The Official Michael Rosenbaum Thread

[avidreader]

I was trying to post the Lex Luthor Card (from the smallville dvd website .)

Maybe you could just post the link.

 

[The Caped Knight]

I like that finally Rosenbaum is now in second place in the opening credits . It should've been that way from since the beginning of the series . Because he's the core of this show and what keeps it together with every Outstanding preformance he has giving over the past 6 years as Lex Luthor. Much more than Welling as Clark .

 

[LadyVader]

Here here. I wish he could move to bigger better things after the show is over cause Lord knows he deserves it.

 

[TWistim]

I like that finally Rosenbaum is now in second place in the opening credits . It should've been that way from since the beginning of the series . Because he's the core of this show and what keeps it together with every Outstanding preformance he has giving over the past 6 years as Lex Luthor. Much more than Welling as Clark .

Hey, I like Micheal and think he's done a fantastic job portraying Lex Luthor (my favorite) but no way is he the core of this show.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Hey, I like Micheal and think he's done a fantastic job portraying Lex Luthor (my favorite) but no way is he the core of this show.

That's because your a Welling fan t: j/k

IMO even thought this series is called SMALLVILLE, and it tells their own Backstory on Clark Kent's life before becoming SUPERMAN . Out of all The releated Superman characters (Pre-Lois Lane's Arrival) . Lex Luthor is the only one that had a soild story arc from since the very Beginning that just keeps moving him closer towards The Man he's Destined to become in Metropolis as well as Superman number 1 Arch-Nemesis .

This series strongest points are The Clark Kent & Lex Luthor relationship, The Father & son realtionship between Lionel & Lex and of course The Journey of Lex Luthor to The Dark Side .

Clark spent 6 years running from his Destiny, While Lex Spent 6 years Embracing his Destiny .

 

[avidreader]

Clark spent 6 years runing from his Destiny, While Lex Spent 6 years Embracing his Destiny .

I think I'd have to argue that. Lex has been fighting his destiny for almost 6 years as well, but he eventually gave into it because the rewards that were offered to him were more appealing than the struggles of fighting it. He used the power that he possesses to achieve all of this.

Clark on the other hand has struggled to be who he wants to be despite what others have in mind for him, by not surrendering his morals and beliefs and taking advantage of the power that he possesses.

 

[AgentPat]

I'd argue Lex *never* embraces his "destiny." He doesn't realize what he's doing is wrong. He feels everything he does is for a greater good. In that way, he will never acknowledge his true destiny, only what he THINKS is his destiny. The two aren't the same.

Clark on the other hand has been building towards his destiny all along. His destiny is exactly what he makes it to be, and it is in fact what others see him as, now and in the future: a savior and protector.

 

[The Caped Knight]

I think I'd have to argue that. Lex has been fighting his destiny for almost 6 years as well, but he eventually gave into it because the rewards that were offered to him were more appealing than the struggles of fighting it. He used the power that he possesses to achieve all of this.

Clark on the other hand has struggled to be who he wants to be despite what others have in mind for him, by not surrendering his morals and beliefs and taking advantage of the power that he possesses.

Ok prehaps I should rephase what I said . Here my new version .

Clark's spend 6 years running from his Destiny, While Lex continued down the Dark path towards the Dark side .

Everytime Clark seems to make progress forward towards his Destiny in one episode . By The next episode he's back to moving 10 steps backwards away from his Destiny .

While Lex just keeps going forward . Never Once during the past 6 years , have I seen Lex move backwards .(Not even when he was in a serious relationship with Lana. Lex was still in compleate Control . Not like lana's in control with her relationship with Clark .)

 

[avidreader]

Ok prehaps I should rephase what I said . Here my new version .

Clark's spend 6 years running from his Destiny, While Lex continued down the Dark path towards the Dark side .

Fair enough.

Everytime Clark seems to make progress forward towards his Destiny in one episode . By The next episode he's back to moving 10 steps backwards away from his Destiny .

Clark's not running away from being a hero, which is what I think you mean by destiny.

What he does struggle with is how to put all of his sides together. In the future, he couldnt have a relationship with Lois if he only saw himself as Kal-el or Superman. He needs to human, kryptonian and hero in order to maintain the person that he's going to be.

While Lex just keeps going forward .

Well in Bizarro there was a pretty clear indication that he's going to go back for a while too. He also said to Clark in Bound (Season 4) that he struggles every day to not be the person that he know's he is. Or something to that effect, but you get my drift.

 

[Serene]

Hey, I like Micheal and think he's done a fantastic job portraying Lex Luthor (my favorite) but no way is he the core of this show.

