Walking Dead alum Michael Cudlitz says newest role is “one of the most collaborative experiences”

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As a fan who has followed Michael Cudlitz’s career with great enthusiasm, I must say his journey from Abraham Ford to Lex Luther is nothing short of remarkable! His ability to breathe life into complex characters like Abraham and now Lex Luther showcases his exceptional talent as an actor.

Michael Cudlitz, the talented actor-director, is deeply missed for his portrayal of Abraham Ford in AMC’s The Walking Dead. In the premiere of season 7, Abraham and Glenn (Steven Yeun) met a gruesome end at the hands of the series’ newest antagonist, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). This violent scene was criticized as excessive by many viewers, leading to a drop in viewership. However, five years later, Cudlitz found himself cast as Lex Luther in The CW’s Superman & Lois.

I’ve been deeply immersed in a remarkable creative journey these past few seasons, and I’m now wrapping up this extraordinary experience – it’s our fourth and final season. Working on this show has truly been “one of the most collaborative creative experiences” of my entire career, as actor and now director, having helmed episode 8 of the final season, titled “Sharp Dressed Man.” Directing isn’t new to me; I’ve previously taken the reins for episodes on shows like The Walking Dead and World Beyond. As a fan, I can’t wait to see how this incredible collaboration unfolds in our grand finale!

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cudlitz discussed the transformation of Luther in the eighth episode, where he took on the dual roles of acting and directing. The audience admired the revamped Luther seen in season 3, a stark contrast from the neat-and-tidy image commonly associated with the DC villain. In this particular episode, Cudlitz’s character Luther underwent a change, sporting a new appearance that was more reminiscent of the traditional depiction of the character. This was all part of his cunning scheme to bring down Superman and Lois.

It was fantastic. It seemed as if we had completed a full loop, wrapping up the season with, as you pointed out, that classic, traditional, modern-day appearance of Lex.” – Michael Cudlitz (paraphrased version)

Superman & Lois will release the final two episodes of the series on Nov. 25 and Dec. 2.

Below you can listen to Cudlitz talk about being cast as Lex Luther.

Michael Cudlitz

After leaving “The Walking Dead,” Cudlitz has kept a hectic schedule. He’s gone back to TWDU to direct 4 episodes of the primary series and two of the spinoff, “The Walking Dead: World Beyond.” More recently, he has been seen in shows like “Bosch: Legacy,” “Manifest West,” and “Red Stone.

In the year 2023, he featured in the film “Beautiful Disaster,” where Dylan Sprouse and Virginia Gardner starred. The narrative revolves around Abby (played by Gardner), who is trying to redefine herself when she encounters the rebellious Travis Maddox (Sprouse). As she persists in resisting his advances, he becomes increasingly drawn to her. However, can she maintain this trajectory while confronting her troubled past? Cudlitz assumes the role of Travis’ father, Jim. Additionally, Autumn Reeser, Libe Barer, Brian Austin Green, Austin North, Rob Estes, and Samuel Larsen are part of the cast.

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2024-11-23 16:39