This is so cool. This is the reason why Smallville is one of the best shows on TV for the past 9 years.

Michael Shanks is a great actor too so I am expecting the episode to be fantastic.

The only thing is I hope there is lots of action and they show the new characters powers. If they do that the episode will be a classic that fans will be raving about for a long time.

It's funny that a movie like Superman Returns with a budget over 100 million doesn't come close to the high quality of Smallville with its much smaller budget.

Keep up the good work Smallville.

It will be great if they use the original writers from Smallville and some of the cast / characters that were on Smallville for the Justice League movie. I would love to see what they do with a big movie.

They should have the director from the Justice League Unlimited cartoon direct film. The cartoon was great and has the right balance of action and story line to make a great movie.

Funny. i thought the complete opposite. Smallville is boring and has turned into a 90210-ish series. i love seeing origin stories made into tv/movies, but this is not a real origin story. Hell, i find that new Marvel little kids superhero show more entertaining.

Michael Shanks = top notch actor. Man, I
miss seeing him on StarGate! Hey MGM,
make the new movies already!

Way cool. Michael Shanks is cool.

I was very disappointed when they killed off Shank's' character on Burn Notice. I have to admit, I had given up on Smallville a few years back, but the past few seasons have been very good. I hope this will be a reacurring role for Michael. It'd be nice to see him on Eureka again as well.

It has been a little dull. All the heart is gone. Pa Kent and Ma Kent gave it a down home quality that helped you believe Clark would turn out to be decent enough and selfless enough to pursue helping people as a life calling instead of making diamonds with his superfists. It really has jumped the shark and is very 90210ish. They should make this it's last season and really build up to a spectacular finale. That would ensure DVD sales of the series for years to come. I also hate that kryptonite the cause of all problems on earth, and that there seems to be an endless supply of it. Why doesn't LexCorp just make lamps, jewlery, door stops, paper weights, glass, etc. out of it. With commercial circulation, it would render Superman powerless because it would be everywhere.

Does Michael Shanks have the body to play hawkman? Or is he gonna have to hit the gym like a madman!!! He better be shirtless as Hawkman!!!

*blush*

Smallville started out with the "meteor freak of the week" formula, now they've replaced that formula the "angst/emotional dysfunction of the week" formula popular with soap operas. The only redeeming quality the show has is the stuff outside of the main storyline, where they introduce DC characters that have nothing to do with the current angst, like the recent episode featuring Toyman (this week's angst provided by Green Arrow's guilt over killing Lex Luthor, next week, more of the same, plus Justice Society villain Roulette... yawn!). I'm hoping that having Michael Shanks as Hawkman will be one of those rare shining moments in Smallville history where the superhero side of the story takes center stage and the angst doesn't get in the way.

Excellent choice. I liked his work in Stargate Universe, and Adromenda.

Sounds good. Wish Clark would fulfill his promise to help the Martian Manhunter get his powers back. Can't belive they never brought Martha back, esp. during the 'Kara' year to her advice. Kal-El sure couldn't handle a teenage girl just like he couldn't handle Lana.

Anyone who claims Smallville is one of the best shows on tv (for any, if not all of its run), loses complete credibility in all aspects of taste. That show is a disaster and the characters haven't developed a bit since the first episode. Why that's on TV but other shows of better quality get pulled is well beyond me and my years.

Well, that's an interesting casting choice. I wonder how Shanks will look shirtless with two leather straps crossed across his chest and hefting a mace.

And will Dr. Fate's helmet look cool or silly?

I think the choice will benefit Smallville much more than it will benefit Michael Shanks. I love seeing my favorite sci-fi/ action heroes back on the screen if it doesn't typecast them. Smallville was great in the earlier years, but after nine years they haven't let the kids grow up yet. Now they're coming across as a whiny 20 somethings who can't face a superhero, let alone real, world.

I've stuck with Smallville since the beginning and its certainly had its....rough spots. But I do like the general direction the show has taken recently. I really like the addition of Green Arrow, although this season I'm not so wild about the character direction. I wish they'd do more Justice League crossovers.

