Despite carrying the role for nearly five years, Arrowverse's Lex Luthor actor Jon Cryer explains why he won't be returning for Superman & Lois season 3. The Two and a Half Men alum made his Arrowverse debut as the iconic DC villain in Supergirl season 4, initially imprisoned after several fights with Tyler Hoechlin's Superman, but eventually escapes after Supergirl and Superman foil his plans to assassinate his half-sister, Lena. Despite initially dying at the hands of his sister, Lex would be revived by the Anti-Monitor during the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" event, which would end with the world viewing him as a good guy, only for his plans to try and destroy the Fortress of Solitude and working with his mother Lillian to eventually result in his demise.As time draws near for the show's return, fans took to Twitter to discuss a recent report claiming that Lex Luthor would be coming to Superman & Lois season 3, expressing their hopes to see Arrowverse's Jon Cryer return to the part. The Supergirl actor instead revealed that he wouldn't be reprising his role as the iconic DC villain, citing both a scheduling conflict and a change in creative direction for the character. See what Cryer shared below:
How Lex Could Factor Into Superman & Lois Season 3
Though there's been no official confirmation from DC or The CW that Lex Luthor will appear in Superman & Lois season 3, the next chapter of the show does seem to be setting up the villain's appearance. Plot details for the new season point towards Hoechlin's Man of Steel facing off against the Intergang, who previously appeared in Superman & Lois season 1, though this time are being led by Bruno Mannheim, portrayed by The Walking Dead alum Chad L. Coleman. While most incarnations of the group in the comics have seen Mannheim and Darkseid as their leader, some have seen Lex take over the mantle, leading the door open for such a change in power to happen in Superman & Lois season 3 should Coleman's role be little more than a guest appearance.
Even if he doesn't appear tied to the Intergang, the general length of Superman & Lois seasons show a necessity for multiple villains, making the argument for Lex to appear in a guest appearance at the very least, if just to set up his future in the show. Luthor was previously mentioned in Superman & Lois season 1, albeit tied to an alternate reality, and given the show has featured multiversal ties to the Arrowverse, it wouldn't be too hard for Luthor to become a threat for the titular Kent family. Additionally, considering both Superman and Lois believed Irons to be related to Lex, there is precedent that he does exist in this universe, and could finally take issue with the Kryptonian's superhero acts, as was the case in the comics.
Other Actors Who Would Make Great Luthors
While Cryer may have scored widespread praise from Arrowverse fans during his run in the franchise, there are a number of other actors, both familiar with the role and who have yet to get their hands on the character, who could take up the Lex Luthor mantle for Superman & Lois season 3. Despite only a brief appearance in Titans season 4, Titus Welliver proved to be chilling as Lex in the HBO Max series, while Michael Rosenbaum continues to be a fan-favorite option a decade after Smallville came to an end. With some also fan casting everyone from Man of Steel's Christopher Meloni to Star Trek: Discovery's Jason Isaacs, only time will tell who ultimately brings Lex to life come Superman & Lois season 3's arrival in March.
Source: Jon Cryer/Twitter