.. copy-and-pasted from... https://movieweb.com/james-gunn-lex-luthor-best/

James Gunn Declares Michael Rosenbaum the Best Lex Luthor BY JEREMY DICK PUBLISHED JUN 13, 2023 James Gunn says Smallville's incarnation of Lex Luthor is the best one of them all. Smallville Star Michael Rosenbaum Turned Down Infinite Earths Crossover With Superman: Legacy in the works from writer-director James Gunn, there have been a lot of rumors and speculation about what will happen with the Guardians of the Galaxy helmer's fresh take on the Man of Steel. As of now, not much has been revealed about the film, other than that it will follow a version of Superman younger than the one played by Henry Cavill in the SnyderVerse. The movie has also been given a release date, set to premiere in theaters on July 11, 2025.According to the rumor mill, Lex Luthor will have a presence in Superman: Legacy. This was something addressed by Gunn for an interview on Michael Rosenbaum's Inside of You podcast. Gunn told Rosenbaum, who played Lex Luthor in Smallville, that he never said Lex would appear in the movie, and he wouldn't confirm nor deny if that was the case. With that said, Gunn told Michael Rosenbaum that he was the "best" Lex Luthor that there is, clearly a big fan of the actor's work on Smallville."You are the best Lex, let's admit it. We know you're the best Lex," Gunn tells Rosenbaum. "I'm not being funny, you're definitely the best Lex. Definitely."Gunn agreed that if Lex appears in Superman: Legacy, the portrayal would be as "grounded and real," and not an over-the-top depiction. With that said, it would seem that Gunn may not be so quick to publicly declare Rosenbaum as the very best Lex Luthor if he's just cast someone else to play that role. Wouldn't that also basically be saying that he's introducing an inferior Lex in his upcoming movie? Or is Rosenbaum's portrayal just the bar that's been set that Gunn hopes to match with Superman: Legacy? In any case, it remains unclear if Lex will appear in Superman: Legacy or not... which is exactly how Gunn wants things to be.