KryptonSite Exclusive: Aaron Ashmore Talks Smallville
At the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, California on July 17, we were able to catch up with Aaron Ashmore who takes on the role of Jimmy Olsen in Smallville's sixth season, which begins airing on September 28 on the new CW Network.

Fans of Veronica Mars are probably the ones who know Aaron the best, from his role as Troy Vandegraff in several episodes of the show's first season and one episode in year two. So what was it like going from one snarky blonde to another, as Jimmy is rumored to be romantically involved with Chloe Sullivan in Smallville's sixth year? "I feel really, really lucky to be able to do that. Somebody's gotta do it, so I will definitely volunteer to be the one that goes from one beautiful girl to the next," Aaron says.

Aaron has already done a day of shooting as Jimmy Olsen and is impressed with the "well-oiled machine" they have at Smallville. "It was actually the first day that they started back. Even with a 3-month break or whatever it is, they just jump right back in. So it was great," he said.

Aaron's first Smallville scenes are set at the Daily Planet, where he shares screen time with Allison Mack (Chloe) and Tom Welling (Clark). "I got to do a couple scenes with Allison Mack, and I did a scene with Tom Welling as well. Both were very welcome, and it was just totally cool. They were just like, 'come and play'. It was really great," he revealed.

Ashmore is familiar with previous interpretations of Jimmy Olsen, particularly from the Richard Donner movies and the recent Superman Returns film. In fact, Sam Huntington, who played Jimmy Olsen in Superman Returns, is a friend. Because of their busy schedules, they haven't gotten a chance to talk about it, but it is something Aaron would like to do in the future. "My roommate Mike [Daugherty, one of the screenwriters of Superman Returns] told him that I got the part, and he text messaged me, like 'Yeah! Way to go Aaron' and stuff. I haven't talked to him because I've just been all over the place, but I'm looking forward to sitting down with him, and being like 'Big screen, small screen. Who knew?'" Fans of Veronica Mars may remember Aaron Ashmore and Sam Huntington sharing screen time in the Season 1 episode "You Think You Know Somebody."

Aaron does not know at this time how many episodes of Smallville will feature Jimmy Olsen, but he has had time for some outside projects. One project is currently filming - a movie called Palo Alto also starring Ryan Hansen, "Dick Casablancas" of Veronica Mars. "I don't know when it's going to be out, but keep an eye open for it, because I think it's gonna be great," Aaron tells us. And although he does not know what the plans are, he wouldn't rule out a return appearance on Veronica Mars if they should want to bring back Troy. "I think Veronica Mars is a great show, so if they wanted me to, I would love to. I love the show, and I love the character of Troy, too," he tells us.

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