Totally agree. I adore Michael and his Lex, but I think that he's often overrated, particularly when people compare him to Tom. Wasn't it John Glover who made the comment about how much easier it is to play the "bad guy" than the good guy, and his walk in Tom's shoes in Transference really emphasized that to him.

Lex is awesome, we're lucky to have such a wonderful actor as OUR Lex Luthor on this show, but he's not the focus of this story, he's just a really big secondary piece.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Fair enough.

That's Good enough for me .

Clark's not running away from being a hero, which is what I think you mean by destiny.

What he does struggle with is how to put all of his sides together. In the future, he couldnt have a relationship with Lois if he only saw himself as Kal-el or Superman. He needs to be both people in order to maintain the person that he's going to be.

Season 4 "Run" - "Maybe I should stop running from who I am"

Season 6 "Fallout" - "For the first time, I’m ready to stop running from who I really am, from my destiny.”

Season 7 "Bizarro" - "all the time I've spent ignoring my destiny, trying to be something I'll never be... human."

He's been Running away from since

("The pilot", When Jonathan first reveal to him the truth about his origin.)

(Then he ran even farther when he discovered the Kawatche Caves & learned about the drawings,The prophesies forshadowing his future in "Skinwalker".)

(He really shifted into Turbo after Dr. Swann opened him up a little bit of his Kryptonian Heritage & he saw the message left by his father Jor-EL in his ship In "Rosetta".)

(He pushed himself into overdrive in "Calling" & In "Exodus" He actually leaves and sends himself into "Exile")

(He continues to Run in "Legacy", So Jor-EL Decides to take matter into his own hands and get his son himself in "Covenant")

(While re-programed as a True Kryptonian , Kal-EL actually obey's his Father and begins a Quest "Crusade", When Clark returns to his normal self he begins to question his father Jonathan that maybe he should just stop "Running" and accept his fate "Run" . The Crystal Quest was only important to him when he was traped in Lionel's body due to the water crystal in "Transference". The Events in "Spell" again cause Clark to get back on track focused on finding the third crystal before in fell into the wrong hands . Because Clark didn't listen to Jor-EL's warning in "Scared" a second Meteor Shower happends bringing Big Trouble with it in "Commencement")

(You'd Think the events of "Arrival" would be more than enough of a wake up call for Clark to get serious about his Destiny . Nope and because of his disobedence , he was transformed into a normal human being in "Mortal" . Then got shot, Died , And was resurrected in "Hidden". Again you'd think after Brainiac tried to manipulate Clark into not only Destorying The Fortress Of Solitude, but to become the vessel of General Zod and destory Earth. He'd get his priorities straight in "Solitude" nah . The Day Of "Reckoning" happend, his earthly Father Jonathan Kent died . But it still wasn't enough of a reason for Clark to accept his Destiny . Good Grief Even When Jonathan told him What his Destiny was in "Void", He still didn't get with The program . And because of that in "Oracle" & "Vessel" General Zod escaped The Phantom zone and inhabits the body of Lex Luthor, And Clark's banished to The Phantom Zone .)

(I'll admit just like The Martian Manhunter did. When Clark escaped The Phantom Zone in "Zod" And saw he had released a lot . He made it his presonal Mission to either send them back or kill them "Wither", "fallout" , "Static" , "Labyrinth", "Combat" & "Phantom" . For The first time Clark actually took some serious intrest in his Destiny and showed great maturity . Also thanks to Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, He opened Clark's eyes up to the fact with his amazing powers he could actually make a huge difference in the world, if he'd get up off his ass . "Arrow", "Reunion", "Rage", & "Justice" I just wish it lasted longer .)

Hopefully Season 7 he will .

(He off to a good start so far in "Bizarro" )

Well in Bizarro there was a pretty clear indication that he's going to go back for a while too.

His Obsession with Kara Kent will bring him back full circle (Back to the old days when Clark & Lex were Best Friends, but at the same time was researching him) Which is what he'll probably do the same with Kara .

 

[TWistim]

That's because your a Welling fan t: j/k

You noticed.

You make some really great points. And I agree that Clark has been running from his destiny (a necessary plot device to keep the series running) but so has Lex. But that's the thing about destiny - You really can't run from it forever. I think season 6 was a turning point for Clark and Lex; season 7 could be the culmination. I can't wait to see Clark fully accept his destiny as Superman!!! "Bizarro" IMO certainly foreshadowed good things to come. Hallefreakinlujah!

(I can't wait to see Tom accept his destiny either!)

