In the wake of the SAG-AFTRA strike, the highly anticipated film, Superman: Legacy, has made a major casting decision. It has been reported that talks are underway for British actor Nicholas Hoult to take on the iconic role of the notorious villain, Lex Luthor. While the deal has not been finalized, discussions began prior to the strike and have continued to progress.
Warner Bros. has remained tight-lipped about these negotiations, choosing not to comment on the casting decision at this time. However, the selection of Hoult for the role of Luthor is an exciting development for fans of the Superman franchise and the DC universe as a whole.
The upcoming film, Superman: Legacy, marks the first project under the newly established DC Studios universe, helmed by writer-director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran. Earlier this year, the lead roles of Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane were granted to David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, respectively, following an exhaustive casting search.
In the lead-up to his potential portrayal of Lex Luthor, Hoult had been a contender for multiple roles in the film. Notably, he expressed interest in portraying Superman and was considered as one of the top candidates for that role as well.
Lex Luthor, a character first introduced in 1940’s Action Comics No. 23, has been portrayed by various actors in film adaptations over the years. Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey notably brought the character to life in earlier Superman films, while Jesse Eisenberg offered a modern, tech-savvy interpretation in more recent productions. With Hoult potentially stepping into this iconic role, fans are eager to see his unique take on the legendary villain.
Hoult is no stranger to the world of superheroes, having previously portrayed the character Beast in the X-Men film series from 2011 to 2019. His extensive body of work includes collaborations with Warner Bros., such as his role in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), as well as recent projects like The Menu and the Universal monster film, Renfield. Additionally, he has received critical acclaim for his performance in the Hulu period drama The Great, earning him an Emmy nomination in 2022.
Represented by UTA and manager 42, Hoult’s star continues to rise as he takes on diverse and compelling roles across various genres and platforms. His potential involvement in Superman: Legacy adds another exciting chapter to his already impressive career.
As negotiations continue and the cast of Superman: Legacy takes shape, audiences can anticipate an intriguing and dynamic portrayal of the timeless superhero tale. With the addition of Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the film is poised to deliver a fresh and captivating interpretation of the beloved DC Comics character.
