We mentioned last year that Michael Rosenbaum, the actor who so wonderfully portrays the villainous Lex Luthor on the CW Network’s “Smallville” series would be departing from the show at sometime in the future. Well sadly, that time has arrived.

“Smallville” Executive Producers Darren Swimmer, Todd Slavkin, Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson; The CW Network; and Warner Bros. Television have issued a joint statement regarding Michael Rosenbaum’s departure from the popular show.

“It has been an honor and pleasure to work with Michael for the past seven seasons. He is one of the best actors on television and has never failed to bring a new layer to the character of Lex Luthor in every episode. While Michael won’t be a series regular and we won’t have the pleasure of working with him on a weekly basis this fall, we like to think that we haven’t seen the last of Lex Luthor. Stay tuned.”

For his part, Michael released a letter wanting to thank all his fans for their support over the years.

Dear Smallville Fans,

Well, it’s been seven wonderful years. Your support is what has made Smallville so successful, and I appreciate you all more than you know.

That being said, it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life and career. I hope that I gave you some enjoyment over the years, and that you found my portrayal of Lex Luthor to be satisfying. I am truly grateful, as Smallville fans are the best fans out there. I sincerely hope that you will continue to follow my career through my hair growth period and beyond.

I’m very excited about what the future holds, but certainly, Smallville will always be a part of me. I will definitely miss the greatest crew in the world, and the wonderful cast that has been like a family to me.

Thank you Al and Miles for creating the show. Thank you writers, producers, directors and editors. Thanks Tollin, Robbins and Davola for being there for the pilot. Thank you Peter Roth for employing me for ten years. Lisa Lewis, I miss you already. John Glover, thanks for helping me feel more comfortable touching other actors, while acting. Bizarre, but helpful.

Mostly, I want to thank Greg Beeman for directing the “Oh Sherry” video, by Steve Perry, back in the 80’s.

Thanks crew. Thanks fans. Thanks Smallville.

I love you all,

Michael Rosenbaum

Michael’s portrayal of Lex Luthor has helped to redefine the villain who has served as Superman’s main arch enemy for decades, first in comic books, then in film. The creators of “Smallville” gave a plausible backstory to the life of this famous baddie, revealing sides to the character never before seen and only an actor of Michael’s caliber could have pulled it off with such finesse. He will be missed.

The CW Network has released a few details about two of the new villains our superhero will come up against this upcoming 8th season of “Smallville.”

Two new villains will join the cast of characters on “Smallville” for season 8: the legendary, unstoppable Doomsday, and a female antagonist who will challenge Clark in ways never before imagined. Casting is underway for both roles.

* Doomsday: In season eight, Clark will face his ultimate challenge with the appearance of the legendary, unstoppable destroyer Doomsday, who appears on “Smallville” for the first time. As comic book fans know, Doomsday is notorious for being the only character in the DC Comics universe to have killed Superman.

* Female villain: Doomsday won’t be Clark’s only nemesis in the upcoming season. The executive producers are tight-lipped about a new female villain they will be introducing, but they can say she will be familiar to many fans and will set her sights on Clark in ways Lex never could. Intelligent, brilliantly manipulative, and dangerously sinister, our gorgeous new villain has one more weapon in her arsenal: Her mutual attraction with Clark may prove to be as deadly as kryptonite for him.