Michael Rosenbaum closes a deal to return as Lex Luthor for the Smallville series finale
Michael Rosenbaum has signed a deal to return as Lex Luthor for the series finale of Smallville, despite a report from last night that indicated he would not come back, according to TVLine. Here's what showrunners Brian Wayne Peterson and Kelly Souders had to say about the return of Lex Luthor.
"It feels like the stars are aligning, literally. We couldn't be more excited about having Michael back. And as far as the way he returns ... there'll be no doubt about how Lex becomes the great rival in Clark Kent's life. He is the villain of the story."
Michael Rosenbaum himself also chimed in on coming back for the conclusion of the show.
"I'm simply doing it for all of the fans out there who made Smallville the great success it is. I appreciate all of their passion, their relentlessness and even their threats. I can't wait to hug the old crew back in Vancouver one last time and see all of my old friends once again... Oh, and for Lex to become the badass he's destined to be."
Rosenbaum also tweeted this tonight...
"I'm excited to come back one last time. Just promise me you'll all watch my new stuff. Then we will be even. Haha. Rock the hell on friends!"
Michael Rosenbaum last appeared on Smallville in May 2008, for the Season 7 finale. We reported earlier this week that Smallville will air a two-hour series finale on Friday, May 13 from 8 PM ET to 10 PM ET.
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Lane
Pretty much. The difference being that Chris Carter never left his baby behind, in the hands of people he didn't think qualified or didn't trust to carry on the legacy he started.
Still, there were advantages and disadvantages, to this and to XF (and other shows like it).
2 years agoby @lane1Flag
Dan
Kind of like the X-Files syndrome? Even the same amount of seasons with where it was decidedly going on for too long.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Lane
LOL, its cool. You're a Superman fan, we get it. :)
I do see what you're saying though, and while I'm not making excuses for the writing... you also have to consider that the original producers/creators always said from the start that Clark was never going to wear the suit on the show (til the end). Unfortunately, I don't think they could've foreseen the show would ever go on as long as it has. Probably part of the reason they left the show in the first place (original producers) after season 7. They felt the show had gone on too long and the studio/network was trying to cash in on the show's success. Which I'm assuming is what happened considering they left over "creative differences" (go figure)... but Gough and Millar refused to speak out about it, so no one really knows what happened. I'm sure the truth will come out sooner or later (Though for the WB's sake, they better hope it never will).
2 years agoby @lane1Flag
Dan
I can see where you're coming from, from the studios perspective that would continue to pull people in and wait it out to see that moment (and earnestly building anticipation/excitement, I suppose). However, they probably could have gotten away with showing him in the suit earlier in the show with excellent writing and plots (which I'm sure there was, but my point being they could have incorporated the suit in with it earlier then 10 entire seasons, which is a LOT of show). But, I don't have much say in the matter, as I don't/haven't watched the show yet (yes I know that sounds odd considering my username, which is more derived from the Reeves movies and animated movies then Smallville).
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Lane
@dan1: Yes, its definitely irritating (that's why I'm hoping to see him in *some* movie, ANY movie in the suit some time in the future). But to be perfectly honest, I think the length of him being in the suit is not important, in the end. I mean, think about it... I can understand why the producers wouldn't want to show him in the suit any sooner than the last episode because if you show too much too early, it doesn't give enough time for the suspense to build up, and if you show it BEFORE the finale or the final moments of it, less people will tune in to see it (since more people will watch the finale, even if they don't actually watch the show).
So, once you show him in the suit, the thrill is basically gone after you've already seen it and the build-up to that. Fans have been very patient for that moment, and they know exactly what to expect. Whereas non-fans who don't follow the show won't care one way or another how it affects them, just that it does affect them in some way (seeing Tom/Clark as a symbol, not just the man).
