Marc Guggenheim addresses Michael Rosenberg and Lex Luthor at the CW event, Crisis on Infinite Earths.
In the vast universe of superhero series, few things generate as much excitement as a good crossover. And when we talked about Arrow’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” the buzz was through the roof. However, behind the scenes, untold stories and abandoned plans add a layer of mystery to this previously unseen event. One of the best-kept secrets so far is Michael Rosenbaum’s returning role as Lex Luthor of “Smallville.”
First appearance of Lex Luthor
Marc Guggenheim, the creative mind behind The Crossover, had big plans to bring Rosenberg to this unprecedented television event. The ambition was to bring together popular characters from the DC TV universe, along with guest stars that would surprise everyone. Although “Smallville’s” Tom Welling and Erica Durance are back, Rosenbaum’s absence has fans wondering “What could have been?” He made them ask.
The reason for this omission was explained by Rosenbaum in 2019, from Warner Bros. Describing an unattractive offer: no script, no transparency on paper, no specified dates and, in practice, no financial compensation. His answer was “No.”
However, Guggenheim didn’t stop to speculate what Lex Luthor’s impact on the “Crisis” narrative would be. Of particular interest was the chance to see Rosenbaum meet Jon Cryer, Supergirl’s Luthor, as Supergirl’s Luthor, an occasion that promises to be epic.
The discussion did not end there. Guggenheim also touched on other returnees such as Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain from “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.” Despite the desire, the limited budget and other restrictions made it impossible to realize these dreams.
Legacy of Crisis on Infinite Earths
Despite these deviations from the original plot, “Crisis on Infinite Earths” continues to be a season of television, creating worlds and characters in a way that only Arrow can. The Guggenheim’s openness in sharing these “discarded plans” only adds to our appreciation for the grand project, reminding us of the complexities and challenges behind creating a shared universe on the small screen.
As fans continue to speculate about the “what ifs,” this behind-the-scenes look serves as a reminder of the passion and effort that went into bringing these fantastical worlds to life. And even though some matches remain in the virtual world, the legacy of “Crisis on Infinite Earths” remains a celebration of creativity and collaboration in the superhero universe.
They returned.
Despite missed opportunities with Michael Rosenbaum and others, “Crisis on Infinite Earths” featured the triumphant return of famous characters from the DC universe, honoring the rich history of the television adaptation. Among them, the return of Tom Welling as Clark Kent and Erica Durance as Lois Lane from “Smallville” has thrilled fans by providing symbolic closure to their stories. Additionally, Kevin Conroy, best known for being the voice of Batman in the animation, finally appeared in the flesh, giving life to a future version of the Dark Knight.
Burt Ward, the eternal Robin from the 1960s Batman series, and Ezra Miller, the Flash from the DC Cinematic Universe, showed their ability to unite the different eras and versions of these heroes in the astonishing “Crisis”. These revelations not only honored DC’s legacy, but also confirmed fans’ emotional connection to these stories over the decades.