WB's vampire is joining 'Smallville'

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — James Marsters is returning to the WB. But not as Spike, the bleached-blond vampire who was a regular on both "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel."

He's joining the cast of "Smallville" for at least six episodes as Professor Milton Fine, a k a Brainiac, whom series star Tom Welling describes as "the ultimate villain."

You might not immediately recognize Marsters, because he'll be playing the part "without the British accent and the blond hair," Welling said. "Which I'm kind of sad about, but we'll see."

Actually, the Powers That Be at the WB would be thrilled to see Marsters return as Spike, too, providing "Angel"/"Buffy" creator/executive producer/writer Joss Whedon is involved.

"We would love to do a Joss Whedon-produced Spike movie with James Marsters," said WB Entertainment president David Janollari. "Up until very recently, Joss has been directing 'Wonder Woman,' so his availability has not been there. I believe he may become more available this year. . . . We would gladly do a Spike movie if the two of them want to do it."

And, while nothing has gone past the talking stage, "Believe me, we're actually very interested in getting back into the series business with Joss," Janollari said.

When the network announced the cancellation of "Angel" a year ago, it also announced tentative plans to do one or more movies that would bring the vampire with a soul (David Boreanaz) back to the network. Plans that have gone nowhere and are going nowhere.

"David Boreanaz is in a new show, so an 'Angel' movie would be a little bit difficult to do right now while he's on this new show on Fox," Janollari said. (Boreanaz is co-starring in "Bones," which premieres this fall on Ch. 13 locally.)

"SMALLVILLE" IS MOVING to Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the fall, but Welling said the cast and production staff feel "re-energized" heading into their fifth season.

"We know moving to Thursdays is a challenge," Welling said. "I don't think it is, because I think we're going to do all right, to tell you the truth. But we feel up to the task."

As most of the younger characters on the show head to college this fall, there will be a couple of additions. Clark gets to visit the Fortress of Solitude, which Welling describes as "brilliant" and "spectacular."

Aquaman is going to show up.

"He actually dates Lois Lane, which isn't on here, but I'm telling you anyway," Welling said. "Which is interesting because Erica Durance, who's wonderful (as) Lois, in real life is terrified of the water. So she's playing a character who's in love with, well, a guy who can't lie outside of the water. So this will be interesting on the set."

And John Schneider, who plays Clark's human father, will be rejoined by his ex-"Dukes of Hazzard" co-star, Tom Wopat.

"He's going to play a senator," Welling said. "And I don't know what's going to happen with the story line, but I'd really love to see those two slug it out, to tell the truth. I mean, how fun would that be?"

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com