Regarding Michael Rosenbaum

[KalElofKrypton]

I'm sure it's been pointed out by countless members who are able to post more often than I am able to, due to my ridiculous work and school schedules, but I just want an answer, and people's opinions too, as to the exit of Michael Rosenbaum as Lex. Here's my take:

If I were in Michael's position, I'm not sure how I'd feel. After working seven years with the same people, and claiming to have a great working experience on the set, why all of a sudden would I decide to up and leave?

I understand his contract was up, but to renew his contract for just one more year...Would that have been so terrible? Tom's contract is up at the end of the year, so surely the writers have some sort of ending worked out, or at least they should.

(As an aside, I think it was wrong not to approach Tom about his contract at the end of last season, so the writers would know where to take this season.)

I sympathize with Michael in many ways. Residing in the states, and working in a different country for most of the year must be a strain. I've heard too many people talk about shaving his head, and how hard it must be to find work that way. I admire Michael's committment to Lex by shaving his head week after week, but if it was bothering him...Why not just wear a cap?

I'm not Michael Rosenbaum, so I therefore am not sure why he decided to leave. I don't mean to offend him, this is simply my opinion.

My only concern is the ending of Smallville. To not have Lex Luthor somehow involved with what could be the ending of Smallville is just wrong. I would love for the writers to at least show some sign of Lex during the season; to show that his influence is still felt, despite his physical absence.

All in all, I don't understand why Michael left so abruptly. Again, I understand his contract was up, but Lex's story on Smallville shouldn't end with the collapse of the Fortress. I thank you, Michael, for the seven years of magnificent acting you've provided us all. I hope to see you back in Smallville, however.

I know this little report was choppy and all over the place, but I would love to hear some of your opinions and if anyone has an answer that could end my constant wondering, please share it.

 

[Brainiac 8]

He has mentioned in many of his interviews that he was tired of shaving his head, since that limited what he could do outside of Smallville...a limitation none of the other actors on the show had.

I hope he comes back to the show for at least a cameo, but I'm not hopeful.

 

[triplet]

I saw him at Dragon*Con this summer and it was clear that he's not coming back and that it was mostly due to shaving his head, but he had also said that he thought that Lex's story didn't really have anywhere else to go and he's right.

Why would he come back? To have Lex become evil? He was, so what would have they done? Have him be redeemed like at the beginning of last season (the whole thing with thinking that Kara was his savior)?

It's crazy the way they had Lex going back and forth between good and bad the last few years.

Shaving his head wasn't his favorite thing to do, but he was right: Lex really had no where else to go without undoing what had already had happened.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

I'm sure it's been pointed out by countless members who are able to post more often than I am able to, due to my ridiculous work and school schedules, but I just want an answer, and people's opinions too, as to the exit of Michael Rosenbaum as Lex. Here's my take:

If I were in Michael's position, I'm not sure how I'd feel. After working seven years with the same people, and claiming to have a great working experience on the set, why all of a sudden would I decide to up and leave?

people leave jobs for many reasons. Money, career opportunities, family, etc. All of those usually take precedence over liking the people you work with.

I understand his contract was up, but to renew his contract for just one more year...Would that have been so terrible? Tom's contract is up at the end of the year, so surely the writers have some sort of ending worked out, or at least they should.

(As an aside, I think it was wrong not to approach Tom about his contract at the end of last season, so the writers would know where to take this season.)

the show only gets renewed on a year to year basis. Now that the actors are out of their initial show contracts, they get re-upped if the show does.

I sympathize with Michael in many ways. Residing in the states, and working in a different country for most of the year must be a strain.

dude, it's Canada. It's exactly like the U.S. only they're a bit more pissed off and have this odd fetish of putting maple syrup on ham

I've heard too many people talk about shaving his head, and how hard it must be to find work that way. I admire Michael's committment to Lex by shaving his head week after week, but if it was bothering him...Why not just wear a cap?

because they look silly. see Gene Hackman in Superman IV

I'm not Michael Rosenbaum, so I therefore am not sure why he decided to leave. I don't mean to offend him, this is simply my opinion.

My only concern is the ending of Smallville. To not have Lex Luthor somehow involved with what could be the ending of Smallville is just wrong. I would love for the writers to at least show some sign of Lex during the season; to show that his influence is still felt, despite his physical absence.

I think we've seen that in the first 3 episodes already. Its not like they've forgotten him. Tess' M.O. is basically to find him at all costs and run LuthorCorp as he would in his stead.

All in all, I don't understand why Michael left so abruptly. Again, I understand his contract was up, but Lex's story on Smallville shouldn't end with the collapse of the Fortress. I thank you, Michael, for the seven years of magnificent acting you've provided us all. I hope to see you back in Smallville, however.

It really wasnt that abrupt. From what I've heard, he told them at the beginning of last year that it would be his last. His initial 5 year contract and 2 options were up.

