Michael Rosenbaum, famed for portraying Lex Luthor on the Smallville TV series, makes a concealed cameo in the newly released Superman movie directed by James Gunn. The film, now playing exclusively in theaters, includes several nods to the Superman legacy, incorporating Rosenbaum’s unexpected return as one of Lex Luthor’s Raptor guards in LuthorCorp’s service.
This James Gunn Superman secret cameo enriches the movie’s narrative, linking past DC Universe portrayals with the current cinematic storyline, highlighting Rosenbaum’s enduring connection to the Superman family.
Details of Rosenbaum’s Cameo and Role in the Film
Rosenbaum’s brief but notable role appears during a tense sequence where Luthor’s girlfriend, Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio), leaks information to Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), a reporter at The Daily Planet. This leads Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) alongside Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) to rescue Superman from a secret black site prison within Luthor’s pocket universe.
In this scene, Rosenbaum’s character, a Raptor guard, critiques Eve’s actions with the line,
Sending sexy selfies behind the back of Lex Luthor? She has to be the biggest idiot in the world.
—Michael Rosenbaum, Actor
Before the film’s release, Rosenbaum spoke about his participation, revealing,
James asked me to do something fun, so I have a couple of lines that I voice,
emphasizing his close friendship with James Gunn and admiration for his dedication to the character and story.
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.
—Michael Rosenbaum, Actor
Rosenbaum and Gunn’s Collaborative History in DC and Marvel Universes
The collaboration between Rosenbaum and Gunn is not new. Rosenbaum previously portrayed Martinex in Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Volumes 2 and 3 and appeared in the director’s project PG Porn. Beyond acting in Smallville as Lex Luthor from 2001 to 2008, Rosenbaum has contributed voices to several DC Comics characters, including Wally West Flash in Justice League, Kid Flash in Teen Titans, Deadman in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Trapper in Static Shock.
Nicholas Hoult’s Perspective on Following Lex Luthor Portrayals
Nicholas Hoult, who now plays Lex Luthor in the current Superman film, expressed the weight of taking on a role with such iconic predecessors, including the legendary Gene Hackman. Hoult shared to ComicBook,
“the first Lex that I was more aware of”
was Rosenbaum’s portrayal in Smallville.
Discussing the balance in portraying Luthor, Hoult explained,
People have strong opinions and ideas of how it should be. You want to take the script, first of all, and do that justice, and serve the story. And then just be honest and truthful to that, and what your opinion of it is,
highlighting the importance of sincerity in adapting the character. He added,
I think that’s the brilliant thing [about] having James as the writer and director of this: he really understands storytelling first and foremost, but also the characters in this world, and what they all represent.
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
Hoult also noted the influence of previous Lex Luthor portrayals as he prepared for the role:
He wrote scenes that instantly felt very honest and believable to me, so it was then about just committing to those ideas that were on the page, and yeah, going back and watching Gene, and watching Michael,
underscoring the significance of legacy performances in shaping his approach.
The Film’s Tribute to the Superman Family Legacy
James Gunn’s Superman incorporates several elements that honor the broader Superman universe. The film begins with a hologram message from Kal-El’s Kryptonian parents, Jor-El and Lara, voiced by Bradley Cooper and Angela Sarafyan, respectively. It is also framed by the unexpected inclusion of Kal-El’s punk rock cousin Kara Zor-El, portrayed by Milly Alcock, who is known for her role as Supergirl.
These touches, along with Rosenbaum’s cameo, deepen the connection to the Superman family, creating a rich tapestry that links the film’s present narrative with familiar characters from different adaptations and the DC Comics world.
The Importance of Rosenbaum’s Cameo and What Lies Ahead
Michael Rosenbaum’s surprise return as a Raptor guard, albeit brief, resonates with longtime DC fans familiar with his iconic Lex Luthor from Smallville. This cameo represents more than just nostalgia; it signals James Gunn’s commitment to preserving and celebrating the depths of the Superman mythos while introducing fresh takes.
The film’s release exclusively in theaters marks a pivotal moment for DC Studios as it embarks on a new chapter in its cinematic universe. With Rosenbaum’s involvement and Gunn’s creative vision, audiences can anticipate further thoughtful integrations of past and present characters, enriching the ongoing story of Superman and his extended family.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. In 2018, Marvel let go of James Gunn after old tweets with offensive jokes about serious topics like pedophilia, rape, and abuse came to light. Public outrage followed. That July, the situation significantly changed for the director.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. The redesigned, CGI version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation was inspired by Ozu. Gunn, who grew up in a Catholic household, has shared that prayer is still significant in his life. However, he has also expressed being “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up in a Catholic family in Manchester, Missouri, near St. Louis. He has five siblings: Sean, Matt, Brian, Patrick, and Beth. Sean is an actor, Matt is both an actor and a political writer, and Brian is a screenwriter. Their family has Irish roots, with their father descended from Irish immigrants.
