Smallville

Michael Rosenbaum Discusses His Smallville Departure

Michael Rosenbaum discussed his departure from Smallville in a new interview with Katee Sackhoff.

Published

11 months ago

February 6, 2024

Michael Rosenbaum paid a visit to his friend Katee Sackhoff‘s podcast Blah Blah Blah with Katee Sackhoff for an hour-plus-long discussion about careers, life, on-screen kisses, and more. The part that might matter most to Smallville fans, though, is that Michael talked about his departure from the show after Season 7 as well as being known as the best Lex Luthor (a sentiment shared on this very website).

On the podcast, Michael discusses how he was originally only contracted for six seasons but did extend it to include a seventh. When the time came to sign on beyond that, he was ready to leave, but Warner Bros. Television President Peter Roth wanted to meet him for lunch, ostensibly to make an offer. Even though Michael had worked for Roth for over a decade, the interaction was “like the first time he ever met me,” Michael says.

According to Michael, Peter Roth proposed a three-year deal… for the exact same amount of money he was getting on his previous contract. “That was it,” he says. After that, he didn’t want to counter, and didn’t care what they’d offer afterward. “That was it. I knew I had to respect myself, and it wasn’t worth it,” he recalls.

Which isn’t to say Smallville was a bad experience, despite having to play the same character for so many years. He always committed to and respected the role… and if people say he’s “known mostly as Lex Luthor,” that’s okay.

“F**k, yeah,” he says about that response. “If I’m known for that, and that’s the only thing in my life… that’s not awesome? I used to think ‘I’ve gotta do something better…’ How are you going to be better than playing a great character like that on a great show for so many years? Just to be lucky enough to be on a great show and be good in something is amazing. I honestly like that that’s how I’ll be remembered. That’s the best thing ever.”

At one point, Katie Sackhoff brings up the notion that many have named Michael as their favorite Lex Luthor — while Michael himself lists Gene Hackman as his favorite, the topic did also cover how even new DC Studios head (and personal friend to Michael) James Gunn has said that he was his favorite Lex Luthor. “It’s cool to see your peers and people you respect and admire, and your friends say that,” Michael says.

Michael isn’t Lex in the new Superman: Legacy film – that will be Nicholas Hoult – but Michael describes director James Gunn as “brilliant.” “I hope it’s brilliant,” he says about the movie, too. But no – it’s a different direction, and his friendship with Gunn doesn’t mean he would be guaranteed a part like that.

“That’s a thing that people think about this industry. They think you’re gonna meet someone and become friends with them, and they’re just gonna put you in everything. That does not happen. I’m here to say that that does not happen. It doesn’t mean that they’re not thinking of you; just [that] they have a vision for their projects, and sometimes it just doesn’t fit in their mind,” he says. (Gunn did use Michael in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, however, where he played Martinex.)

The entire podcast is a good listen; you can check it out embedded below.

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1 Comment

QuntBizkit

February 6, 2024 at 5:14 pm

Peter Roth strikes me as a grade A tool

Reply

Smallville

Smallville Almost Had A “Female Justice League” Episode

Writer Bryan Q. Miller has revealed that Smallville almost had a “female JLA” episode.

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2025

Craig Byrne

Derek Russell of the Super House of El podcast (originally Starkville’s House of El or SHoE, also known as The First Smallville Podcast Ever) had Smallville writer Bryan Q. Miller on for a “Getting Superman Right” episode, ostensibly to respond to the trailer for the upcoming James Gunn film, but soon pivoting toward Miller’s experience in playing with the Super-toys himself, including some major milestones for Clark and Lois.

A big surprise in the podcast, though, is the reveal that Smallville Season 10 almost had a “female Justice League” episode where Lois (Erica Durance), Kara (Laura Vandervoort), Zatanna, and Jayna of the Wonder Twins team up to save the day. The writers began breaking the episode during the first half of Smallville Season 10. “Being able to put those characters together that we had played with individually was a lot of fun, and it went away,” Miller said.

Why didn’t it happen?

There were several factors, including the notion that part of the episode hinged on why these characters had to come together, and as it turned out, the Season 10 episode “Collateral” had a similar premise with characters out of commission. “Ultimately, there was no time,” Bryan lamented.

There was a female hero team-up of sorts for Miller in his Smallville Season 11 comic story “Valkyrie” which also brought back Lana. But, alas, this will just have to end up as one of the Greatest Smallville Stories Never Told.

Give SHoE’s podcast with guest Bryan Q. Miller a listen here!

Smallville

Aaron Ashmore Added to Salute to Smallville 2025 Convention

Aaron Ashmore has been added as a guest to Creation’s Salute to Smallville 2025 convention in Chicago.

Published

1 week ago

December 28, 2024

Craig Byrne

Creation Entertainment has announced that Aaron Ashmore will be returning for the second “Salute to Smallville” convention which will be happening September 13-14, 2025 at the Westin O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.

Fans enjoyed meeting the actor who brought us Henry — er, Jimmy Olsen at the October 2024 event and the second time around should be even more exciting. Autographs and photo opportunities with Aaron can be purchased before the convention here. Right now, Creation has only listed the high-tier Gold Passes for sale, but other tiers will become available. Purchase your ticket and if there’s any way to say so, tell them KryptonSite sent you!

The first “Salute to Smallville” convention was a fantastic experience for all involved. It was a chance for some fandom friends to connect, to see your favorite actors, and to be around like-minded individuals who enjoyed that “leafy little hamlet” from back in the day all through the present. There was positive energy everywhere, and the cast and the event hosts (one of whom is writing this article) had just as much fun as the audience did. Picture this: A weekend full of Smallville, surrounded by people who also like Smallville, and the actors who brought Smallville to life.

Current other guests already signed for the 2025 event include Tom Welling (Clark), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex), Erica Durance (Lois), Kristin Kreuk (Lana), and Alaina Huffman (Black Canary) with more surely to come!

DISCLAIMER: KryptonSite’s webmaster Craig Byrne served as a host for the 2024 event alongside Derek Russell of the Super House of El podcast; Craig has also produced some websites for Creation Entertainment including their Salute to Smallville page, which would explain why it kind of looks familiar!

Smallville

More Smallville Funkos Are Coming – Pre-Order Now!

New Smallville Funko figures are on the way for three characters.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Craig Byrne

Here’s some holiday cheer we weren’t expecting to see: Funko has announced three more Smallville POP!s, with two based on Season 10 elements and one based on Season 8.

Clark’s red leather jacket from Season 10 gets the spotlight in one of them, showing off the outfit/”costume” worn by the Blur (Tom Welling) in the final season. Next, we’ve got a “Kara Kent” looking very Supergirly as she looked in the Season 10 episode “Supergirl.”

And then there’s Doomsday… Max?!? We have no idea what “Doomsday Max” means. It sounds like a bad name for a soda or a streaming service. But it is based on the Season 8 take on Doomsday, and it’s too bad it doesn’t come as part of a 2-pack with a Davis Bloome.

We’re assuming these will be out in 2025 sometime; updates will come when and if they become available. Any and all new Smallville merch is always welcome, especially considering the recent resurgence of excitement around the series. And in success, who could be next? Lana? More Justice Leaguers? Tess? Dr. Emil? Lionel? The Kents? John Jones? Pete? Amy Adams eating a deer? Anything’s possible… though a Chloe Funko POP! would surprise us at this point due to the actress’ real-life situations.

UPDATE: Pre-order links are now here! Order through KryptonSite’s links and help support this site!