Since the announcement that James Gunn was not only taking over theDC Universebut also directing aSupermanfilm, fans have speculated where his usual friends who star in each of his films will fit in. His brother, Sean Gunn, is playing businessman Maxwell Lord. Nathan Fillion is playing Guy Gardner/Green Lantern. Alan Tudyk and Michael Rooker voice robots in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. There is one member of Gunn’s circle, however, with substantial DC ties who had as-of-yet joined the franchise–that audiences knew of.
Michael Rosenbaum starred as Lex Luthor in the Superman prequelSmallvillefor seven seasons, where he became a fan favorite. Coincidentally, he’s also close friends with Gunn, having even appeared as Martinex in the latter’sGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy. Naturally, fans guess he may appear inSuperman.
In his appearance at Fan Expo Dallas whereScreenRantwas the event’s official media partner, our own Joseph Deckelmeier hosted a panel with Rosenbaum who both addressed his potential for a bigger DCU role and revealed he did do some voice work for the movie:
ScreenRant:Michael, you were the good luck charm for all things DC, fromJustice LeaguetoSmallville. I know you’re also friends with James Gunn, and I feel that DC is having a resurgence with theSupermanmovie coming out this year. Is there a role in the new DCU that you’d be interested in doing?
Michael Rosenbaum:I don’t know. James asked me to do something fun, so I have a couple of lines that I voice. It’s funny, in a way… Anyway, there was nothing in this one, but he’s the head of DC, so I think he can stick me in a movie or something. He’s thoughtful, so I hope that happens. But I think the movie’s gonna be great. It comes out on my birthday!
He’s one of my best friends, and he’s very loyal. It’s exciting. I think he’s got a great vision, and he’s putting his heart and soul into it and expressing that, because he knows how important the character is.
Rosenbaum’sSmallvillecostar, Tom Welling, also weighed in: “I will say, to your point, I’ve never seen anything that involved Michael go wrong. Everything that exists, or that is going to happen? Once [Michael] gets involved, it’s better.”
What Michael Rosenbaum’s Comments About Superman And Joining The DCU Mean
Rosenbaum previously addressedthe possibility of appearing in a DCU project. Though at that time there either were not any plans for him to appear inSuperman, orhe could not publicly disclose them, the star has always kept the door open, saying: “I’m always up for a challenge.” He then elaborated on what he was looking for in another DC role:
Whatever comes to me, I look at it, and if it’s not too silly, or if it makes me laugh, or I think I could do a really good job, or I think I can make an impression, I’ll do it. So I’m at that point in my career where I just want to do things that I love, that I want to do.
Rosenbaum also revealed that he asked Gunn: “Why am I not in Superman? Why am I not in the movie somehow?“TheSmallvilleactor’s hopes seem to have paid off based on his more recent comments.
Our Take On Michael Rosenbaum’s Comments About Superman And Joining The DCU
The big question here is: where does Rosenbaum fit intoSuperman?The most likely answer is that he, like Rooker and Tudyk, voices one of the various robots in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude.Alternatively, another prevalent fan cast puts him in the role of Lex’s father, Lionel Luthor. The actor did once address this, stating: “If that ever came to the table, I would certainly consider it.” His age gap with the DCU Lex actor, Nicholas Hoult, is only 17 years, which would make his casting as Lionel unlikely unless Rosenbaum appears in a flashback.
Nonetheless, the prospect of Rosenbaum returning to theDC Universeis exciting. Whether it’s a bit cameo or a bigger part,Smallvillefans will be excited to hear and/or see him inSuperman.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
