The Smallville universe is certainly living up to its name a little better with each passing month. In early March, reports surfaced that Smallville mainstays Michael Rosenbaum and Kristin Kreuk, who play Lex Luthor and Lana Lang, respectively, were intending to downsize their roles on the show and begin their post-Smallville careers.
Both actors have reportedly worked out deals to spend less time on the show next season, appearing in a fraction of the episodes they typically act in. This happens to coincide with what is almost certainly Smallville's final season--its eighth.
While the loss of Lex and Lana would seem to be a deathblow for the drama about young Superman, things got even a bit worse yesterday. The creative duo who started the show, Al Gough and Miles Millar, announced that they are leaving Smallville at the conclusion of this season.
The news came via an open letter on Smallville superfan site Kryptonsite.com.
"After much heartache and debate we have decided it is time for us to move on," reads the letter, which is virtually signed by both Gough and Millar. There is no explanation for the departure, but dissecting the letter cultivates some interesting theories.
While thanking their crew, the two mention "when the knives were out, you always had our backs," which some are taking to mean there was internal drama behind closed doors. They also stress the show's success and are quick to point out that "[they] never compromised [their] vision." Could network pressure be at the core?
Or do they simply just want to work on other things? The two say, "We can finally focus on features now," giving a clue as to what direction they're headed (both have plenty of writing credits on movies such as Herbie Fully Loaded, Spider-Man 2, and the forthcoming The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor).
It's currently unclear who will take over the vacated posts, but TVGuide.com says that Smallville writers Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Todd Slavkin, and Darren Swimmer will plug the holes. [UPDATE below]
Requests for comment from the CW were unanswered as of press time. Smallville returns with new episodes later this month.
What do you think, Smallville fans? Is there hope for season eight without all the familiar names?
[UPDATE] Shortly after this article was posted, the CW contacted TV.com with this official statement on the matter:
"Al Gough and Miles Millar have been great partners and instrumental in the development and success of Smallville. While we are sad to see them go, we are very excited to announce that Executive Producers Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer, Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson will helm the show next season. Todd, Darren, Kelly, and Brian have been writing for the show for the past six seasons, and as producers for the last four years, they have played an integral role in the ongoing creative evolution of the series. As showrunners, they will continue to deliver the compelling storytelling that Smallville fans have come to expect and love."
Comments (105)
I stopped watching after season 4 after each character had been to the hospital almost dead for the 15th time.Wanna boost the ratings? Make him Superman already and quit dragging this show through the mud or just quit.
They need to end this show before it self destructs!
Smallville just isn't Smallville without Lana and Lex; without Gough and Millar; and with the show being mainly being set in Metropolis.It's like it's an entirely new and different show altogether. Maybe they should just call it Metropolis instead of Smallville?Not that it's bad. Just that there were too many changes for it to be called by the same name.
i think is a good idea to end the show. not that is bad, but the story was supposed to be about the young superman, but now he's not just that young anymore. i just think is wrong that Lex and Lana are not appearing in the show as often as bfore. Michael has to be on the show!!
DONT END, WHY this show is the best show ever... my favourite...
Well, with Season 8 already underway, any predictions about casting become irrelevant. I sincerely hope the producers of the show read many of the comments thus far and take heed, because many of you (us) seem to agree, it's time for Clark to done the CAPE and TIGHTS! The plots and villains have gone too far into the SUPERMAN myth to not have Superman. One of the opening credit characters is to become Doomsday; how can you have a Doomsday without Superman? With Justin Hartley (Green Arrow) joining the cast, perhaps there's hope for more JLA storylines. It's obviously what the fans want; so producers, writers, execs at CW and DC, read what we the fans want.
Somebody save me! And save Clark Kent. He so tipically amerikan caracter. You see my problem is this
I'm dreaming away
Wishing that heroes, they truly exist
I cry, watching the days
Can't you see I'm a fool in so many ways
But to lose all my senses
That is just so typically me
they left because money made first season. This site usually update the show right. The Cw trailers next episodes.
no reason to be sad,smallville will go out while its still on top
That is just wrong i can believe they are leaving. it is so bad for the show and i dont know what else to watch on thursday nights if not smallville that means i cant have fun on thursday night. please i think they should come back together and make the end, better than the beginning, i also hope that green arrow and all others will get to meet kara, the martian man hunter and also get to see Clark fly in the next episode.
Thanks
Well, I'd heard this was coming and seeing how Lex will be leaving-it looks like Brainiac may be the new baddy which is fine by me too! I do hope they pull out all the stops and get to give us a great series finale when it comes to that. Maybe him actually FLYING now that the main writers are gone as justasiam suggested!
