We’ve been reporting for some time now that Smallville was slated to run an end game in Season 8, making it their final season. Season 8 is moving along pretty well so far and as in some rare scenarios, the success of a final season can sometimes change the minds of network execs.
Face it, cash cows are hard to let go of sometimes.
Rumors or hopes have been floating around the internet that some folks would like to see the show continued. Some fans want to see a spin-off into a Green Arrow series, others want to see Batman and Wonder Woman breeze through the 9th season or various other scenarios.
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Of course we’ve all heard the news on how The CW is panhandling the DC universe to the max, hoping to extend its cash cow potential with an origin show of Dick Grayson called The Graysons. So far, no one I know is too enthused about this weak premise. But it is what it is and they will either create such a compelling show that we’ll like it, or we’ll be sending them lots of nasty letters in robin’s-egg-blue colored envelopes. Heh… not that I’m suggesting anything.
In the meantime, an offshoot site of the well known KryptonSite, got themselves a note from Smallville’s executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders where they intimate the possibility of a Smallville Season 9.
Yep, you read right. A 9th season.
They said that they are very committed to creating an origins story of Dick Grayson and they are equally committed to continuing the success of Smallville – seasons 8 and 9.
Right after that statement, they toss out that they are working on a story for Clark that allows for seasons of further trials and adventures. Ah, folks, you just brought in Doomsday (the character who in the comics killed Superman). I halfheartedly expect the show to end with Doomsday. But that’s just me.
So they got me to wondering and away I went, scouring the web and getting all tangled up in searches. And what did I find?
First off, they’ll have to juggle schedules since Erica Durance (Lois Lane) has at least two projects coming up, and Aaron Ashmore (Jimmy Olsen) has some upcoming work as well. Justin Hartley has two projects done and coming out, so I can surmise the possibility of future employment for him. Otherwise, the majority of the staff is free… for now.
Here’s my own predicament: I’ve seen a post that says: “The President of the CW Network has stated that Season 8 might not be the last season for Smallville” but their reference link does not point to anything that substantiates that statement.
In an interview over on Collider.com with Brian Wayne Peterson and Kelly Souders (two of the executive producers), they said that they and the cast would love a season 9 but are prepared to write an end story arc for the last several episodes of a season, if given enough of a heads up to be able to do it.
For me, I feel like I’ve just been tossed a red herring.
Not once have I seen a statement saying that season 9 is approved, hinted at, a go, nothing. It’s as if I was talking about winning the lottery, as if it’s going to happen. I feel like it’s a hopeful statement by the creative team of Smallville and nothing more. I came across one of the many Smallville bulletin boards out there, and almost to a tee, the sentiment on a 9th season is… let me paraphrase: “Noooo!”
Heck while the creative team keeps dropping bread crumbs about another season, some wonder if the CW is even going to around for another season itself. It probably will with shows like 90210 and such keeping it afloat.
Am I off the mark on this one, or am I just being my usual dour, suspicious self? What are your thoughts on the matter?
Sources: IMDB.com, KryptonSite
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168 Comments
“What are your thoughts on the matter?”
If the show’s doing as well ratings wise as it sounds, it will probably be picked up for another season. As for a finalizing story arc, I suspect the writers/producers will be lucky to get the kind of notice they’d need.
As for how I feel about the possibility: I feel Smallville has been around for 8 seasons too many as it is.
Obviously a season 9 would be nice for fans of the show IF they keep it pressing the envelope and entertaining. The main problem with continuing with this program? uhm…..well……….. clark does eventually grow up into superman folks. Do any of us really want to see a 40 year old superBOY who still can’t fly and isn’t in his tights yet?
On another note I really can’t believe CW would go with a “spin off” based on…… Robin??? uhm hello? CW execs? You have had the perfect spin offs already written into your cash cow. Have we seen ANYthing that even remotely hinted at Robin in the show? no. We HAVE, however, seen the intros of several MUCH more interesting and iconic heroes as opposed to a side kick. Young Flash anyone? Young Green Arrow? Cyborg? Aquaman? HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO! Anyone else see the prospects of maybe something along the lines of a young justice league series……..? With everyone clamoring for a Justice League movie and the Avengers looming on the horizon for Marvel you would THINK that the execs over there just MIGHT use that as a feeler to see just how prosperous that Justice League motion picture might be.
