A surprising Marvel Cinematic Universe actor was initially offered the Lex Luthor role on Smallville before turning it down, leading to Michael Rosenbaum getting it. One of the superhero properties that came to pave the way for the modern comic book TV genre was Smallville, which became the ultimate Superman origin story. But as much as it focused on Clark Kent, it also explored how Lex became the Man of Steel’s greatest enemy. Rosenbaum went on to get tapped as Lex and starred as the popular DC villain for seven seasons.
However, it appears an MCU star almost landed the Smallville role instead of Rosenbaum. On the recent episode of Talk Ville Podcast, Anson Mount, who plays Black Bolt, revealed that he had actually been offered the part of Lex as he and Rosenbaum reflected upon their history together. While the Star Trek star didn’t recall why he turned it down, Mount explained that he was ready to shave his head had he played Lex on Smallville. Mount also shared the funny exchange he and Rosenbaum had when he found out his friend had gotten cast, stating the following:
Pretty, pretty close. Yeah [when asked if he tested for the role] – Michael, don’t you remember this? [laughs] Back when you got the role, you were telling me, ‘I’m doing this Superman thing; I’m playing Lex Luthor.’ We were on the phone or something.’ [I said] ‘Oh my god, they offered that to me!’ It just came out; I wasn’t thinking. It was the most stupidest, most insensitive thing to say that I have ever said. I honestly can’t recall [when asked why he turned it down]. My representatives really didn’t want me to shave my head, but that didn’t really bother me. I honestly can not remember why.
Why Anson Mount Turned Down Smallville But Still Appeared Anyway
Even though Mount didn’t get cast as Lex, the actor actually did go on to appear in one of the earlier seasons of Smallville. In Smallville season 2, episode 19, titled “Precipice,” Mount guest-starred as the character Paul Hayden, who was essentially the villain of the week as part of Lex’s story. Paul was introduced as the ex-boyfriend of Helen Bryce, who was together with Lex at the time.
Obsessed with getting Helen back, he tried to get in between the two of them, warning her that she shouldn’t be with Lex. Paul attempted to kill Helen when he didn’t get what he wanted but was ultimately stopped by Lex in the end. Despite not landing the role of Lex, it didn’t stop Mount’s career as he went on to star in major shows like Hell on Wheels and several of Paramount+’s Star Trek shows as Captain Pike, including being the lead for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
It would have been interesting to see what Mount would have brought to the table as Lex, especially as this character had such a crucial role to play throughout Smallville’s run. But in the end, had he accepted the offer, the world would never have gotten to see Rosenbaum as Lex, whose portrayal became one of the best-received portrayals of the Superman foe. Hopefully, after sitting out on Smallville, Mount will get a chance to play Black Bolt again in the MCU or perhaps land a role in James Gunn’s DC Universe, as his talent would be a huge addition.
Source: Talk Ville Podcast/YouTube
