According to Deadline, Nicholas Hoult has been chosen by writer-director James Gunn to play Lex Luthor in the upcoming film Superman: Legacy. Although multiple sources close to the project have confirmed Hoult's involvement, Gunn has not officially confirmed it at this time.
Hoult will be joining David Corenswet, who will portray Superman, and Rachel Brosnahan, the Emmy-winning actress from Prime Video's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, who will play Lois Lane. Following a tradition seen in previous Superman films, the role of Lex Luthor will be portrayed by an established actor alongside a younger actor portraying Superman, similar to the casting choices of Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey in the past.
Warner Bros. reportedly planned to conduct auditions for the role of Luther following the SAG-AFTRA strike. Nicholas Hoult, who has previous experience in blockbuster and superhero films like the X-Men series and Mad Max: Fury Road, was considered for the role. Hoult has gained recognition in recent times, with an Emmy award for Best Actor in a Drama for his performance in Hulu's The Great.
In addition, this upcoming Superman movie will play a crucial role in Gunn and Peter Safran's extensive plan for the new DC Universe. The film will introduce characters like Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific, and Guy Gardner.
Superman: Legacy has been set for a worldwide release on July 11, 2025.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Superman, I am thrilled to hear the news that Nicholas Hoult is in talks to portray Lex Luthor in the upcoming film, Superman: Legacy. Hoult is a talented actor with a wide range of skills, and I believe he has the ability to bring a fresh and exciting take to the role of the iconic villain.
I am particularly interested to see how Hoult will approach the character of Lex Luthor. In the past, the character has been portrayed as a ruthless and cunning businessman, but I believe Hoult has the potential to bring a more nuanced and complex portrayal to the role. I am also excited to see how Hoult will interact with the other actors in the film, particularly David Corenswet, who has been cast as Superman.