Michael’s return: Harold Perrineau gets ‘Lost’ again

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Stephen McPherson, the president of ABC entertainment, faced the press this morning at the Beverly Hilton. When a reporter asked him what ‘Lost’ announcements might be made at Comic-Con later this week, he balked, saying that we would have to wait to find out.

The mood in the room turned ugly. Why were we here, reporters and critics asked, if not to break news? The question was phrased and rephrased. At one point, McPherson tried to joke about it, saying that Don Imus had been hired to appear on ‘Lost.’ No one laughed.

Finally, Hope Hartman, from ABC’s media relations department, walked out on stage and whispered in McPherson’s ear.

He then announced that Harold Perrineau, who played Michael on ‘Lost,’ would be returning to the show.

Viewers last saw Michael on the mysterious island in the finale of Season 2. Having struck a deal with the Others to get him and his son, Walt (Malcolm David Kelley), off the island, Michael rescued head Other Ben. In doing so, he shot and killed fan-favorite Libby (Cynthia Watros) and fan-not-so-favorite Ana-Lucia (Michelle Rodriguez).

His remorse over his murderous misdeeds didn’t stop Michael from leaving, with Walt, on a boat in the Season 2 closer, presumably to safety. But maybe not so safe after all?

Update: Reached by e-mail, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, the executive producers who run ‘Lost,’ had no comment. But they are likely to officially confirm Perrineau’s return as a series regular at the ‘Lost’ panel on Thursday at Comic-Con.

-- Kate Aurthur