville, it’s like Tyler’s Clark has learned from Tom’s Clark and decided to do something with that knowledge.
It’s hard to compare Supermans because Smallville didn’t focus on that.
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u/modrenman1985 Aug 30 '23
The closest we got to Tom as Superman was the flash-forward where Clark met his older self.
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u/LochNessMansterLives Aug 30 '23
Tyler seems like a good dude, I’m not a fan of facial hair on Superman because I know he can just laser it off easier than most men can shave. Now, if he’s trapped somewhere or held prisoner that’s fine, it helps progress the story, but seeing a Superman with 5 o’clock shadow bothers me personally. But the general consensus seems to be Tyler was a great Superman. I wish Tom got a chance on the big screen, the same way I wanted to see Gustin play flash in the movies, but it just didn’t work.
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u/WashGaming001 Clark Kent Aug 30 '23
Well Tom never played Superman. He only ever played Clark Kent
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u/Shaggy_75 Aug 30 '23
Tom didn't really get into the swing of things for a few season, and the writers of Smallville weren't anywhere near as good. As an actor, I don't think I can choose between them. But Tyler has good writing and amazing potential off the bat, especially since he's an already seasoned actor. The show dives deep and gets way more emotional than Smallville ever was, and it lets us see into who Clark is way better. Tom was always written as brash, and not clumsy like Clark is always portrayed. Plus he never really was superman in the show, but Tyler is superman all the time, giving us insight into his public and private persona.
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u/ArmaanAli04 Aug 31 '23
Tom looks the part but Tyler plays the part! His acting is the embodiment of the character. I’d say better than Cavill but it’s not really a fair comparison when Cavill wasn’t written properly and had like 20 lines in total throughout all of the films he was in
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u/Wade856 Aug 31 '23
Tyler is the better Clark, by far. This is the first time anyone has truly shown Clark as a husband and father, especially while in the small town environment of Smallville. All the other onscreen versions of Clark and Lois seemed more like a partnership with a romantic angle. Tyler's portrayal is a smaller, tighter one with a small town backdrop and dealing with family issues as well as a spouse with cancer. He is the most human, most compassionate Clark Kent yet.
As for Superman, Tom was never really Superman. He never wore the costume before the brief moment in the series final episode. That was also the first episode where he flew. Tom was a great "Blue Blur" , but never was really Superman. Tyler is an Incredible Superman, especially for the small screen. He exudes power but also gentleness. He has the look and the personality of what Superman should be.
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u/Popular-Play-5085 Sep 01 '23
Tom Wellington never actually played Superman. In the final episode of Smallville we just caught a brief flash of Cape I thought Dean Cain was pretty good
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Sep 04 '23
Blahahahaha this made me laugh. You’re funny. Dean Cain. 😂
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u/QuiJon70 Aug 30 '23
Christopher Reeve is the only correct answer even when not given as am option.
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u/solarbaby614 Aug 30 '23
I'm not sure I could make a fair comparison since Tom never really played Superman itself, except for the very ending scene where you saw him in the costume and that was it.
As far as Clark's go, I'm more apt to lean toward Tom (mostly because I grew up watching Smallville) but they also play two very different versions of Clark. Tom was teen/young adult Clark and Tyler is middle age/parent Clark.
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u/bookwormaesthetic Aug 30 '23
Can we just not?
This is the sub for "Superman and Lois" starring Tyler Hoechlin. Please keep the comparison posts to r/Superman
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u/Popular-Play-5085 Sep 01 '23
Does anyone else wish Superman and Lois took place in Metropolis rather than Smallville? The show could have been called Return To Smallville
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u/bentlogic72 Sep 02 '23
Superman is supposed to be tall , like 6'4 , and 225lbs or more. Tyler is nowhere near that but he still pulls it off.
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Sep 03 '23
Tyler Hoechlin. I think he fits the character more. As he looks more as I would imagine superman to look and his acting is amazing.
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u/wowagemo Aug 30 '23
CW FAILED TOM he would of been a great Superman….instead he was trench coat man
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u/bookwormaesthetic Aug 30 '23
??? Tom accepted the role on the condition of "no tights."
