Goodbye Lex Luthor - some spoilers

[Geekyfanboy]

Rosenbaum Makes His "Smallville" Departure

Posted by Sam on Friday, 2 May 2008 (Slice of Sci Fi)
http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2008/05/02/rosenbaum-makes-his-smallville-departure/#more-9096

We mentioned last year that Michael Rosenbaum, the actor who so wonderfully portrays the villainous Lex Luthor on the CW Network's "Smallville" series would be departing from the show at sometime in the future. Well sadly, that time has arrived.

"Smallville" Executive Producers Darren Swimmer, Todd Slavkin, Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson; The CW Network; and Warner Bros. Television have issued a joint statement regarding Michael Rosenbaum's departure from the popular show.

"It has been an honor and pleasure to work with Michael for the past seven seasons. He is one of the best actors on television and has never failed to bring a new layer to the character of Lex Luthor in every episode. While Michael won't be a series regular and we won't have the pleasure of working with him on a weekly basis this fall, we like to think that we haven't seen the last of Lex Luthor. Stay tuned."

For his part, Michael released a letter wanting to thank all his fans for their support over the years.

Dear Smallville Fans,

Well, it's been seven wonderful years. Your support is what has made Smallville so successful, and I appreciate you all more than you know.

That being said, it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life and career. I hope that I gave you some enjoyment over the years, and that you found my portrayal of Lex Luthor to be satisfying. I am truly grateful, as Smallville fans are the best fans out there. I sincerely hope that you will continue to follow my career through my hair growth period and beyond.

I'm very excited about what the future holds, but certainly, Smallville will always be a part of me. I will definitely miss the greatest crew in the world, and the wonderful cast that has been like a family to me.

Thank you Al and Miles for creating the show. Thank you writers, producers, directors and editors. Thanks Tollin, Robbins and Davola for being there for the pilot. Thank you Peter Roth for employing me for ten years. Lisa Lewis, I miss you already. John Glover, thanks for helping me feel more comfortable touching other actors, while acting. Bizarre, but helpful.

Mostly, I want to thank Greg Beeman for directing the "Oh Sherry" video, by Steve Perry, back in the 80's.

Thanks crew. Thanks fans. Thanks Smallville.

I love you all,

Michael Rosenbaum

Michael's portrayal of Lex Luthor has helped to redefine the villain who has served as Superman's main arch enemy for decades, first in comic books, then in film. The creators of "Smallville" gave a plausible backstory to the life of this famous baddie, revealing sides to the character never before seen and only an actor of Michael's caliber could have pulled it off with such finesse. He will be missed.

The CW Network has released a few details about two of the new villains our superhero will come up against this upcoming 8th season of "Smallville."

Two new villains will join the cast of characters on "Smallville" for season 8: the legendary, unstoppable Doomsday, and a female antagonist who will challenge Clark in ways never before imagined. Casting is underway for both roles.

• Doomsday: In season eight, Clark will face his ultimate challenge with the appearance of the legendary, unstoppable destroyer Doomsday, who appears on "Smallville" for the first time. As comic book fans know, Doomsday is notorious for being the only character in the DC Comics universe to have killed Superman.

• Female villain: Doomsday won't be Clark's only nemesis in the upcoming season. The executive producers are tight-lipped about a new female villain they will be introducing, but they can say she will be familiar to many fans and will set her sights on Clark in ways Lex never could. Intelligent, brilliantly manipulative, and dangerously sinister, our gorgeous new villain has one more weapon in her arsenal: Her mutual attraction with Clark may prove to be as deadly as kryptonite for him.

[Dan M]

I'm so skeptical about Doomsday being done well on Smallville.

[Rico]

I'm really going to miss Michael Rosenbaum as Lex on "Smallville."  I really liked his take on Luthor.  Next season without him & also no Lana is going to be quite different.

[Lexii Lane]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


He was the reason I watched smallville

* Lexii Lane cries!

[Trekkygeek]

Sad to see Lex going but not bothered about Lana. Although she is extremely attractive, I think she has the acting talent of a piece of wood and was the shows weak link.

[redcoyote]

 :superman So he killed his father and now he is leaving. I know Smallville is supposed to be a drama about Clark Kent growing up and dealing with his powers and no costumes but.... I think it is time for him to become Superman on the show. I am probably the only one who thinks so but Maybe the Show should become Metropolis and he become Superman imo.

[Trekkygeek]

:superman So he killed his father and now he is leaving.

Arrrgghhhhhh!!!!! Spoilers Spoilers Spoilers. MUST.......NOT.....READ...ANY.....MORE

[moyer777]

:superman So he killed his father and now he is leaving. I know Smallville is supposed to be a drama about Clark Kent growing up and dealing with his powers and no costumes but.... I think it is time for him to become Superman on the show. I am probably the only one who thinks so but Maybe the Show should become Metropolis and he become Superman imo.

I agree.  Let's see his suit, see him fly and let's get on with it!

:)

[X]

While I have been enjoying the series, it's about time they shake up the formula. This might just do that. I hope that in the end, this leads to a Justice league show with the characters that they already established.

[Trekkygeek]

I'm still hoping we will see Tom Welling in the next Superman Movie

[Rico]

I do enjoy the series but one thing that has bothered me is that Clark seems to be making no move to go to college, get a degree so he can start being a reporter for the Planet.  Plus he really needs to start wearing the glasses - at least.  Everyone in Smallville will know he is Superman soon.    :superman

[wraith1701]

I really liked this show when it first started, but it seems like the producers are extending the life of the series too long, trying to squeeze every last penny they can out of the idea regardless of how far they stray from the Superman mythos.  IMO, they need to wrap up the whole "Smallville" storyline (Clark's been in high school for what, seven years now?) and move the story along.  Maybe end the series and spin off a new one... I like the "Metropolis" idea that Redcoyote brought up. 

[X]

I really liked this show when it first started, but it seems like the producers are extending the life of the series too long, trying to squeeze every last penny they can out of the idea regardless of how far they stray from the Superman mythos.  IMO, they need to wrap up the whole "Smallville" storyline (Clark's been in high school for what, seven years now?) and move the story along.  Maybe end the series and spin off a new one... I like the "Metropolis" idea that Redcoyote brought up. 

He's been out of high school for a while now and as of the latest episode, he's twenty-one years old. I think that most people want to see him go to college to be a reporter, but with Lois and Chloe both making a go at being a reporter without the college, I think that Clark could reasonably do the same. My wife is about to get her press pass for her new job and didn't go to school to be a reporter either.

[redcoyote]

If I am not mistaken The only incarnation that Clark went to College was when John Byrne did the revamp of Superman  in the 80's, and I think they only did that to show that Clark knew Lori Lemure  (Spelling ?) a native of Atlantis attending Metropolis University.  All other incarnations that I have seen he didn't go to college. :superman

[Meds]

It's time to start seeing Clark become Superman. As with Rico he needs to start becoming 'Clark Kent' glasses and all. He can't suddenly become bumbling. Plus i think we'd all like to see the start of the superman suit coming along.