My concern is, if they do hop over that shark, that next season will be very trying with our patience. They have touched on so many different characters from the Supes mythos that they’re running out of options.
I’ve seen rumors that Darkseid (sp?) is possibly going to show up this season. Are they going to start him out as a human too, like Doomsday. Arggh… I can’t believe they’ve made Doomsday human.
It’s a totally different character than the name sake suggests. So annoying.
I heard about his possibilty months ago.
Go out with some great stories this season and shut it down once and for all.
“Go out with some great stories this season and shut it down once and for all.”
What he said.
Vic
I’m not reading this in detail due to fear of spoilers. I just started watching the show and am nearly done season 3.
I say, more the merrier! However, I’m 5 seasons behind sooo…my opinion doesn’t count
A 9th season will depend on several things – Tom Welling re-signing, ratings, and the network’s survival.
Quote: Here’s my own predicament: I’ve seen a post that says: “The President of the CW Network has stated that Season 8 might not be the last season for Smallville” but their reference link does not point to anything that substantiates that statement.
Quote: Not once have I seen a statement saying that season 9 is approved, hinted at, a go, nothing.
It’s from the upfronts last May. The article you’re looking for is this one from the Hollywood Reporter:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3if3fffea889ebf866ff690c7ecc62ca80
The exact quote is this:
“Reaper” won’t necessarily air on Thursdays, she [Dawn Ostroff] said. As for the perception that the upcoming season will be the last for “Smallville” — not very accurate.
Sunflower: Thank you for the details.
The link they provided, (The same one you provided) dumps me into a screen that says this info is for subscribers only.
Appreciate the fill in.
With that said, since the original duo of creators left, a lot is being changed about the show. And we see that no one is committing to any direction as to what the show will or will not be doing.
I get it from the networks point of view. Milk the cow. But I think someone needs to actually take a stand instead of delivering a consistent string of innuendo’s.
At this rate, I feel like I’m dealing with the Sci-Fi channel!
Well I think it would be good in a way and not good in a way. What and I mean, id like to see more Smallville because it’s good but you need more interesting things such as when is Clark ganna get freeze breath and when is he goanna except his destiny and learn to fly ( I’ve been waiting for ages). I would like to see more Martha Kent and see if u can get Michael rosenbaum in for a final season or for a few episodes if possible because the show isn’t good with out a Lex Luther
I also believe that if you were ganna make him put his suit on it would be best for the second last episode of the entire series even if it was season 8 or 9 so us fans get a feeling about what it is like. I would really like to see doomsday but it would just kill the whole thing if he showed up in Smallville.
I was thinking if you thought about making another TV series called metropolis because it is based on Clark Kent (superman) and he is living in the big city and it is actually about him fulfilling his destiny not excepting it. It would be good to put Michael Rosenbuam in this series and doomsday I this series as well.
CW executives aren’t too bright.
They didn’t re-up their highest rated show, WWE Smackdown. Why would they re-up their 2nd highest rated show, Smallville? The CW HAD a great thing going…too bad cronyism reared it’s ugly head and put dullards in charge.
News Flash: NEVER cancel your top 3 shows, no matter how long they’ve been on the air. As long as people are watching, you can sell ad time and promote your other shows. If CW continues down this path, they will end up where they belong…dead.
And the CW has already died in the past Paul, being that the CW is a merge of two networks that flailed about until they found the same life raft.
The CW needs this show, so if I had to guess, it will go on. It still pulls in 4 million viewers a week, which is there highest rated show. 90210 pulls in 3 mil viewers and they gave it a full season pickup!
If the show does continue into a 9th season I bet the season 8 cliffhanger is Doomsday killing Clark. I’m making this up myself but it makes since and Smallville is known for big season ending cliffhangers. If season 8 is it I think they will still have a big Clark vs. Doomsday battle, but I hope they don’t kill Clark. They will have too much story to cram into just a few episodes trying to end the series properly. The last few episodes need to be Clark learning to fly and embracing his destiny. Maybe they will kill him in episode 10. It is supposed to be a big mid season cliffhanger episode. That would be a good excuse to bring in the Legion of Superheros in episode 11. They come from the future to bring Clark back to life. Just thinking out loud, but that could be cool.