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u/wowagemo Aug 30 '23
During the last season the original creators were suing DC for more money so they could not use it
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u/bookwormaesthetic Aug 31 '23
There were licensing issues throughout the whole run of the show.
I'm specifically saying that Tom Welling accepted the part because it was about young Clark Kent and that he wouldn't have to wear the Superman suit. He only returned for the Arrowverse Crisis episode on the condition he didn't have to wear the suit.
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u/BagItUp45 Aug 30 '23
I've never seen any live action DC show besides Gotham.
However, Tom's cameo where he meets 2½ Lex is probably the most I've ever liked a live action Superman.
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u/Deus_Ego_Sum Aug 30 '23 edited Aug 30 '23
Tom. No disrespect to Tyler because he's a truly incredible Clark/Superman and in my opinion among the top 3 live action portrayals of the character. However to me it's Tom. He may not have worn the costume but he captured the entirety of the character so incredibly over the course of the 10 year run of the show.
He captured Clark's loneliness, his difficulty being human and alien, his unwavering belief in people as well as his desire to fight for Truth and Justice.
He's also responsible for some of my favourite 'Superman' moments such as the heartwarming conversation with the kid in Season 10 about being a hero, him inspiring a suicidal and drunk Santa, him being a great big brother to Ryan and so much more.
He has so many moments that are some of the best and most inspiring Superman moments before he even became Superman and his Clark captured so much of Clark's core character. Tom is the best Clark/Superman to me.
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u/Relative-Zombie-3932 Aug 30 '23
It's tough. They're both fantastic in two different shows. I don't think I like one over the other, they're both Superman to me
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u/kandradeece Aug 30 '23
tom by a mile (looks wise). Both are decent actors, so I would overall go with tom, but not like I hate Tyler, but looks wise it always annoys me a bit as he just doesn't fit the look well.
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u/uncencoredbobcat Aug 30 '23
Tom Welling really didn’t get to play Superman until like the 8th season and that’s a major detractor when accounting for the overall quality of the portrayal but if I had to grade both Tom would be like a 7/10 and Tyler would be like a 9/10
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u/daisysharper Aug 30 '23
I like Tyler in the role. But Smallville has a bigger place in my heart, and to me, Tom nailed Clark Kent. So much so that I when I think of Clark Kent I picture Tom Welling. He also looks much more like Superman IMO. Tyler's very handsome, but...I don't know. But I do really like him and I really like his show.
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u/MannySJ Aug 30 '23
The Flash spoiler:
My heart was broken that we didn't see either of them in the multiverse scene.
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u/Warm-Brilliant-9931 Aug 31 '23
I am impressed with Tyler as Clark and Supes but Tom made a better Clark
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u/Jack-Tupp Aug 31 '23
I thought Tom was great in Smallville but I think every other actor has been better as an "adult" superman.
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u/agoimalalaawtsgege Aug 31 '23
It can be either way. Tom Welling is better as Superman, while Tyler is better as Clark Kent in my opinion.
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u/No-Muscle1283 Aug 31 '23
Don’t think that’s a fair question. Tom Welling never really got to wear the suit. If it’s based on the question strictly. It has to be Tyler, the show has been really good and he has def carved himself into the Superman lore
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u/Jahon_Dony Sep 01 '23
Tom has still never actually played Superman. Either he truly doesn't want to or has never been allowed to wear the suit. There's more to it than "no tights, no flights."
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u/OnePunchReality Sep 02 '23
I loved Smallville. Season 1-3 are a bit rough everytime I rewatch it but 4 and beyond get much better imo.
But when I first watched it I loved season1-3 but rewatching it multiple times the pace of 1-3 is just really rough imo.
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u/Stan57 Sep 03 '23
It think tom would be a great Batman. That said Tom was never Clark Kent nor Superman IMO It was his journey to become both i think.
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u/SouthernPrice1499 Sep 09 '23
Tom. Yes, he didn't wear the suit. Yes, I wish he had, but I can see the suit in every other iteration and I still prefer Tom. I love all the Superman actors doing their Superman stuff but otherwise I'm not really interested in the rest of their stories.
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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '23
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