Lex Luthor Actor Addresses Possibility of Taking Up A New Role in James Gunn's DCU

It’s not brand new information that former Marvel Studios writer-director James Gunn is now occupied with revamping the DC Universe. Despite being in a new space, Gunn has openly communicated that he’s willing to bring some MCU actors with him to DC, specifically the Guardians of the Galaxy team. Michael Rosenbaum, who also worked on the GoG with Gunn, addressed the possibility of tackling a new role at the other company.

Rosenbaum is no longer a stranger to the DCU, having previously played Lex Luthor on The CW's Smallville and voicing The Flash in multiple animated adaptations. That said, the actor was recently asked during Chicago's C2E2 convention if there’s any chance that an additional DC role could be part of his growing acting resume.

“Ehh, probably not," Rosenbaum jokes. “I mean, you know, who knows? He actually told me 'I'm always thinking of you.' I never expect anything. If something happens, great. He put me as Martinex in Guardians 2 and 3, and it was fun. It wasn't much. So I'm hoping to do something bigger with him to show my chops and all that. But he knows what I can do, so hopefully, he'll make the right decision.”

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If the Martinex actor decides to go over DC’s barricade, it wouldn’t be the first time that an MCU actor transferred to DC Studios. Crossbones actor Frank Grillo has officially jumped ship from Marvel to DC, citing that the MCU only brought him disappointment in terms of handling his role.

In December 2022, Rosenbaum was asked by a fan on Twitter if he would be willing to shave his head again to return as Lex Luthor for the new DC Universe. "For James, I’d do anything," the actor replied, ending his tweet with a smiley face.

While Rosenbaum played Lex in Smallville, the character was previously portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg in DC's Extended Universe. With Henry Cavill no longer playing Superman, Eisenberg is unlikely to be invited back for Gunn's new DCU, leaving the door open for Rosenbaum's return.