The wheels are in motion for James Gunn’s DC Universe, and recent reports from various sources indicate that Nicholas Hoult has been selected to portray Lex Luthor in “Superman: Legacy.” According to Deadline, Warner Bros. had delayed the casting decision until after the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike. This move appears to complete the ensemble cast of the film, with David Corenswet taking on the role of Superman, and Rachel Brosnahan stepping into the shoes of Lois Lane. Other heroes will also grace the screen, with Nathan Fillion securing the opportunity to play a live-action Green Lantern. Interestingly, Hoult’s casting reunites him with a former X-Men castmate, Edi Gathegi, who played Darwin in “X-Men: First Class” and is now set to portray Mister Terrific.
Hoult follows in the footsteps of illustrious actors who have previously portrayed Luthor, such as Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and Jesse Eisenberg. Despite the distinguished lineage, the consensus among fans seems to be that the British actor is well-suited for the role of Superman’s arch-nemesis. Hoult’s casting adds to the intriguing tradition in superhero movies, both in Marvel and DC, where actors who initially audition for heroic roles end up being cast as villains.
This phenomenon is not new, as evidenced by Tom Hiddleston auditioning for Thor and later becoming the iconic Loki. Similarly, Cillian Murphy, known for his role as Thomas Shelby, auditioned for the role of Batman in “Batman Begins” but ultimately portrayed Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow. Nicholas Hoult, now part of this entertaining tradition, was reportedly in serious talks to play Superman and even Batman before landing the role of Lex Luthor. As Luthor, Hoult now has the opportunity to leave his mark on the DC world, continuing the long-standing tradition where actors turn from superhero hopefuls to formidable villains – a pattern well-known to fans of both Marvel and DC.