‘Nobody Got Fired So I Could Do Lex’: Superman And Lois Actor Gets Honest About Following In Michael Rosenbaum And Jon Cryer’s Footsteps

As a dedicated fan who has witnessed the evolution of Superman and his universe through various mediums over the years, I must say that the inclusion of Lex Luthor in Superman & Lois is truly raising the stakes for the final season. Michael Cudlitz’s portrayal of Lex is both chilling and captivating, making him a worthy addition to the list of actors who have brought this iconic villain to life on The CW.


In simple terms, “Superman & Lois” is elevating its final season by introducing Lex Luthor, a longtime adversary of Superman. The upcoming stage of Lex’s vengeance, as hinted at during Season 4’s premiere, promises to be terrifying. Meanwhile, Michael Cudlitz is impressively stepping into the role of DC’s notorious antagonist, joining an exclusive club of actors who have portrayed this villain on The CW. Now, he candidly discusses following in the footsteps of Michael Rosenbaum and Jon Cryer.

Michael Rosenbaum played Lex Luthor frequently across seven seasons of the TV show “Smallville”, which aired on The WB/The CW for 10 seasons. Later, he made a special appearance in the final episode of the series starring Tom Welling. Some time after that, Jon Cryer joined the cast as Lex Luthor in the Arrowverse, leading many to believe he would play the role again in “Superman & Lois”.

In the second season of the show known as S&L, connections to the Arrowverse were rewritten, allowing for a fresh portrayal of Lex Luthor by a new actor. Michael Cudlitz’s version of Lex was introduced towards the end of Season 3, swiftly becoming a terrifying presence. The former star of “The Walking Dead” shared his thoughts with TV Insider on continuing the legacy of the beloved villain and discussed any encounters he may have had with those who previously played the role.

Previously, I’ve encountered Michael Rosenbaum at conventions and casually. We share many common friends, and I had a chat with him for his podcast when I was in Toronto filming Clarice. Our conversation was exceptional. At that time, none of this current project was planned; it was two years ago. Although Jon Cryer had made a comforting statement to appease fans who were displeased about his move from Supergirl, I don’t believe Michael has been directly questioned or interviewed about it specifically yet.

Back in 2023, Jon Cryer genuinely commended his successor for landing the role. It’s also heartening to learn that Michael Cudlitz and Michael Rosenbaum had an enjoyable conversation, which took place prior to Cudlitz being selected for Superman & Lois. For those who may still harbor doubts about Cudlitz stepping into the role, he provided a fair assessment of the situation.

It’s clear that we recognize the differences between these situations, characters, and timelines. Since no one was let go, I have the opportunity to portray Lex. This is a new Lex in a new setting. I can only speculate that Michael will be thrilled with this development.

When Michael Cudlitz was chosen to play Luthor, the show “Supergirl” had already concluded its broadcast, marking the end of Jon Cryer’s tenure in that role. Since “S&L” is set in a distinct universe, it made sense for a new actor to be cast. Michael Cudlitz has a challenging task ahead, as he follows in the footsteps of his predecessor, but fans are already intrigued by his portrayal and how it differs from previous interpretations.

Admittedly, it would have been thrilling to witness Michael Rosenbaum reprise his role as Lex Luthor, even briefly, given that Tom Welling and Erica Durance reappeared as Clark Kent and Lois Lane respectively in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover. The same sentiment applies to Jon Cryer, but it’s been enjoyable watching a new actor portray Lex. The only non-Kent family member to be part of the main cast for Season 4 of Smallville, Michael Cudlitz’s Lex is bound to inflict more harm, further solidifying his evil reputation.

In the 2024 television lineup, you’ll be able to watch new episodes of “Superman & Lois” Season 4 every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on The CW. If you want to catch up on the previous three seasons, you can stream them using a Max subscription.

Read More

2024-10-08 22:07