Rumblings across the web have have made their way to TV Guide, and there is concern that Tom Welling may not return for a 9th season of “Smallville”.

Now, if you’d told me that last year I would have said “good”. After watching this season, however, I can truly say that I hope he changes his mind. Welling is not contracted for season 9 of the series, and while I can understand being ready to move on after having played the role for so many years, the show is the best its ever been – and I’d hate to lose now.

Unless, of course, they have him play Superman in a movie that grows out of the “Smallville” series. It’s unlikely that will happen – but if it did, the concept of Superman could be easily worked in with the “Smallville” cast – and re-introduced to an audience as a new feature film, without having to worry about the baggage of the series.

A Superman film doesn’t need a major all-star cast to be a success – it needs a great Superman story, with a group of talented actors, and “Smallville” already has that in place.

It’ll never happen – but with the right director and writer, it could be awesome.