It was reported Michael Rosenbaum, the actor who played a fan-favorite starting-out Lex Luthor for 10 seasons on Smallville, would reprise his role for The CW’s supersized Arrowverse event, Crisis on Infinite Earths. Unfortunately, that news is premature.
We Got This Covered initially ran with the story as a sure thing, saying it came from a consistently reliable source. They were very excited and assumed readers would be too.
But Rosenbaum was quick to cast doubt on the story via Twitter. He wrote he hadn’t heard about his involvement and tagged Jon Cryer to see who else had insight.
First I’ve heard of this… Cryer you know something I don’t? Anyone? @MrJonCryer https://t.co/dUmWPM33Cp
— Michael Rosenbaum (@michaelrosenbum) August 6, 2019
Cryer plays Lex on Supergirl but he is a bit of a Luthor legacy actor. He played nephew to Gene Hackman’s Luthor in Superman IV.
Optimistic fans tweeted Rosenbaum back, encouraging him to show up to CW’s DC sets in Vancouver. Their thinking is an offer will be made on the spot to cameo.
DC In Crisis
Crisis on Infinite Earths is CW’S next big DC crossover and this time all the stops are being pulled out. Characters and actors from DC television past and present are being thrown in the mix. A report indicated Lynda Carter would return to her classic portrayal as Wonder Woman and Burt Ward would guest star as an older version of his iconic Robin from the 60s. Adam West’s Batman was laid to rest. (Related: Report: CW Crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths Will Feature DCEU Characters Plus Lynda Carter, Burt Ward, and Tom Welling!)
However, producer Marc Guggenheim recently appeared at the Television Critics Association where he discussed the possibility of Lynda Carter making a cameo, “I don’t ever comment on casting, but it always vexes me if an illegitimate outlet just makes up stuff.”
Burt Ward was confirmed to appear in the crossover at San Diego Comic-Con. Legendary Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy was also confirmed at The Television Critics Association panel. The crossover will also feature Cress Williams’ Black Lightning. (Related: Rumor: Mark Hamill to Play Joker in Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover)
DC Cinema is reportedly on the table as well. If Greg Berlanti and company can, they want to add cameos from the Extended Universe, even if it amounts to brief clips of, for instance, Henry Cavill. And former Superman Brandon Routh, current star of Legends of Tomorrow and portrayer of The Atom, signed on for the additional role of Kingdom Come Superman — putting him back in the cape.
Crisis won’t air for a couple of months so a cameo, if not more, by Michael Rosenbaum as Lex could still happen. Talks could have even begun now that the idea is out there and meeting a positive reaction.
Crisis on Infinite Earths airs in December.