 

[ariellem]

You make some really great points. And I agree that Clark has been running from his destiny ... but so has Lex. But that's the thing about destiny - You really can't run from it forever.

Yes, thanks for collecting the destiny quotes.

Interesting thing about Clark's "destiny": it's fluid. At first, he thought it was to rule Earth (his misunderstanding and why he ran in the first place). He thought he was alone. He didn't, and doesn't, want to leave his family and friends and humanity behind. Eventually - and very recently - Jor-El admitted to Martha, "His destiny is now his own." This was touched upon in other scenes too. His new destiny - as he has rewritten it - is to save Earth and its inhabitants without losing his close connection with humans. At the same time, he is no longer insisting on working alone - he has started teaming up with various others to fight for what he stands for everywhere.

As for Lex - his original destiny was to be trained by his father to be a ruthless capitalist and to inherit Luthorcorp etc. someday WAY down the line. He was afraid and just wanted a "normal" relationship with his dad and a happy life with his parents. We know what happened to Lil(l?)ian and Julian. Then the first meteor shower really put Lex and Lionel's relationship on ice. Lex too has tried to reshape his destiny; he first wanted to show up his dad, and now wants to show up his dad, Clark, and anyone else who doesn't see things the way he does. He wants to be President; he wants to control it all. His ultimate destiny as we, the viewers/fans know it, is to be as evil and ruthless and greedy as Clark is good, selfless, and generous. So you could say for Lex as well as for Clark that "his destiny is now his own."

Both took what their fathers saw and wanted for them and changed that destiny to better suit their core values and desires.

 

[The Caped Knight]

^ Speaking about Father's Two points I'll like to make .

1. i Think Lionel's time is up this season, Lex is going to kill him

2. The many points you made about The Fathers (Jor-EL, Jonathan Kent & Lionel Luthor) trying to decide the Destines of their kids . You Could add General Sam Lane too. (since he tried to decide a course of his two Daughters) Lucy & Lois . Lucy to be the Grade A+ Student , to find a good job etc.... & Lois to be his solider . However "Fate" has other plans . As we all Know Lois Lane Destiny is far greater than Sam knows and finally she's coming full circle into The Woman , she destined to become . (And a lot of this has to do with Jonathan & Martha ,Which is a nice twisted smallville's made .)



I like how the writter have made Lois, Clark, & Lex's journey much more intwine than they realize . Just like their Destinies .

 

[The Joker_1000]

Rosenbaum is definitely the best Lex Luthor in all of the media.

 

[ariellem]

^ Speaking about Father's Two points I'll like to make .

1. i Think Lionel's time is up this season, Lex is going to kill him

2. The many points you made about The Fathers (Jor-EL, Jonathan Kent & Lionel Luthor) trying to decide the Destines of their kids . You Could add General Sam Lane too. (since he tried to decide a course of his two Daughters) Lucy & Lois . Lucy to be the Grade A+ Student , to find a good job etc.... & Lois to be his solider . However "Fate" has other plans . A as we all Know Lois Lane Destiny is far greater than Sam knows and finally she coming full circle into The Woman , she destined to become .

Agree about Lionel, though I'd hate to lose him. I hope he goes out protecting Martha (or Martha AND Clark) so Martha doesn't have to feel guilty about having a thing for him.

I like how the writter have made Lois, Clark, & Lex's journey much more intwine than they realize . Just like their Destinies .

Good addition - hadn't thought about Lois & Lucy. They certainly have gotten out from under Daddy.

Back to Clark - he has stuck pretty well with Jonathan's overall hopes for him (to help people) but we know he'll be "keeping his secret" in the future in a very different way than Jonathan had hoped or expected. We need some Jonathan guest spots (flashbacks, dreams, whatever).

Lana - AFAIK, she is free of parental destinies. Please remind me if I've overlooked one.

Chloe - no specific destiny insisted on by a parent AFAIK, though her mother did/does want her to be independent and did/does admire her "cub reporter" status.

Pete - well, we need Pete to come back and visit. Let us know how his folks are doing & whether he's still with his mom or out on his own. Fun way to do this: have Bart run into him wherever he's living; Clark gets mentioned somehow; Bart brings Pete to the barn for a visit.

Jimmy - has he even talked about his parents? I have a vague memory of some comment about his dad, maybe, but that's all.

