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Within the realm of diversifications of the “Superman” mythos, “Smallville” is actually up there when it comes to its enduring recognition. The sequence, which starred Tom Welling as Clark Kent, aired for a whopping 10 seasons (amassing greater than 200 episodes to its title alongside the best way). It even lasted via two networks as The WB finally transitioned to The CW. Starring alongside Welling was Michael Rosenbaum as his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. However Rosenbaum did not go the gap, with the actor leaving the present after Season 7. Why would an actor go away a profitable sci-fi present early? Rosenbaum had his causes.
In a 2016 interview with Empire, the actor addressed his departure at size. Then head of the community Peter Roth did attempt to get Rosenbaum to remain for “Smallville” Seasons 8 and 9. As an actor, nevertheless, Rosenbaum had different pursuits in thoughts (particularly, comedy):
“[Roth] tried to get me to do two extra seasons of ‘Smallville.’ I used to be very well mannered and respectful. I mentioned, ‘Peter, my grandma thinks I am humorous and I’ve all the time needed to do comedy, and I began out in comedy, and I used to be doing tons of comedy, after which I used to be catapulted into this function that I like and it has been nice, however I used to be contracted for six years to play Lex Luthor, I did seven, and I am simply prepared to maneuver on and I am simply able to take a brand new step.'”
Rosenbaum was detached throughout his audition for “Smallville,” but he landed the function and it consumed practically a decade of his life. Nonetheless, he had different pursuits in thoughts. Roth, nevertheless, pressed him on the problem to no avail. As Rosenbaum recalled:
“He checked out me and says, ‘You understand, Julianna Margulies, she turned down tens of millions of {dollars} to stick with ‘ER’ and look the place she is now.’ It wasn’t two or three years later the place she simply made a fortune with ‘The Good Spouse’ and all of that, and her profession simply took off. I mentioned, ‘I will financial institution on my expertise. I am simply going to take an opportunity on me. I believe I’ve completed this lengthy sufficient, I did this character for seven years and I simply do not feel like shaving my head for 2 extra years.'”
Michael Rosenbaum took a calculated threat by leaving Smallville
Regardless of the obscure risk that his profession would possibly undergo, Rosembaum caught to his weapons and left “Smallville” behind. The actor did finally return for the sequence finale, even when he solely filmed for someday. “I kind of did it for the followers and did it for me for closure and to say, ‘Hey, I did come again.’ I did do it, and that is finally why,” Rosenbaum defined in that very same Empire interview.
Rosenbaum has addressed his departure from the present a number of occasions in newer historical past. On his podcast “Within You” in 2024, he spoke to sequence creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, explaining, “A part of that cause is 2 different individuals left after Season 7,” referring to them. On an episode of Katee Sackhoff’s podcast “BlahBlahBlah,” Rosenbaum additionally recalled the assembly with Roth, revealing that he was supplied the identical sum of money that he was already being paid to get him to remain, which was the ultimate nail within the coffin. “That was it. I knew I needed to respect myself, and it wasn’t price it,” he added.
“Smallville” was canceled after Season 10 by The CW, although it did later return in comedian guide kind. As for Rosenbaum, he did certainly pursue different alternatives, together with transient appearances within the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, along with main the comparatively short-lived TV sequence “Impastor.” Rosenbaum additionally returned to the DC universe on the animated aspect of issues, lending his voice to tasks like “Justice League: Doom” and “Nightwing and Robin” (the place he voiced The Flash and Scarecrow, respectively), amongst others.
Rosenbaum has been succeeded as Lex Luthor by a number of actors within the years since. Jon Cryer finally performed Lex Luthor within the Arrowverse on “Supergirl” along with a number of crossovers. Wanting forward, Nicholas Hoult is presently resulting from play the villain in James Gunn’s “Superman” film in summer season 2025.
You’ll be able to seize “Smallville: The Full Sequence” on DVD or Blu-ray from Amazon.