Which is why I'm excited about this news. One, I love Hawkman. And two, I really liked Michael Shanks in SG1 an Burn Notice. I hope this works out better than the Martian Manhunter plot thread.

I agree that this season its time for Clark to step up and become Superman. Then get everyone in the Justice League back together for a 2- or 3-part finale to finish up the series. Finish with a bang. And setup a future potential Justice League movie with the cast...

Michael Shanks is built. He definitely will not have a problem pulling off the outfit. He just played a nerd on TV. He is actually an athlete as well. I was shocked when I found that out, so I know why you were wondering.

NOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?
That's why Smallville really needs to end.
I can't even think of Shanks dressed like an idiot in that atrocious show.
The CW needs to Stop now.

Oh get over yourself Bobby Beaver.

I've been bored with Smallville for the past 3 years and this season is really strange. But, its like an old friend. I just cant give up on it. Its time to add the Bat, CW. Not a lame hawk. The Batman will boost ratings

Excellent!

The fact that the show lasted a 9th season is proof enough that it is a good show. It does a good job of mixing content for Superman fans and content for regular WB viewers who aren't Superman fans.

That said I do believe the show should get a bigger budget and focus more on the Super hero side. Superman should be full blown Superman. It would win over even more fans if the show turns into Justice League show.

It would be nice if TV would make a show that would focus on the Super hero side and on soap opera or drama side. However, like for all other Sci Fi shows there are budget constraints that don't allow for that.

That is why Heroes, Smallville, Stargate, Battlestar, Lois and Clark, Star Trek and a bunch of other Sci Fi shows focus on some sort of drama and only have a few minutes of Superhero action.

Smallville has a good pace and the characters have grown. In fact most of the original cast is gone. Just like Stargate SG1 Smallville has proven that it can keep going for even more seasons and can even withstand casting changes.

I miss Lana. Kristen Kreuk is really beautiful and 1 of the best young actresses out there. That said there was no more room for the Lana character in the show as it was time for Clark to grow. That is why she isn't ther.

Smallville had the most accurate portrayal of Lex Luther in live action format even though he wasn't full blown Lex yet. Compare to other Superman series and the movies. In the movies Lex is kind of a buffoon. In Smallville Lex was a mastermind and his true evilness was emerging as the season went on.

Compare Smallville to the Superman movies and previous shows then you will realize how good the show really is. I agree it could be better but there is nothing on TV that comes close right now for that type of show. Heroes tried but messed up after the 1st season.

@bigalosu - you totally killed your comment when you mentioned Superhero Squad. That show is ridiculous and even someone who does not like Smallville can't really compare the show with the cartoon. That said I am a Marvel fan, but that cartoon is just plain silly

Also Michael Shanks is in really good shape that’s part of the reason why he was able to land such a hot woman like Lexa Doig. He is perfect for Hawkman. If he does a great job and the writing is good for his character, it can easily lead to a new show or a Hawkman movie.

@djzilla: Yes, Shanks is built!! An episode of Stargate had nerdy Dr. Jackson appear unclothed at the headquarters, waddling out just wrapped in the American flag...wowee this doctor has time to work out. :)

I guess Shanks can't get enough of characters who are experts in Egyptian archeology

Now if they can just add Shanks wife Lexa Doig to the show, that will be a show to watch

I'll watch the show again for Lexa Doig.

I like this show but it has been up and down. I hope Hawkman is portrayed well and shirtless! Mr Shanks had better be working out! I just don't understand Super Hero shows that never show them using their powers. Enough, let Superman fly! And if i see that same back lot street with the curve in the back i think i'll spit! I was so happy when Lana was gone, if she crossed her eyes once more! And now they have the Tesse Mercer character wielding a semi automatic gun and shooting up a bar! PLEASE! Focus on the great stories written for years in the comics and give us back our SUPER heros!

Smallville, or any other show, lasting nine seasons on the CW, WB, or UPN is like winning a D&D game in your buddy's basement. Even if anybody finds out about it, nobody important cares.

If anyone wants to know if Michael Shanks has the physique, they should watch him on Burn Notice. He's not the pasty geek from the early seasons of SG-1 anymore.