2 years agoby @lane1Flag
Dan
@lane1 Thanks for clearing that up. Don't you find that slightly irritating though, that you'll most likely only get to see him suited up for 5 minutes in the finale, as you say? I mean, you mentioned he's been using his powers all this time outside of the suit, which is cool, and yes, I'd say that still makes him Superman (or more specifically Kal-El, since his powers derive from being an alien to Earth and the effects that has on him with our gravity being different, and Superman is more an idea, a symbol), but there is a mystical quality to seeing him in that suit. I'm sure this'll be something debated among Smallville fans for a long time.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Lane
@bruce-ha: Yeah, it was really great finally seeing the 2 of them in that world. It'd be really nice to be able to see that again. *crosses fingers for one or several Smallville movies* Let's hope!
2 years agoby @lane1Flag
Lane
@dan1: You said something on the Henry Cavill is Superman article a couple weeks ago that I wanted to comment on but I figured I'd do it here, in the Smallville forum, rather than on the Superman movie to avoid anymore anomosity between users. And also, I thought if any Smallville fans want to comment on it as well, we could possibly spark a fun discussion to see what people think on the topic.
In the article, you asked if 10 seasons of Smallville was enough for Welling as Superman... Unfortunately, I don't think it ever will be. On one side, you have the non-fans who will simply never accept him in the role, and on the other side you have the people who, while fans of him and the show, constantly percieve him to be "Clark", not Superman. So I think its a lose-lose for Tom all around. Personally, I've always seen Clark Kent and Superman as one in the same, but that's just me... Not to mention the fact that he's been using his powers since the start of the show and you've got your Superman right there (just without the suit).
For the rest of the fans who want to see him in the suit, by the end of the show he will have worn it for a total of 5 minutes, possibly the entirety of the final episode, and that'll be it. Regardless of how long he wears the suit, fans will just be left wanting more because they will have this vision of him imprinted in their minds of how Tom looks as/embodies Superman. Its kind of the same deal for every actor who's ever played Superman... whichever actor fits the character to the fans liking, that is the one they're always going to remember the most and want in the role -- Forever.
Guess that's part of the reason they call it the "Superman curse." Once you've played the character, that can never be undone and you'll always be stuck with this image of who everyone thinks you should be hanging over your head.
Its not easy bein' Big Blue.
For me though, Chris Reeve will always be the definitive movie Superman and Tom Welling will always be my TV Superman (cuz let's face it, Dean Cain was a joke and George Reeves, well... he was before my time). But seriously, I could never take Cain seriously. AoL&C will always be seen as a Superman comedy to me, lol.
2 years agoby @lane1Flag
bruce_ha
@lane
She is great in the Smallville series, especially that one episode when Clark meets himself in the alternate future. Damn in that episode both Tom Welling and Erica Durance were great. For the firs time i ever felt they would actually do great in a Superman movie together.
Ontopic, Michael Rosenbaum a great actor and a great role, glad that he'll be back.
2 years agoby @bruce-haFlag
Lane
@bruce-ha: Finally, someone who agrees with me! I've LOVED Lois on the show for a good while now (not right away, but definitely the last few seasons). Especially with Erica Durance in the role... she's brilliant! :D
2 years agoby @lane1Flag
bruce_ha
I could tell by the last episode that aired. Alexander reallly looked like Michael Rosenbaum.
I figured they'd bring back Michael for his role one last time, and man will it be great. He was my favorite character of Smallville for a while til Lois entered the cast.
Go Lex!
2 years agoby @bruce-haFlag
Remy72883
i think it would be cool to see him kill the clone, that would be awesome,
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
Pjwolsker
uh oh. spammers are back
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
Pjwolsker
this guy is actually really funny in real life
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
cryhawks
That's awesome news can't wait to see him again I just wonder if he''ll be that clone or somehow Green Arrow didn't really kill him & just maid it look like he did. I hope it's the later & in the end the real Lex kills the clone 1
2 years agoby @cryhwksFlag
Brian
@lane1 You're so happy right now. :)
2 years agoby @brianFlag
Brian
Well said @barkx! Totally agree!
2 years agoby @brianFlag
Barkx
I was so heart broken earlier in the week when it was reported that Rosenbaum was NOT going to be back as Lex in the Smallville season finale. As a long time fan, it was a real kick in the guts and slap in the face!