Season 8 rocks so far, if they keep going the way they are then I would love a season 9! Smallville always has been and always will be my favorite show and I say the more the better!
Gotta admit the show is better SO FAR this season. The new guys in charge are doing a decent job.
Vic
Bruce – it’s in the archives of the Hollywood Reporter since it’s been so long since the article originally came out. Use Bugmenot.com to get a password if you don’t want to register. Better yet, google “Hollywood Reporter” and find out how it’s considered one of the go-to places for info, like Variety.
When you post:
and
Please make sure you are accurate in your statements. You have now (by your own admission) been given the info TWICE. No one is jerking you around or giving out innuendoes. It has been reported by a VERY reliable source (Hollywood Reporter) that Dawn Ostroff specifically said it is a misnomer to assume Smallville will end at the end of its 8th season.
Now granted, this does not mean automatically that Smallville will have a 9th season, but the Smallville producers are NOT pulling it out of their asses (like you insinuate) the idea that they will continue to be around for a few more years to come.
Right Blue.
From my perspective, as I researched the information I did not see or get to the info as I was writing the article for you.
When I get a link that takes me to a subscription page that only tells me I need to subscribe, and my source does not have an alternative link, I tend to view that as material that the average Joe web surfer isn’t freely able to get to either.
I was reporting the info to you, as I was encountering it.
Thank you for the additional insights into researching information on the web Blue Sunflower. Excellent angles to be aware of! Indeed.
@Blue Sunflower
One throwaway comment on a password protected section of a website, in an interview that was entirely about another TV series (90210) does not invalidate Bruce’s statements.
There have been NUMEROUS interviews and statements that have ALL pointed to this being the final season for months. We’ve documented many of them here on Screen Rant.
So please get down off your high horse and cut Bruce some slack unless you can provide more “evidence” that this is in fact old news.
Vic
how about making smallville season 9- a superman series, I mean, even this season- he has moved to metropolis and does not live in smallville anymore- get him into a suit, with a face maks, i know, he is superman, but seeing as he has shown his unglassed face so much, I say he don’s a superman blue like uniform…
Bruce – It was free and widely available to the Average Joe back when it was posted (when Dawn said it at May upfronts), which was when everybody read it and hence linked it copied it everywhere – including Kryptonsite and Television Without Pity.
Just because you and Vic missed the party doesn’t mean the info is to be dismissed, or that the Smallville producers are saying what they are with absolutely no basis behind them. Sorry. It’s still a source, and since it’s the Hollywood Reporter, it’s a valid and important one at that.
If the producers ar ready with a possible
ending arc for the series ,
that means they have no defintive word on a season 9 and ending this year is still a possibilty.
We wil just have to wait and see .
The link on the Wiki is the original source of the quote from Dawn Ostroff about Season 9, but apparently now it is only accessible to subscribers of the Hollywood Reporter. Here is a new link with the content quoted.
http://www.mania.com/smallville-season-8-not-end_article_109613.html
Thanks.
Sigh. So Blue Sunflower, you seem to be defending that Hollywood Reporter is a valid source. I never questioned HR. But what I do question is that I could not confirm the information at the link. I like reading what others read to make sure their interpretation is accurate. Too many times someone reads between the lines and implies info that really isn’t there.
So as far as secondary sources quoting a reference I can’t confirm, well, that’s not my bag of tea. We tend to try and confirm the information before speaking on it. I know, silly me.
I felt it necessary to point out the info, but I could not confirm the info.
That, was my point. Since I have actually propagated the information with the side note that I could not confirm it, I must wonder:
What exactly is your point Blue Sunflower?
Mine was to let people know the info and possibility is out there, and not to send them to links they can’t read.
‘Nuff Said.
I am not Blue Sunflower, I am an Admin on the Smallville Wiki you quoted. The usefulness and integrity of the site is important to me, so I was actually appreciative that you pointed out the link was no longer valid. I did my best to find a backup source, for you and anybody else visiting the site, and provided it to you. That was my point. I’m sorry that Blue Sunflower is heckling you, but you don’t have to take it out on me.
Sorry Mariko… Not my intent to pick on you at all. I appreciated the additional link. That’s awesome. Thank you.
I’m not taking anything out on you. It’s not your fault your source locked up the content! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve referenced sources that toss out their old posts after so many months or days. Yahoo is good for that on their news articles. So I just tread carefully where possible.