Back to Lex - big question is how he'll kill Lionel: accidentally, accidentally-on-purpose (ie. Lex was attacking someone but didn't necessarily mean to kill his dad), or flat-out premeditated.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Well would you look at this (The pic at the bottom of Lex Luthor in the business suit looks almost if not excatly like Michael Rosenbaum.) And look here Lionel Luthor is now the official name of Lex Luthor's father in the comics . Nice going Smallville t:

 

[ariellem]

Nice that they used "Lionel" - but why is Mom "Letitia" instead of "Lil(l?)ian" if they're trying to use SV continuity?

 

[The Caped Knight]

Nice that they used "Lionel" - but why is Mom "Letitia" instead of "Lil(l?)ian" if they're trying to use SV continuity?

I don't know ? To be honest I prefer the name Lillian Luthor over Letitia Luthor .

 

[ariellem]

I prefer "Lillian" by a lot as well. Maybe she's more of a socialite and less of a worried mom in the current comics.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Prehaps, All I know is not much is actually ever known about Lex mother in the comics . Only that Lex killed his parents to get their money and start building up his Empire LexCorp in Metropolis .

 

[avidreader]

You noticed.

You make some really great points. And I agree that Clark has been running from his destiny (a necessary plot device to keep the series running) but so has Lex. But that's the thing about destiny - You really can't run from it forever. I think season 6 was a turning point for Clark and Lex; season 7 could be the culmination. I can't wait to see Clark fully accept his destiny as Superman!!! "Bizarro" IMO certainly foreshadowed good things to come. Hallefreakinlujah!

(I can't wait to see Tom accept his destiny either!)

Yes, thanks for collecting the destiny quotes.

Interesting thing about Clark's "destiny": it's fluid. At first, he thought it was to rule Earth (his misunderstanding and why he ran in the first place). He thought he was alone. He didn't, and doesn't, want to leave his family and friends and humanity behind. Eventually - and very recently - Jor-El admitted to Martha, "His destiny is now his own." This was touched upon in other scenes too. His new destiny - as he has rewritten it - is to save Earth and its inhabitants without losing his close connection with humans. At the same time, he is no longer insisting on working alone - he has started teaming up with various others to fight for what he stands for everywhere.

As for Lex - his original destiny was to be trained by his father to be a ruthless capitalist and to inherit Luthorcorp etc. someday WAY down the line. He was afraid and just wanted a "normal" relationship with his dad and a happy life with his parents. We know what happened to Lil(l?)ian and Julian. Then the first meteor shower really put Lex and Lionel's relationship on ice. Lex too has tried to reshape his destiny; he first wanted to show up his dad, and now wants to show up his dad, Clark, and anyone else who doesn't see things the way he does. He wants to be President; he wants to control it all. His ultimate destiny as we, the viewers/fans know it, is to be as evil and ruthless and greedy as Clark is good, selfless, and generous. So you could say for Lex as well as for Clark that "his destiny is now his own."

Both took what their fathers saw and wanted for them and changed that destiny to better suit their core values and desires.

It's so great to have some fresh blood in here to point out these themes within the show.

Kal made some comments that I would have liked to answer, maybe a year ago I would have, , but I feel like I'm singing the same ol' song, so its fun to have new posters in here who see and say things differently.

 

[The Caped Knight]

JLU #38,

Look VERY carefully at the billboard.

 

[The Caped Knight]

http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Lex_Luthor

 

[PJBoy]

From Superman Home Page:

Superman fan Brett Bishop emailed the Superman Homepage to let us know that he managed to catch a quick word with Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor on "Smallville") at the Sundance Film Festival a week ago, and asked him a few questions about "Smallville" and what the situation was with the writer's strike and Season 8. Here's what Brett had to say...

So my friend Joe and I were outside the Entertainment Weekly party and we saw Michael Rosenbaum! I immediately walked up to him and asked him for a picture. He was really one of the nicest celebs I've met and he responded with a warm and excited, "Sure!". We told him we loved him and Chloe on the show. He replied with, "Ah, thanks." So I asked him some questions and I'll write it like this to make it easier:

Q: So what are you going to do with the show because of the writer's strike?

Michael: Oh, we have five episodes or so to go so...

Q: Well I heard this is your last season? Are you coming back since this season was so short or are you done?

Michael: (takes a second to think of how to word this.) Eh... We're getting close.

[His hesitation seriously made it sound like the series is coming to an end but that was my take and you can speculate what you will. Then I asked...]

Q: Will you do me a favor and tell Tom he has to wear the suit in the last episode of the series?

Michael: (laughs) I keep telling him that.

Q: And he keeps saying no?

Michael: (laughs) Yeah but we'll see.

Q: It's his obligation.

He just laughed and I thanked him for his time since he was heading into the party. He was really nice and was a great guy.