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You can be forgiven for believing "Smallville" would be facing a kryptonite-infused series conclusion at the end of the current eighth season. But now it looks like The CW are keen to keep the Boy-of-Steel around for another year ... and they are willing to pay to get their wish.

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that series actor Tom Welling is in serious discussions with the network to renew his contract for a ninth season. Even better, the deal involved some series additions to his paycheck.

"There's news, and it's good. Some would even call it, ahem, super," Michael Ausiello said in his column. "According to a well-placed 'Smallville' insider, Welling is nearing a deal to return for a ninth season. I'm told they're just ironing out some minor deal points, such as should the Brinks Truck pull into the actor's driveway, or just unload on the street."

Of course this isn't the first time that "Smallville" has forked out some big bucks to bring back its cast. At the end of the seventh season, Allison Mack was ready to join Michael Rosenbaum and Kristen Kreuk at the show's exit door. However, with such a huge casting loss, producers quickly realized that the role of Chloe Sullivan would become more essential than ever before and a deal was reached to keep the actress committed to the series.

"Smallville" has gone through regular transformations every few seasons which may be the secret to the show's longevity. At the end of the fourth season, the series said good-bye to Smallville High and sent the superhero-to-be into more comic-themed stories. This year has had a similar face lift as Clark finally joins The Daily Planet.

The show has since introduced the Justice League and, when it returns later this month, will also add The Legion to its list of comic adaptations.

"Smallville" returns to The CW on Jan. 15.