Reviewers often debate whether the show could have matched the longevity of Smallville .
“The pilot was found comparable in quality to Smallville, with suggestions that Aquaman was indeed worthy of a place on The CW's schedule.” Wikipedia
: The idea was sparked by the high ratings of the Smallville Season 5 episode "Aqua". Although Alan Ritchson played Aquaman in that episode, the creators chose to recast the role with Justin Hartley for the pilot to establish it as its own standalone universe. Cast & Crew : Justin Hartley : Arthur "A.C." Curry / Orin.
: Tom Curry, A.C.’s adoptive father and Coast Guard officer. Adrianne Palicki : Nadia, the Siren villain.
: Boasting a significant $7 million budget for a single episode, the pilot featured extensive underwater filming in Florida and high-end visual effects by Entity FX. The Legacy of "Aquaman.2006.Pilot.avi"
: McCaffery, an Atlantean mentor disguised as a lighthouse keeper.