Fans of Smallville have been somewhat upset about the news out of the CW network that the producers of the show have pitched The Graysons, another superhero series, to the network. Fears have run high that this pitch suggests that there won’t be a ninth season of Smallville, and they seem to squash hopes of a spin-off series focusing on either The Justice League, Supergirl, or Green Arrow. Well, no fear - Smallville producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders wrote a message to fans of the series over at KryptonSite, reassuring them about the series.

They wrote:

Dear Smallville fans,

As news and rumors swirl around the development of The Graysons for the CW, we have every intention of letting you, our fans, be the first to know the reality. Never have we been so committed to the continuing success of Smallville as we are to seasons 8 and 9. While we are extremely excited to be working hand-in-hand with Wonderland, Warner Bros. and the CW to create the origin story of Dick Grayson, it has never been intended as a replacement for Smallville, as is speculated in some media. The cast, crew, writers and producers are all working full-steam ahead on a story-line for Clark that allows for seasons of further trials and adventures for our favorite hero. As always, we all have you to thank for achieving eight years of this amazing show that Al and Miles created, and we're looking far beyond!

Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders

Based on what they’re saying, it sounds like the success (or failure) of both The Graysons and Smallville are going to be unconnected. Furthermore, it sounds like they have a concrete plan for at least a ninth season of the show – and my be planning on ways to transform Smallville into a modern-day series about the adventures of Superman.

Smallville airs Thursday nights on the CW. The drama about the early days of Clark Kent stars Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Allison Mack, Aaron Ashmore, Justin Hartley, Cassidy Freeman and Sam Witwer.