SMALLVILLE Co-Creator Reveals SHAZAM! Star Zachary Levi's Unfortunate Audition For Lex Luthor

SMALLVILLE Co-Creator Reveals SHAZAM! Star Zachary Levi's Unfortunate Audition For Lex Luthor

Before Zachary Levi became Shazam, he auditioned to play Lex Luthor in Smallville. Now, the show's co-creator has spoken about the actor's unfortunate audition for the role.

By DanielKlissmman - Oct 15, 2021 04:10 PM EST
Filed Under: Smallville
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Zachary Levi is known for playing Shazam in the DCEU, and with Shazam! Fury of the Gods on the horizon, he's poised to continue being an important part of the franchise. However, before he put on the character's signature red suit, Levi was in line to play another prominent DC role: Lex Luthor in Smallville.

It may sound surprising, but before Michael Rosenbaum was cast, Levi auditioned for the part of Superman's nemesis, and actually came quite close to landing the part. However, the audition did not go well. 

The Hollywood Reporter recently did a Smallville profile for the show's 20th anniversary, in which the series' creators — Miles Millar and Alfred Gough — and stars shared anecdotes about the beloved show. While discussing the casting of Luthor, Millar revealed that Zachary Levi tried out for the villain, and actually did quite well. So well, in fact, that he went in to audition for The WB. Unfortunately, things went wrong in that last meeting: 

"Zach Levi did an amazing audition for Lex. Incredible. We all went into The WB with Zach to be Lex. That audition was kind of a disaster. In leaving the audition, I remember thinking 'Oh, that was the biggest chance of his life.' And then he went on to incredible success. So you just never know."

Millar didn't specify what happened during the meeting. Funnily enough, back in 2018, Levi himself spoke about the audition with Michael Rosenbaum for the actor's Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum podcast:

"[Smallville], I don't know if I’ve ever told you this. I tested for Lex Luthor and really thought I was gonna get that job. [Smallville-pilot director] David Nutter [...], I had some work sessions with [him]."

After Rosenbaum told him that he would have been a great pick for the role, Levi disagreed:

"I don’t know about that. I think you [Michael Rosenbaum] were fantastic on the show, and it wasn’t my path."

It's unfortunate to hear that the actor had a bad experience while auditioning for Lex Luthor, but things worked out for him, as he has been part of several prominent projects throughout the years such as Chuck, the Tangled franchise and, of course, Shazam!.

Zachary Levi will return to the DCEU in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which flies into theaters on June 2, 2023.

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Origame
Origame - 10/15/2021, 4:05 PM
Really can't see him as lex. Especially in comparison to Rosenbaum who's still like the definitive lex.
dracula
dracula - 10/15/2021, 4:09 PM
It was for the best

He has shazam

Rosenbaum is the best live action lex
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 10/15/2021, 4:11 PM
It's weird. After watching Jeff Bridges play Obadiah Stane I couldn't help but think, Damn he would make a great Lex.

ElricReturns
ElricReturns - 10/15/2021, 4:28 PM
@DarthOmega - idk... if anything I'd want him to be the Lex from the 90s with luscious long red hair and a well groomed beard.
dracula
dracula - 10/15/2021, 4:11 PM
Far from perfect show but gave us the best kents and lex

Maybe also lois not 100% sure
GhostDog
GhostDog - 10/15/2021, 4:14 PM
@dracula - I would say, the best Lois by far

GhostDog
GhostDog - 10/15/2021, 4:12 PM
Idk if I would’ve ever been able to take him seriously Lex. That might not be fair since Rosenbaum was primarily a comedic actor prior to the role (and after mostly) but the dude brought such gravitas and swag. He never overdid it. Everything was understated but had weight.

You watched him and thought “yea this guy is a rich heir with daddy issues”
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 10/15/2021, 4:13 PM
Dude killed it in Ragnarok.
dracula
dracula - 10/15/2021, 4:17 PM
@TheWalkingCuban - the emotional core of the movie
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 10/15/2021, 4:35 PM
@dracula -
Origame
Origame - 10/15/2021, 5:26 PM
@TheWalkingCuban - I see what you did there.
dracula
dracula - 10/15/2021, 4:15 PM
Rither way smallville lex still would have ended up in red and lightning

MV081199
MV081199 - 10/15/2021, 4:34 PM
I'm glad that he wasn't Lex, otherwise we wouldn't had this treasure:

ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 10/15/2021, 4:51 PM
I like Levi as an actor, but I'm not sure how well he could pull off a menacing Lex. He comes across as more of an underdog you wanna root for from the roles I've seen him in.
Reeds2Much
Reeds2Much - 10/15/2021, 5:26 PM
So there's a timeline where Zach Levi was Lex on Smallville and Michael Rosenbaum was Captain Shazam.
Steel86
Steel86 - 10/15/2021, 5:29 PM
Smallville was not only about Clark becoming Superman but rich spoiled Lex becoming a villain. Lionel Luthor was a such a great creation for Lex as a direct adversary and mirror for what he would become. Alot of comment are saying they can't picture Zack in the role but we have to remember both guys were unknown at the time. I think Zack would have been great for early years Lex when he was fighting who he would become. And eventhough he would have been fine as Lex became worse and worse Michael has a natural swagger that Zack doesn't and that would have been the difference between a good Lex and an all time great Lex.
BobGarlen
BobGarlen - 10/15/2021, 6:02 PM
He would have been a great Clark
RubyRhod
RubyRhod - 10/15/2021, 7:32 PM
The show went down after Rosebaum left
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