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Smallville gets its General Zod, who will labor in the shadow of the great Terence Stamp
Looks like The CW's Smallville will be edging ever farther into full-blown Superman territory in its upcoming ninth and final season: The show announced the hiring of actor Callum Blue to play the iconic villain General Zod.
Here's how The Hollywood Reporter ran the news:
Brit Callum Blue has joined CW's Smallville as a regular. He will play the young man of steel's future arch nemesis in the sci-fi drama's upcoming ninth season.Supervillain General Zod from the DC Comics books was
introduced[best remembered from the] 1980 feature Superman II, where the role was played by Terence Stamp.
We don't envy Blue (Dead Like Me) as he steps into Stamp's sizable Kryptonian boots: Stamp made such an impression in Superman II that he still regularly gets asked questions about Zod nearly 30 years later. (It probably won't help Blue that Stamp has made an impression on Smallville as well, voicing Clark's real father, Jor-El.)
For his part, Stamp takes the Zod stuff in stride. At a press conference for 2008's Get Smart, in which Stamp played Siegfried, co-star Nate Torrence could barely contain his glee at sitting beside Stamp:
"Dude, I'm just trying to keep it steady right now," Torrence said to a roomful of reporters. "I've got Zod beside me. He walks on water."
To which the unflappable Stamp responded: "Zod off."
By Paul at 6:04 AM ON 06/24/09
1. Stamp's comment is funny because of the British expression "Sod off" which means get lost.
2. SciFi Wire is horrible about posting SPOILERS in its headlines. The reveal of the Terminator Salvation T800 was bad but this headline is just as bad.
By Anthony at 6:29 AM ON 06/24/09
Callum is a good actor , he was great on that show Dead Like Me.
By pocketdoom at 6:40 AM ON 06/24/09
but Smallville had Zod on the show already...possesing the body of Lex Luthor but still he was on the show
By PALADIN at 6:42 AM ON 06/24/09
RE: "Supervillain General Zod from the DC Comics books was introduced in 1980 feature Superman II,"
--Zod was not intro`d in the movies, he first appeared back in the early 60`s comics.
By juss at 7:54 AM ON 06/24/09
Zod, schmod. When will we see Ursa? I vote for Lucy Lawless.
By Kyle Nin at 8:54 AM ON 06/24/09
Zod was shown in the first Superman movie as well, when he and the other two were being judged. And then shortly after, Krypton was destroyed.
By kev74 at 9:19 AM ON 06/24/09
I hope Clark learns to fly this season, I mean come on its about time.
By Elric at 9:41 AM ON 06/24/09
Sci-Fi didn't break a spoiler here. The last scene of this season's finale showed someone standing on a Kryptonian glyph (that looked remarkably like a "Z"). Oh, and let's not forget the chorus singing "Zod, Zod, Zod, Zod."
I've got my issues with Sci-Fi, but let's not give 'em grief when they don't deserve it.
By kokki at 11:13 AM ON 06/24/09
why why why?
why is this show still on? why the cw is still on, producing horrid tv shows for retarded fangirls? why raping another dc comic character? there's no hope anymore.
By Danyael at 11:30 AM ON 06/24/09
It's about time they got a person to play Zod. The "spirit possession" bit from Season 5 and 6 is just a means for the producers to save money on guest stars.
By joesocwork at 12:38 PM ON 06/24/09
Despite some very good performances, Smallville didn't handle Lex Luthor or Dooms Day very well or at least their endings. Until they let the kids finally grow up I don't see its soap opera approach will work for a long term arc for Zod.
By amyblogtalk at 2:52 PM ON 06/24/09
great
By MacBeth at 6:13 PM ON 06/24/09
I love smallville but isn't this there 3rd final season?
By AngryJonny at 7:32 PM ON 06/24/09
MacBeth, that's exactly what I was thinking! I could swear last season at least was the final season.
By fresnotimelord at 8:38 PM ON 06/24/09
"Supervillain General Zod from the DC Comics books was introduced in 1980 feature Superman II, where the role was played by Terence Stamp."
Actually....He was seen in "Superman: The Movie" first in Not "Superman II"!
Unless you are saying "Superman: The Movie" Never Happend!
By Ryan at 9:41 PM ON 06/24/09
Callum was good on Dead Like Me. I'm interested to see what he can do. Oh, and it says "Ninth and Final Season". That's conjecture. It has not been determined if this will be the show's last.
By duneboat at 10:56 PM ON 06/24/09
Zod, shnod, who cares who olays Zod!? Just make sure that the beautiful Erica Durance (Lois Lane) is in EVERY episode in this alleged final season!!!
By DJ Jarak at 11:32 PM ON 06/24/09
Really? Weird. Everytime I see Zod I'll just see him as the ever-high and drunk, Mason.
By drumdiva at 11:43 PM ON 06/24/09
Lucy Lawless? Puh-leese! No one will ever top Sarah Douglas as Ursa.
By Roon at 4:03 PM ON 06/25/09
Jor-El was Clark's birth father. Jonathan Kent raised him and was every bit as much his "real" father, if not more so.
As the father of an adopted son (from Korea, not Krypton) I'm sensitive to things like that.
By suprememango at 6:41 PM ON 06/25/09
last season was rumored to be the final season. I think CW loves to tease "final season" for a ratings boost. http://www.tvguide.com/news/cw-supernatural-smallville-1006269.aspx.
It seems once the ratings are good, and this is one of the network's powerhouse shows, they will keep making it. But last season the show was beginning to show its age and I think the story was being stretched, not for the good of the plot, but financial reasons. And without Rosenbaum's wonderful performance as Lex Luthor - Cassidy Freeman is okay but no Rosenbaum - to lift the show, it has clearly dipped in quality.
I've watched this show for eight years. Please do not allow it to turn to crap and run it into the ground by carrying on after its prime. Let 9th be the last. I for one will not watch beyond that.
Take a cue from the BSG writers who ended the show - despite immense popularity - when they felt the story had run its course, or the Lost writers who stipulated there would be six seasons despite having a mega-hit on their hands. Peace, love and hair grease.
By Dingo at 8:37 PM ON 06/25/09
"I've watched this show for eight years. Please do not allow it to turn to crap and run it into the ground by carrying on after its prime. Let 9th be the last. I for one will not watch beyond that."
Suprememango - after watching for 8 solid years, you would give up on it now? I am completely on your side when it comes to Smallville's "final" season - the last two years have been promoted as such - but don't see how anyone could give up on the ride now.
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