According to the producers there are some plans to bring him back in some capacity before the show ends for good, but I dont think thats guaranteed.

 

[Brainiac 8]

I wasn't saying that he should come back...it is just my wish.

I do agree with them flip flopping him from good to bad though, they did that too much. It's like they wanted him evil, but they also wanted him to be redemptive...which did nothing but make some of his motives confusing.

Oh well, truth be told, I miss him less than I thought I would. I am really digging Tess' character.

 

[kal_el_526]

They could have kept him if they really wanted. They could a upped his pay which was well deserved and he could a wore a wig in another movie if he even got the part, he's not in Smallville and he left for no reason hes not doing anything at least Kreuk has a movie coming out probably more to come. Him? No, he should have just stuck with Smallville would have been making money still an doing something he supposedly liked and tons of other people did. So his absence is pointless, the way I see it, if he's not offered a part or don't do something soon he'll be shaving his head an begging to get back in .

 

[Migu-EL]

I miss Lex but at the same time I agree that his story was wrapped up and it was time to move on. He's given us fans seven great seasons as Lex. In a way it was a good thing he left because it forced the producers to freshen up the show and give Clark other antagonists to go up against.

 

[Serene]

Precautionary spoiler spaces.

Spoiler

Not to give anyone false hope, buuuut....

There was this little blip posted on the blog of a this guy who is associated with the show - even as Michael's stand-in on occasion.


In other related news...its starting to sound more and more like Lex WILL be making a return to Smallville soon...I'll just leave you with that teaser until I know more.

Here's the link to his blog - the MR blip is at the end of his last entry.
http://morrischapdelaine.com/

Certainly it's nothing definite, but hey... it makes me hopeful. I REALLY want to see Lex back for the series finale, in some capacity.

 

[Webhead2006]

That was talked about here and ksite i believe a week or so ago. Who knows how true it is at all. I do really hope michael would be willing to return for 1-2 episodes this year more so if its confirmed by midseason to be the end. I would think he would return for the fans if the show was ending and as for the shaving head thing, they could try bald cap, or even write it in maybe after the events of the fos falling his hair grew back/is wearing a wig for disgues.

 

[RakuMon]

Hey, I can't find the "Official" Rosey thread.

Anyway, it looks like Lex is doing porn! (not really)

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/38664

Quint: Speaking of, who were harder to handle while filming? The regular actors or the porn actresses?
James Gunn: Rosenbaum. Because he keeps goofing around while I'm trying to get my shots. It's one of the drawbacks of working with your friends. Everyone else was a dream. The adult stars were in some ways more fun because they were all having such a great time -- acting of this sort was a completely different experience for them.

And apparently, his head's still shaved?

Hat trick!

 

[triplet]

Hey, I can't find the "Official" Rosey thread.

Anyway, it looks like Lex is doing porn! (not really)

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/38664



And apparently, his head's still shaved?

He filmed that months ago, he had a full head of hair back in August for Dragon*Con and last month for Collectormania...

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

that show sounds hilarious. It's called "PG Porn" and it's basically sketch comedy where the sketches are setup like porn plotlines but they dont result in sex i.e. the cable guy comes to fix the hot ladies cable and he actually just fixes the cable, etc.

EDIT: It actually debuts tonight on Spike TV. (Now I just need to figure out where the hell Spike TV is on my cable??) Apparently Nathan Filion is also in the cast along with some real porn actresses.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ifb7c0deaad627f7cc9b6f74f520c662b

 

[Mikelus]

I saw him at Dragon*Con this summer and it was clear that he's not coming back and that it was mostly due to shaving his head, but he had also said that he thought that Lex's story didn't really have anywhere else to go and he's right.

Why would he come back? To have Lex become evil? He was, so what would have they done? Have him be redeemed like at the beginning of last season (the whole thing with thinking that Kara was his savior)?

It's crazy the way they had Lex going back and forth between good and bad the last few years.

Shaving his head wasn't his favorite thing to do, but he was right: Lex really had no where else to go without undoing what had already had happened.

That's right, plus in an interview he said he was happy with Lex's last scene. Sometimes fans have to learn to let go and respect actors' choices.

Michael: And an actor! Well, at least I play one on TV. No, but I mean, it was a great run, and I'll miss them all, and the producers they always think, "Well, he'll do a couple" and I go, "No!" You realize, if I do a couple, it means I shave my head and I won't have hair for three more months, so if I do a couple, I might as well do them all.

Neal: Well there it is, that's the last, so basically you're not going to come back and do, like, a final harrah or anything like that?

Michael: Nah, this was it. This was it. It was a good, good ending.

http://www.supermanhomepage.com/tv/tv.php?topic=interviews/rosenbaum2

 

[triplet]

That's right, plus in an interview he said he was happy with Lex's last scene.

Yeah, he actually said that he wasn't really acting in it either...

