UPDATE: Our earlier report appears to have been premature.
Actor Michael Rosenbaum has confirmed that he will return for the series finale of “Smallville.”
The actor told TV Guide that he’s signed on to be part of the two-hour finale that begins shooting later this month.
“I’m delighted to return for the series finale,” Rosenbaum said in a statement. “I’m simply doing it for all of the fans out there who made Smallville the great success it is. I appreciate all of their passion, their relentlessness, and even their threats. Ha ha.”
Here’s our original story from a few hours ago:
Fans hoping to see Michael Rosenbaum don the mantle of Lex Luthor one last time in the final season of “Smallville” could be disappointed.
With only three episodes left in the production schedule, the actor’s agents tell EW that Rosenbaum has turned down offers to be part of the final episodes of the decade-long series.
“He has put the show behind him and moved on,” says a knowledgeable source. “He’s pursuing his other creative outlet [writing]. By all indications, he is not going to be involved.”
There’s still an outside chance that Rosenbaum could appear, but its probably not likely.
UPDATE: TVGuide.com is reporting that he *will* return for the finale.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Michael-Rosenbaum-Smallville-1029232.aspx
whee!
Good news. In the early days of the show Michael helped to establish Smallville as a classic Superman series.
Rosenbaum’s portrayal of Lex Luthor has been fantastic, worthy of standing alongside Hackman’s and only helped and deepened by the fact that we get to see how he devolves from a well-meaning young man into a villain. They were always going to bring back Lex at the end of the season — they’ve been laying the groundwork for a while now — but its good to hear that it’ll be Rosenbaum with the shiny head and suit.
Very nice. The show has been recovering nicely over the last couple of years from the slump it hit after Rosenbaum left, but it’s extra special to know he’ll be returning for the finale. I do enjoy when stories come full circle like that.
I commend Rosenbaum for coming back. It shows that he understands the importance of being there at the end of the show that did so much for him, and the fans would have never forgiven (maybe) if he refused to appear.
This also should provide a very nice book-end for the Clark Kent-Lex Luthor story! I hope it is a satisfying ending!
Well it’s about time! Everyone who tried to play a older or younger Lex has failed. Michael was the best lex ever! Now we find out he is back for episode #20 and thats a two hour event. This will break records for the most watched Smallville yet! Whats next for Smallville?