I'm assuming the funeral in the picture is Lana's. This is sad, since eight is the last i hope they're pulling out the stops but with so many people leaving the show i hope it doesn't disappoint.
There is some concern however there is also potential of a HUGE upside to all this. Changes in head writers or people in charge is a plus. It means standards and beliefs change. Remember, "You will never see Clark in a cape or flying".?
Maybe now we will. Maybe now they wont be so Anti about making the full jump to the JL instead of little baby steps.
Also, while Lana was an important character to any superman story, the younger years, she also left for a long long time. Lets be honest, lately she slows the show down whenever she speaks. She needs prozak or maybe even some stimulants.
Lex on the other hand, that could be bad.
I just hope if season 8 is in fact the last season, I hope it doesnt end with Clark telling someone its his time,. ( As Clark begins walking to the fortress for his official training). I think the training should start in season and end with some official appoval from Jor-Elmoreless
Why is everybody hating on season 7? Weakest season? Clearly you're an idiot. I guess you don't care about good continuity, more mythos and better writing (sarcasm off). Season 8 is happening whether you like it or not, if you don't like the show, don't watch it's that simple. Don't try and conform others to your beliefs, most people don't care what you have to say (just like I'm sure not many will take any value from this post), it's just the way things are.
I think they can make another season. S7 can be a chance to round off the Lex and Lana plots with next year being about Clark's final transformation into Superman.
They seem to be inching that way already: Lex is murdering poeple right and left, being completely irredeemable and Lana's not who Clark needs. And a certain star reporter's already been introduced...
I'm hopeful and I hope they'll see this as an opportunity rather than a loss.
looking forward to season 8
They shouldn't make an 8th Season, 7 is more then enough, and the current 7th season is the weakest of them all.But in the end it's all about money, as long as people keep watching, the show will be alive, it doesn't matter if people actually enjoy themself.
I'm very thankful to the creators of the show. I've been a big fan since the beginning. I totally understand the need for change. I wish them the best and hope they can continue to bring the world compelling stories in whatever medium they work in.Season 7 should tie up all their storylines, including leaving Lana comatose while Clark goes off for training. Lex finally kills his father. Chloe doesn't need to die. She's actually my favorite character on the show. Her and Clark's dialogue is what really makes Smallville fun to watch. I think Chloe (Mack) should've been Lois all along. Of course, Lois the character traditionally does do things that are less honest and smart than what Chloe has become. I think Lana and Clark are too whiney around each other and it's an unhealthy relationship built on too much trauma and hurt feelings. Ultimately, Lana needs to go off and do her thing on her own. For now, they can leave her comatose.Season 8 can be awesome if the apron strings really are cut. Maybe with a better budget they can afford to do more compelling and elaborate struggles against supervillains and/or catastrophes. I think most people sense that the formula thus far has gotten stale. The point of view needs to change. Metropolis and Perry White need to be mainstays. Smallville, as we know it, should pretty much be a place to visit and not live in. There's really no reason to stay as long as Lana is taken care of and Lex is in prison (assuming he's caught for killing Lionel and/or Patricia Swann). The time is now for Clark to train. Clark will need help to defeat Braniac. We need to see the Martian Manhunter and the rest of the gang to help against what really is a supervillian beyond what simple Clark has thus shown. Braniac, Smallville's version, could've killed Clark so many different ways and times it's silly. Of course, he needs Clark for reasons we don't fully know yet. Well, at least he needed one Kryptonian from the House of El. Should be an interesting story to follow to the end.moreless
The Creators of this show have done me a great service and I want to thank them deeply. I have truly enjoyed their take on Clark Kent from day one. They've teased us with great mythology development and then brought us back down with romance and heartache.I, for one, have been deeply affected by this show throughout its run. There have been many parallels with Clark's life and my own. His father died, for example, not long after my own did. His progression has gone forward and spiraled, at times, like mine has. I feel like Clark and I are at the same point now: We're both on the verge of fully committing to our destinies and yet we hold back for various reasons.From my own perspective, and for the sake of the Clark Kent character, we both need to leave our comfort zones and take more chances. We can't let our comfortable relationships and environments lead us to a stalemate. Clark needs new growth opportunities. He can't help Lana nor Kara in his current flightless state. He needs more information and training from his Father. It's all that remains now.In other words, Season 7 should end with Clark going to the Fortress of Solitude to begin his training. Of course, it would be really cool to show some of that training like in movies. I think we'd all love for him to actually fly out of the Fortress to end the season.Season 