Thank you for chiming in!
And it’s not your fault that for some reason, someone has to make moot points on information I’ve tried disseminating in the most accurate perspective at the time that I wrote my article.
Thanks for coming by Mariko. We appreciate everyone who does.
No worries. I hope that the site is more useful to you next time you visit.
That said– I’m not going to lie– if Clark and Chloe are a couple, I’ll watch the hell out of a ninth season!
@Blue Sunflower
What. Ever.
There was no “party” to miss. I’m sure I follow a LOT more TV/movie news sites than you do and that comment was barely a blip on the radar. If you do a Google search on a part of that quote you’ll find that with the exception of a tiny mention on SupermanHomepage.com, EVERY other instance of it being mentioned on other sites was on FORUMS, and NOT on the main site:
http://tinyurl.com/4n5al6
To find the actual quote within the context of the original article you have to pull up the cached version of the HR page, which I’ve done here:
http://tinyurl.com/4xbrsv
I encourage people to click on the second link and read the article for themselves then come back here and tell me how “definitive” it sounds that Smallville will be back for a 9th season.
Also here’s Bruce’s original statement:
“Not once have I seen a statement saying that season 9 is approved, hinted at, a go, nothing.” [emphasis added]
When you pointed out the article, he was polite in his response and you response was to get in his face. He didn’t say there wasn’t any news out there, just that HE hadn’t seen it (and believe me, Bruce is awesome at digging for info).
BTW, you only quoted PART of her statement, in order to mislead as to how definite her statement was. Here is the FULL quote which makes the whole thing far less certain:
“Reaper” won’t necessarily air on Thursdays, she said. As for the perception that the upcoming season will be the last for “Smallville” — not very accurate.
And the part you omitted:
“You would have said several times during its run that the show is just about dead,” Ostroff said. “So I would never count it out.”
Your personal desire for the show continuing will not on its own “will” it into happening. “Never count it out” doesn’t exactly scream “definite renewal” and the fact that even the writers don’t know whether it will be back supports that.
Vic
Mariko: That would be an interesting twist, (Chloe and Clark) but I don’t think it’s headed that way. It would be interesting though.
Bring on METROPOLIS. Season 1.Its time to tie all loose ends on Smallille and Clark to become Superman. Do not delude the show anymore. Bring Metropolis on board, and the new and exciting adventures of a Superman that matured before our own eyes.Metropolis would be a great hit for the CW or whatever network picks it up.
I think that a 9th season would be a great idea for thouse of you how don’t so what your not real fans any way so don’t think you are becouse if you were you would want more like a real fan does
@Johnny-K of Norway
Actually, Clark does still live at the farm in Smallville, as seen by last night’s episode when he invited Louis to live there with him. Of course, he could live in Australia and still make it to work on time.
@Allenohara
I think it’s a consensus that this season is much better than last season, but the problem with continuing into a 9th is 1) no Rosenbaum or Lex Luther 2) CW still has the no-fly policy 3) everybody knows what Clark looks like without glasses. If they could fix these problems, great, I’d love to see the saga continue. But they may have painted themselves in a corner with all these non-canon changes.
I’m pretty sure they’re going to break the “no flights” rule this season (FINALLY!) but yeah, with no Lex and the whole secret identity thing it’s going to be a tough nut.
I know they’re progressing towards the dual identity thing this season but they’re going to have to have a huge ace up their sleeves as far as a creative way to pull it off.
BTW, I didn’t like this week’s Maxima episode at all. Like watching soft core porn IMHO.
On the other hand I do like how they’ve transitioned the Lois and Clark relationship from dislike to affection over the last few seasons. Surprising how well they’ve handled that.
Vic
I honestly have really liked this season and would not mind if the show continues but the only I wish is the cw gives them enough time for the producers to write a proper finale whether it’s this or next season.
I would love to see season 9 of smallville where he is in metropolis forfilling his destiny and i still think that series called metropolis idea i said 2 days ago is good. Could you please take it into consideration.