But when I saw this headline, I literally fell off my seat and was dumbstruck!
I can not tell you how HAPPY I was to read those first two words... "It's Official!"
Smallville is an amazing series. It has created it's own mythology, based strongly on the comics. This last season has been one of the greatest, and it will be sad to see it end. Having said that though, it is going to end on such a HIGH!
All the dominoes are starting to fall in the right place, and to have Rosenbaum come back to play Lex is just... amazing! The fact that Rosenbaum acknowledges that he is simply coming back to please the fans is quite a testament to the series' massive fan base. We love our show, and we have been very vocal in our desire to get him back for the end of the series... I laughed when I read Rosenbaum say... "I appreciate all of their passion, their relentlessness and even their threats..." As I said, we have been vocal, lol! : )
But that is only because Rosenbaum IS Lex Luthor. His portrayal of the character is amazing! Some pretty big names have played Luthor, Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey, but as talented as they are, Rosenbaum's portrayal of Lex is by far the strongest. Smallville has allowed the character to be developed and explored in a way that can only happen in a tv series, and Rosenbaum's portrayal is definitive.
On behalf of all the Smallville fans, we THANK YOU Michael Rosenbaum. Indeed, we all will "...Rock the hell on...!"
2 years agoby @barkxFlag
CUPID
Yeah the last fight will be f*cking awseome,now thats he's back.
2 years agoby @cupidFlag
Equialuv
Yes!!! Thats AWESOME!!!!! Ending Smallville without Lex just wouldn't be the same! Michael Rosenbaum, you rock!
2 years agoby @equialuvFlag
Fike
Well since cloned Lex is invicible (as you sceen in last nights episode) expect a bad-ass ending. Lex vs Clark showdown. Im not missing May 13th!
2 years agoby @FikeFlag
Corey W.
Smallville is going to be going out with a bang, folks. Thank you, Rosenbaum. You don't know how long I've been waiting for this article. I'd like Lana to get better closer, as well, but hey...this is enough.
@lane: Maybe Rosenbaum was seeing all the news that fans wanted him back and he finally decided to do it.
2 years agoby @coreyFlag
Fike
Now this is whats up! Its going to be an epic ending!
2 years agoby @FikeFlag
Perickson81
That is great news!
2 years agoby @perickson81Flag
Mutant
At least he's coming back for the final that's what counts the most
2 years agoby @zenderFlag
Buriblazing
nice
2 years agoby @buriblazingFlag
Furankisan
This thing is still around? Jeez, shame they never had the budget, how can they afford Rosenbaum. Well he deserves it, he was the best thing about the show. When he left the show was over. And nothing against the other actors.
2 years agoby @frank-ballFlag
TheMerchandise
Oh cut the bullsh*t. I know they offered you more money Michael.
2 years agoby @TheMerchandiseFlag
Lane
What really pissed me off about all this speculation, wasn't that it was dragged out for months and months on whether or not he'd return, but the fact that EW released the news they supposedly had the "inside scoop" after the "interview" they had with him JUST YESTERDAY. And now here we are the day after and its confirmed.
Really? A whole frickin' DAY!?! They couldn't have made it seem just a *little* bit more believable that this wasn't actually a publicity stunt? One minute he's "put the show behind him" and the next he's "doing it all for the fans." - FAIL!
WIN on Michael's coming back, however. :]
2 years agoby @lane1Flag
Lane
@skeptichero: Sorority Boys is a funny movie! I would definitely buy that! =D
@Kinetic: You know, its funny... for all the people who rag on the show, I think a lot of people's minds will be changed once it concludes and will leave a big impact on everyone's lives. Much bigger than the one its already left. I think people will be a lot more accepting of it once they see the final result, and that Smallville will leave a lasting imprint on the superhero genre for generations to come, just like Superman would want it to do. :)
Oh, and... you should catch up. You're really missing out!
2 years agoby @lane1Flag