8 doesn't have to be all Superman. It can be Clark's transition to Metropolis. There's lots of things he hasn't done yet. He hasn't been publishing any articles for anyone to see, however, Perry White does owe him that big favor. They could show Perry coming in and taking over. Of course, that would mean Lex would have to be forced to sell the paper. Maybe Lex goes to jail for killing his father and that opens the door for a takeover? Afterall, Lex does escape from prison and has to hide underground in the movies.Season 8 should involve Clark getting an apartment, getting a job eventually at the Daily Planet but maybe something else first? Personally, I don't see why Chloe has to die. She knows she can never be with Clark and I like her relationship with Jimmy. Jimmy and Kara doesn't quite fit.They could also do more background stories on the other superheroes. Of course, they'd save most of that for an actual Justice League series. Mostly, they need to show Clark actually hiding his Clark face and reserving that for full Superman. Maybe they should explain that one of his "super powers" is that he can "help" people who knew him before what he looked like and will only remember his name and personality. Right now, he's too Superman-like to be a true Clark Kent, just like in the original movie. Of course, Tom Welling can do this. Just watch Season One when he gets close to Lana while she's wearing her necklace. In other words, Clark needs to start developing his nerd side more and allow his superhero side to disappear from the public eye until he's ready to become a superhero full-time. Then again, Jor-El does give him this idea to protect his identity. You'd think Clark would've figured this out by now. He's not always careful in that department.Anyway, long story long, Season 8 doesn't have to be full Superman glory. Instead, it should be that transition period that is also somewhat skipped between leaving Smallville and Metropolis. We get to see a little, but not nearly enough of the training at the Fortress, the actual mechanics of moving and the day-to-day stuff. Isn't that the whole point of a series? Aren't series great because you get much more detail out of the characters? That's why I love books on tape. You get the great detail of the book, unabridged, but you also get great voice acting for entertainment value. Makes for great travel listening. =)Overall, Season 7 and many people leaving is good. It's a perfect time for the transition. Clark goes in for training and Lana can stay comatose. Lex has noone to focus his obsession on so he focuses on his father and then kills him. Chloe worries for her life and goes into hiding. Lois, starts to publish real stories and builds a repretoire. Lex is spotted by witnesses killing his father and goes to jail. We watch lots of cool training and learning about the Universe from Jor-El. Clark "graduates" and then takes on Braniac as his first "test" before donning the tights. Somehow Zod will be freed but will be trapped in flesh body with his other two co-conspirators from the movies.Season 8 will feature the transition I mentioned, Zod could be the main villian of the series or possibly Lex in his full post-prison self or both. I wouldn't introduce guys like Darkseid this early because he's just way too awesome for a young Superman to fight. We need more teaming up with superhero buddies and actually have real battles with other super villains. It's too easy to battle civilians. They could transition into the Legion of Doom vs the Justice League during Season 8. Season 9+ would actually be the Justice League series. DC needs to allow Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawk (Man or Girl), and Green Lantern to join the Justice League series. I could easily see many ways they could introduce them and do them "justice." =)What do you think, guys? Enough with the indecision that Clark has. Let's get some real progress made towards his destiny. Season 8 will then be gr8! =)moreless
sucks that they're leaving, but from what i heard when the series started they planned on only having 7 seasons, so thanks for the great episodes guys, good luck out there
How sad that just after the CW renewed Smallville for what is hoped to be the final season (8), the creators would leave the show. Or then again, maybe some fresh blood will be a fitting way to move the story along for Clark to become what he is meant to!
New blood can't make it any worse then it has been with all this emo Lana drama...
For all beginnings there must come an ending. For all those leaving, I wish them the best and can't wait to see what they do next. For those that are still working on Smallville, I know that they will still provide an awesome show.
What I don't understand is how people can expect creative people to stay on a project regardless of their own wishes. We would not have as many great shows as we do if people just sat on one idea and that was all they did. If an actor wants to explore other characters in other projects, it will show their strengths as actors. The same goes for writers and producers. With a show like Smallville, it is a community not just a house. Everyone on it makes it great, not just the rich guy on the hill. How would Clark Kent be super, without a romantic interest (Lana) or an antagonist (Lex) to display his strengths and weaknesses. The show would have ran a lot shorter if all we saw was Clark driving fenceposts with superstrength or throwing haybales. Everyone on the show (a whole lot of names) has a part in its success. It is easy for people to think it is just a few people who are responsible for making the show great.
