The latest from Ausiello below.  FYI – The quote from Justin Hartley in the first question is from his interview on the video clip I added a couple of days ago (left sidebar) from the 2009 Saturn Awards.

Question: Ever since the news of Callum Blue being cast as Zod on Smallville was reported, there is one question we are all dying to know: Was the “Mason” role, in fact, Zod? –C.B.
Ausiello: Yep, it sure was. Speaking of which, Justin Hartley doesn’t think a Green Arrow-Zod face-off is in the cards next season. “I have the good sense in my head to let Clark deal with [him],” he says with a laugh. “I’ll stick to dealing with the ladies. Why would I start something with that guy? That guy looks tall in photos. I don’t need a piece of that guy.”

Question: Could you kindly tell us Smallville fans what Season 9 will be about? –Colin
Ausiello: According to Justin Hartley, a portion of it will be about Oliver confronting his demons. “I think he is going to struggle with the things he has been afforded [as a result of] his powers,” he says. “He has sacrificed things and done things that haunt him… It’s bad stuff. We need to get to the bottom of it.”

SOURCE: EW