At Dragon*Con he said that it was the last scene he filmed and it was a very emotional scene.

He actually ad libbed the bit about loving Clark like a brother... that was really Michael talking about Tom.

*sniff*

So sweet...

Sometimes fans have to learn to let go and respect actors' choices.

Yep. Exactly.

Maybe the fans were satisfied where they left Lex, but Michael is and he probably isn't coming back....

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

well as they say in Hollywood...things change

 

[triplet]

well as they say in Hollywood...things change

LOL!



Well, you never know... maybe they'll bring him back and have Lex wear a "wig"....

He spent a lot of time in the comics and the movies wearing wigs, so they could make it be big and curly and reeaheally red. It's how he's been going incognito since he destroyed the fortress....

 

[b24]

i know many people didn't like FOS collapsing send off for lex

but i do like one scene where he says to clark " i love u like brother clark but it has to end this way"

that scene indicated to me that Lex in future will walk on same moral gorund like he did in Smallville

to him he will be doing right thing to the world but he will consider clark an Alien threat who must be terminated

also in future when lex meets clark lex will have some brotherly love for clark HOWEVER he knows clark is an enemy and he has to kill clark no matter what this will make superman vs lex rivalry more personal than any other rivalry because of their history in SV

which will also make sense why clark deosn't kill lex in future and even will stop someone like oliver or batman killing lex because clark deep down inside will consider lex and older brother like freind he once had

many people wanted him to be go all gimcly evil like gene hackman type in superman movies but i prefer this lex who is more like Grey caharcter which makes him more unpredictable and more dangerous not to mentions he seems like trained in good hand to hand combat (he gave oliver good fight in siren)

i hope in next superman reboot movies if there is lex i sincerely hope they inspiration from SV version of lex not gene hackman's version i m not sure if MR would like to play lex in next superman movie BUT IMO WB atleast should consider MR for lex's role

 

[b24]

also there is new ausillo update and he mntiones we MAY hear MR on SV

does that mean we may not actually see lex but may hear his voice on phone talking to tess or something like that

if they can't have MR on show atleast have his voice appear on the show giving order to tess

 

[Mikelus]

well as they say in Hollywood...things change

They heard you!

Question: My Wednesday morning routine has long consisted of settling down at my desk with a cup of tea and bowl of cereal and reading Ask Ausiello with much gleeful anticipation. Since you destroyed that dream yesterday, I demand Smallville scoop as recompense. -- Meredith

Ausiello: Hey, I had a damn good excuse for postponing AA. I can't for the life of me remember what it was, but I know for a fact it was good. I think. Anyway, here's that Smallville scoop you demanded: Although there are no firm plans for Michael Rosenbaum to return as Lex this season, if producers have their way, you'll likely be hearing him long before seeing him.

Some of us speculated with this possibility, Michael doing some voice acting so he doesn't have to appear on screen, plus it adds some mystery to his story. I would say that a cameo in the series finale is very likely, a nice elegant hat and some make-up should do the trick to avoid shaving.

 

[triplet]

Thanks, I *was* trying to avoid spoilers...

*rolleyes*

Although, them doing something like that wouldn't surprise me.

Shots of just his face from the nose down talking on the phone to Mercy?

Past footage taken from behind somehow merged into recent film?

Michael might agree if only to not have to shave his head.

 

[b24]

^^^ i still think lex is behind whole tess thing in the of the season it will be revelade that he is big player everything clarks goes against

i m glad they are not dropping down lex's story this seseaon with tess they are keeping up with's lex story

here's theory what IF the lex we saw in Artic where he meets clark was a CLONE of lex

and real lex is still out there and he knows clark's secret somehow it will be nice twist if they reveal that he knows clark's secret long before Arctic but he sends his clone in FOS so he can haveback up plan or something like that

consdering SV's fascination with clones i won't be surprised if the go with taht route

 

[Webhead2006]

yea i was saying for months when we learned michael was leaving that him doing audio recordings and getting it sent up to canada was likely the only way we will likely have from him returning to the show. But who knows what he will be doing come time for filming the last few episodes if he still hasnt got any more film work and all that. As for the whole shaving head thing i said this before maybe they could try bald cap or just write it in that his hair either grew back or he is wearing a wig to remain hidden......

 

[Mikelus]

It was the real Lex, the way he talked to Clark was very emotional, a clone doesn't make any sense at all, he wanted to confront Clark with the truth after years of looking for it.

 

[Mandrill]

He filmed that months ago, he had a full head of hair back in August for Dragon*Con and last month for Collectormania...

Yup I got a photo with him at Collectormania and he had a full head of hair.Nice guy he said my Star Wars T shirt was bad ass

 

[christhn]

I just wanna see how they tie up this series. I didn't think they could do it without Rosenbaum, but let's see what they have up their sleeve. Lois and Jimmy know what Clark looks like without his glasses too, so there's still a lot of loose ends to be tied up here.