I have liked Smallville ever since Clark was tied up as a scarecrow in a cornfield and I think that the show will be left in good hands.moreless
<p>wonder what there strife is about? Keeping Kent out of his tights? Lex murdering him father? Lois 1st big big story about lex murdering patricia swann and using the same pawns plan to possible murdering his father?
<p>i have always been a fan of superman but the cap and tights is not much of a disguise. he need a mask,hood, or helmet to hide face. Any moron can tell its the same person in a suit and the cap. Aspesialy in this day and age of face recognition software and digital cameras just about everwhere. A modern day superman needs a modern disguise.
This is what happened to Charmed when Creator & Executive Producer: Constance Burge left. Fans said the show went downhill but I personally didnt see a change. Back to topic, I'm not sure how this will turn out as they always (more or less) write the finales? I think they should come back for the series finale!
i really thought season 2-4 were pretty slow. once zod, brainiac, and finally clark getting with lana happened i got more into it. i know it's way different than in the comics but if you consider the universe like maybe earth 657 or something like that, than the show is still good. i want lana and lex gone though. im glad the parents have virtually disappeared(death + senate). i hope one season begins with clark travelling the world and increasing his journalism skills like in the Birthright comic. tha'd be awesome
Yes, it has been slow. When you stretch out a show for eight years, that's what generally happens. He should definitely be progressing more. I've been thinking about this and I believe that the show should have started later when Clark was sixteen. That way, he would be older and actually ready to save the world. Superpowers don't make a 20 year-old want to give up everything. Does anyone know when Superman begins his crimefighting career? I heard it's mid-twenties for both Batman and Superman but I could be wrong. Oh and yes, Al and Miles have done a TERRIBLE job with the journalism aspect of Clark's identity. I mean, even with Lois she just wanted to write all of a sudden. She wrote one article in Season 4 and then another at the beginning of Season 6! It was so contrived. Al and Miles have certainly dropped the ball by prolonging the show, although that's what the network wants. Obviously there was internal strife between DC and Al and Miles since they rejected their ideas for Season 8...I just hope it was the right decision, I really wonder what their plan was. I am not convinced that the four new showrunners will do great things; I mean they possibly could but they can fail as well. They're written some terrible episodes along with brilliant ones too. I am glad that it’s people who have been with the show for years, instead of someone new like Gilmore Girls. I hope we see some changes for the better, along with bringing Martha back. I really miss the family dynamic on the show! Also, I just read the Season 6 Companion for Smallville and dear Lord, the writers really do not have a grand plan. You should read some of the terrible ideas that they had and some of the things they say.moreless
Mixed feelings. The new guys hopefully can't be as bad as Miles and Al. I don't think I would've taken credit for Herbie: Fully Loaded.
It sounds like what happened with Gilmore Girls...
I've always been a fan of Superman and I feel that this has been one of the best versions of the story. I'd still like to see superman fly!!! It's a fact that good family shows are cancelled for stupid 'reality' shows that we could do without! Aren't there enough shows that have 'caution' advertised before watching it. Leave it alone and let us enjoy the fun of Superman. stan
Oh yea I forgot to add this. If Al Gough and Miles Millar did get fired it was probably because they still wanted "no tights, no flight". Warner, CW, and DC said may have said "Enough if enough, leave!". So a good thing is that now the chances of Clark flying and donning a suit just went up 1000%. :D It's also possible that CW pressured them for more seasons even though they've said in interviews that season 8 would be the last season. It's also possible that the Seigels winning their lawsuit had something to do with their departure. We won't know for sure until they tell people themselves or CW spills the beans on what happened.
