Nicholas Hoult has been cast by James Gunn as Lex Luthor in “Superman: Legacy,” completing the ensemble cast for the superhero reimagining.
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and David Corenswet as Clark Kent make up the main cast.
Gunn, the co-chief of DC Studios and the film’s writer-director chose Hoult, who had been vying for the title role, to play Luthor, the menacing industry tycoon distinguished by his bald head and unwavering fixation on vanquishing the Last Son of Krypton.
Nicholas Hoult is the new Lex Luthor
Hoult becomes the latest actor to play Lex Luthor in a series of “Superman” movies, following in the footsteps of Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and Jesse Eisenberg.
In DC Comics, Lex Luthor believes he is a hero in his own warped story and feels justified in using his superior knowledge and wealth to destroy those he believes to be extraterrestrial threats, especially Superman.
Whether revealing a state-of-the-art battlesuit or unleashing lethal nanobots, the city braces itself for the possible disaster that ensues from the arrival of this remarkable foe. Whatever one’s feelings toward him, Metropolis’s residents are always both shocked and enthralled by Lex Luthor’s actions.
As the CEO of LexCorp, a massive corporate entity focused on cutting-edge technology that purports to improve humanity while increasing Luthor’s wealth, rumors circulate about his secretive plans.
But behind his kind exterior is an egotistical need for approval and dominance, which is why Luthor is so obsessed with Superman. In an attempt to permanently break free from the Kryptonian’s hold, he hatches a plot to destabilize Metropolis’ protector.
As a businessman and inventor, Luthor dominates the city; his bald head is the only thing that can match his formidable intellect. The most recent Superman film, written and directed by Gunn, is slated for a July 11, 2025, theatrical release. It is a part of a reboot of the franchise.
James Gunn is putting the cast together
After the actors’ strike ended, Gunn got to work putting the cast together. Using social media, he declared that María Gabriela de Faría had been selected to play the Engineer, another adversary.
The superhero team that will accompany Superman is made up of Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced).
According to announcements made in January by Gunn and co-chief Peter Safran, “Superman: Legacy” is the first feature film in the DC Studios’ reimagining of the DC universe for the big screen and television.
Notwithstanding the recent walkout by actors, Gunn announced on November 11 that the film is still on schedule for its July 11, 2025, release date, largely because of the work of his production team. Recently, Hoult has been very busy working on several projects.
These include appearing as Jon in the animated film “Garfield,” providing a voice in Clint Eastwood’s upcoming legal thriller “Juror #2,” and costarring with Emma Corrin, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Bill Skarsgard in Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu.”
Nicholas Hoult in other super-hero films
From 2011 to 2019, Hoult played the role of Marvel/X-Men character Beast in a number of films. His association with Warner Bros. can be attributed to his role in the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road.
Renfield, an earlier release this year from Universal, and The Menu, a release from last year, are among his recent credits. In addition, he was nominated for an Emmy in 2022 for his noteworthy performance in Hulu’s historical drama The Great.
Among other honors, Nicholas Hoult is a nominee for a British Academy Film Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. His achievements were acknowledged in 2012 when Forbes named him one of its 30 Under 30.
