Smallville-Season 9 Possible?

By Eric Goldman,IGN
November 20,2008

Going into the fall, it was widely assumed that Smallville would likely be ending at the conclusion of its current eighth season. After all, two of the central characters – Lana Lang and Lex Luthor – were gone, as the actors who portrayed them, Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum, had left the series. Plus, eight seasons is a pretty long run for a show focusing on Clark Kent's pre-Superman days, and a number of fans felt the show's quality had dipped drastically by Season 7.

Now however, EW.com's Michael Ausiello says the TV version of the Man of Steel could be sticking around for at least another year. Many feel the series has improved this season, and asked by one such excited fan if the show could return for Season 9, Ausiello replies, "I hear The CW will likely take the don't-fix-if-not-broke approach and keep its Thursday line-up intact next season," implying both Smallville and Supernatural will return for the 2009-2010 season.

The CW may be more keen on keeping Smallville now because The Graysons project they had in development has been scrapped. That potential series – about a young Dick Grayson before he becomes Robin – was perceived as a potential replacement for Smallville. However, with Smallville still performing for the network and The Graysons no longer happening, The CW may be thinking it's best to just stick with their proven series.

Ausiello says that a recent rumor that The CW had already renewed Supernatural for a fifth season is not true. However, considering the very respectable numbers that show is pulling in this season, it would be a surprise if it didn't come back next fall.