I hate it when people say things and don't even have proof to back it up. Al Gough and Miles Millar didn't ditch their own show and if somehow they did why don't you show me some actual proof? They could've been fired because they still wanted "Lanaville" and DC, Warner and CW said "NO WAY!". It could've also been that their pitch for season 8 wasn't as good as some the spoilers that were released in a pre-edited sci-fi wire interview with Brian Peterson of a season 8 that will focus on a stronger Lois & Clark relationship (doesn't mean romantic) and the introduction of a new sidekick for Lex that has even more issues than him (Mercy Graves?). Anyways Smallville was already officially renewed by The CW for a season 8 (meaning a standard 22 episodes, maybe 24 if they carry the missing ones from season 7) so it's still happening. Also Al Gough and Miles Millar haven't even written an episode since "Reckoning" (12 Episode of Season 5, 100th Episode overall). It's also possible that they wanted a raise and got turned down or they're actually too busy writing movie scripts. At the moment they're doing the 3rd Mummy movie and Iron Man (another superhero). Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Aaron Ashmore, Laura Vandervoort are already signed for season 8. Apparently John Glover is also but if you've seen spoilers for "Descent" (7x16) this is a bit confusing. Allison Mack hasn't been approached yet which can mean this is her last season (so either Chloe dies or goes some place else) or TPTB are taking their sweet time. Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum are both expected to come back for season 8 too. Kristin for the first 1/3 and Michael for anywhere between 11-18 episodes. As much as I'm thankful for AlMiles contributions I think the show is better without them since they're strayed off the mythos path and basically made a pathetic Clark Kent (Tom Welling FYI has even expressed his dislike for how the character has become) and made this show "Lanaville". As mentioned already Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Todd Slavkin, and Darren Swimmer will be taking over which is good since they've been with the show for a long time and know what they're doing. They've also written some of the best episodes so Smallville is in good hands. So relax! This is more good news than bad. :)moreless
My only worry? What if The Mummy 3 is as bad as Smallville season 5?
Just finish it please.
Well, in my mind this show ended after the 3rd season. It says something if the CREATORS of a show leaves it. It's like a parent abandoning a child. They have made horrible decisions in its past years, and now they are just leaving it.
I'm in a mixed-mood.on the one hand, I've been watching the show's last several seasons out of inertia (you have to admit that it has become a "bit" of a soap opera).on the other hand, maybe the *new* crew will inject some fresh blood into the show's sagging veins. the problem with the above paragraph is that the "new crew" is just the old crew (...have been writing for the show for the past six seasons, and as producers for the last four years...), but they'll get a new title.Bottom line? unless there's a MAJOR upheaval in the show production, even an 8th is probably too much - who needs another season of "The Young & The Restless on Krypton"?P.S.Kristin Kreuk with her many big eyed expressions of various emotions that manage to still look the same - is not a big lossmoreless
In my opinion they should have ended the show a long time ago. I'm still watching it but it just feels lame by now, the show lost its mojo.
It's funny i was thinking about this same thing the other day. Of course there is hope for an eight season!, as long as tom welling is still on board there is always hope for another season. I mean how many characthers have left the series the mom, the dad, the best friend and several others from the original cast. Cast members can be replaced well except for Michael Rosenbaum as lex, kristin kreuk is not a big loss. But i do agree with post#1[hungryjacks] there has to be an 8th season and it should go out with a bang. they wouldn't be able to do much with this season since it's probably close to ending itself.
Hopefully the show goes out with a band. I would hate for them to rush the ending (they got this far).
I don't really care, cos they haven't put it on air in Australia for a while now, so i have no idea what is going on!!! We want Smallvill!! Bring It Back!!!
NO....why are they going to stop smallville
Hopefully the show goes out with a band. I would hate for them to rush the ending (they got this far).
nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove G and M!!!!! the eight is now definatly going to be the last season....T_T although it is time for him 2 don the tight....still....i love smallville....hoping for a green arrow, aquaman, or supergirl spin-off or better yet a live action league series..they're already working on a JLA live-action movie....
i hope that they have an 8th season where chloe and clark get together.
well i think it would be good to create a 2 or just one 120 min episode as 'tv movie' (like stargate creators ) and just go for what they imagined, because i love the show and it's not fair, the show is good, so come on end it properly. and go out with a bang,
well the show has become boring.... the last seasons has been always da same...nothing new!soo if the show end for good...fine by me....and if it ontinues with another staff... fine too!, maybe it become refreshing and improve the history line... lex..lana..thy got boringg a longg longg time agoo!
it's upsetting that they're going, but maybe it's time. i feel like this season hasn't really been up to par.
it's sad that they are leavin and I was shocked that there'd be no smallville although I've only seen season one (that too with missin some previous epi's) cause I saw it on another channel that never showed another season but I have the dvd's and haven't watched them yet but the update is a great news that they'd continue it.
I think this can only be a good thing. The show has been way too Lana/Clark centered for much too long. This change is good. Have Lana and Clark go their separate ways and have Clark and Lois grow closer. They shouldn't be dating yet, but a deepening of their friendship and some mild flirting would fit perfectly to wrap up the romance angle of the show. Their chemistry on the show is great. Every scene Clark is closed off and broody, even with Lana. The exception is when Lois enters the scene. Clark opens up and banters with her. Thats perfect for creating some character development. Season 8 would be a perfect time to do all this.