Bryan Singer actually meant it, about not stepping over Smallville's toes, this could easily take place in Smallville's future.
Lex would have lost all his money, because supes would have foiled his plans so all he's left to is this, same with the Superman TAS show, Lex was rich and had LexCorp in Justice League they finally got Lex sent to prison after that he become the more pre crisis mad scienctist.
and then there's the flashback, which look's like he's about maybe 14 so before Smallville started he was wearing glasses, after that point in the movie he realises he no longer need's glasses, but this later gives him the idea to use them in the future.
i think Smallville can easily take place a few years after the flashback in the movie.
Lex would have lost all his money, because supes would have foiled his plans so all he's left to is this, same with the Superman TAS show, Lex was rich and had LexCorp in Justice League they finally got Lex sent to prison after that he become the more pre crisis mad scienctist.
and then there's the flashback, which look's like he's about maybe 14 so before Smallville started he was wearing glasses, after that point in the movie he realises he no longer need's glasses, but this later gives him the idea to use them in the future.
i think Smallville can easily take place a few years after the flashback in the movie.