Well you’r details are a bit off. First off Erica Durance has absolutely nothing planned in the near future. One film is already finished for the lifetime movie network and it’s a courtroom drama and the other will be having her scenes filmed over just a week or two during the hiatus so that will not interfere with any ninth season filming. Tom Welling knows he is typecast beyond return by now, as is Erica as the hottie. Tom’s last three big screen attempts were huge flops at the boxoffice and Erica’s last three films didn’t even make it to the big screen so once Smallville is over, so are their careers. That’s probably why Erica has been promoting Smallville to every entertainment website or show that will listen to her. When it comes to channel rankings someone has to be at the bottom and that’s usually fox or the CW. Not everyone can be ABC. Smallville is the only consistent ratings grabber (even if CW is ranked at the bottom of the networks) that the CW has right now. 90210 has yet to prove itself as a lasting contender. If they want this channel to stay afloat they had better throw some major cash at Tom Welling for a ninth season, with an option for them to make it an even ten seasons.
I think LAST Season jumped the frigg’n Shark!
THIS Season has been a lot more fun to watch and actually things are progressing at a good pace!
Go for Ten Seasons, build up a few spinoffs, (God, NOT ‘The Graysons’…) and close Smallville out gracefully.
Gotta Jet outta here! -Stark
OMG!!!
That would be so fantastic!!!!! Thay can go on to make it an even 10 seasons! I dont care I love every season every episode! I will never get tired of this show EVER!!!!
BRING IT ON!!!
Michael Ausiello fomerly of TV Guide.com now with Entertainment weekly.com says while there are no plans for Michael Rosenbaum to return this season
“you may hear him long before you see him.”
Did Lex put Clarks secret down on tape?
Hi i was wondering and i have done a lot of thinkin about this and this would be the best game in the world and personally i would love to play the game. I was wondering if you ever thought of making a game called smallville, i think it would be a greatb idea and speaking for all the fans of smallville i think it wouldbe great idea SO PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.
I know michael has a problem returning but why doesn’t he just wear a bald cap even if it doesn’t look real the fans won’t care. IF his voice is what we get for now it’s better than nothing just as long as he comes back for the series finale.
It’s cool seeing people happy with this season because I have been a fan from the beginning and I get tired of people commenting on how the show sucks when an episode airs that they don’t like which is pointless because if a show disapoints you that much don’t watch it and complain about.
Yeah Scott You will never ever hear a complaint out of me I own every season to date of Smallville.
when I seen the news about a season 9 oh man I was jumping for joy.
I know how you feel I get sick of people putting down the show myself that’s why sometimes I just put my comment on and don’t even read the others cause of how they talk bad about the show.
You know Jessica I think I am going to take your advice. Thanks.
Great show, 8 yrs under the name of Smallville, but really todays show isnt anymore about a young Clark Kent growing up with the guidence of his parents in his farm, its evovled into a young Superman show, so rename the show “METROPOLIS” and then give us a 9 season or a first Metropolis season. Tom must be willing to sign up for X-amount of years to do this , if not then rap the show with a 2 hr finalle this season and bing back in some capacity the original cast for it, tying up all loose ends.(including Jor-el encryptic behavior)
I personally like the ideal of lana’s whole disappearing act, I think it sets the stage for new comers like cat women lana is diffently cat women material she kicks butt with the whole martial art thing but it should be like a one time thing and some thing that everyone would say yeah that make’s since, like the buffy vampire what if she wasn’t the only one in that cave? and say for instance this other person was now living in gothm city and knew oliver queen who knows just about all there is to know about being a superhero.
Hey everyone,
I started this series only this past summer and Im already caught up. Now I loved everything that has gone on up until the 6th season. I felt like season 6 and 7 were pretty badd, however, season 8 is doing amazing so far. I hope they do continue with a season 9 because this whole series is amazing as a whole and learned a lot about the whole superman saga so I totally would watch season 9!! This season hopefully will convince the execs to produce another season since I’ve notice a lot of positive insight about season 8
@Clark
I think a number of posters have it right; continue the saga but as a new series called Metropolis, showing that Clark has left his Smallville countryboy behind and is ready for the big times.
Dittos Kahless
You know I am a die hard fan and will watch it whether they call it smallville or metroplis but I like the idea of metroplis because it would invite new ideas as well as a way to get lois and clark together. On a new subject I thought the messege at the end of instinct was brainaic some how but I listend to smallvillepodcast and they mentioned lana. I hope it is lana because it would give her a reason to come back and I hope that when she does come back they don’t really pine for each other but are good friends to show that smallville has moved on and so has out characters.
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