Superman
Summary
Despite auditioning for the character of Superman , Nicholas Hoult has been cast as Lex Luthor in theDC Universefor its debut feature article plastic film , Superman : Legacy , and this cast choice is actually much well suit to the actor . AfterSuperman : Legacywas first announce by DC Studios co - CEO James Gunn in January 2023 , and previous Superman actor Henry Cavill war confirmed to not be generate in the DCEU ’s reboot , the rumor pulverisation began to whirl , suggesting many new candidates for the DCU ’s Man of Steel . Hollywood’sDavid Corenswet was cast as Supermanin June , beating Nicholas Hoult to the punch , but this was n’t the death of Hoult ’s DC Universe journeying .
In November 2023,Deadlinereported thatNicholas Hoult has been officially cast as iconic DC Comics baddie Lex Luthor , and is set to make his debut DCU appearance in2025’sSuperman : Legacy . Lex Luthor is Superman ’s archenemy in DC Comics , and has antecedently been portrayed in live - action by notable histrion include Gene Hackman , Michael Cudlitz , Michael Rosenbaum , and Jesse Eisenberg , with the latter portraying the villain in the DCEU . Even though Nicholas Hoult may have originally wanted the more larger-than-life role , Lex Luthor is expected to have a immense role in the DCU ’s future , and Hoult ’s previous experience as prominent live - action villains perhaps make this a much better cast conclusion .
DC Comics villain Lex Luthor has been limn by four doer in past feature films and franchise . Lyle Talbot portrayed Lex Luthor in 1950’sAtom Man vs. Supermanserial , before Gene Hackman take for granted the role in 1978’sSuperman : The Movie , 1980’sSuperman II , and 1987’sSuperman IV : The Quest for Peace . Kevin Spacey portray the villain in 2006’sSuperman recurrence , and Jesse Eisenberg play a new version of Lex Luthor in the DCEU in 2016’sBatman v window pane : Dawn of Justice , 2017’sJustice League , and 2021’sZack Snyder ’s Justice League .
Nicholas Hoult’s Villain History Shows He’s A Perfect Lex Luthor Casting
While Nicholas Hoult has portrayed his clean share of good guy in his professional vocation , he has displayed a specific predilection for playing complex , interesting , and often subtle villains . Arguably , this could date back to his time portraying Tony Stonem on British teen seriesSkinswhen he was only 18 - years - honest-to-god . Tony was on a regular basis see to be an antagonist to other characters , though damp as the series march on . Since then , however , Hoult has only increased his villainous repertoire , which perhaps makesHoult ’s casting as the DC Universe ’s Lex Luthormuch more inspire than his original desire to portray the heroic Clark Kent , a.k.a . Superman .
In recent years , Nicholas Hoult has received plaudits for his portrayal of Emperor Peter III of Russia in Hulu seriesThe Great , which hunt between 2020 and 2023 . Peter III was shown to be dangerous , depraved , and spiteful towards his unexampled married woman , Elle Fanning ’s Catherine the Great , and pushes his villainy to the limits even in the series ' premier sequence , which sport him abusing his unexampled married woman , and almost drowning her after she essay to make an escape . Hoult ’s operation as Peter III is magnetised , and it ’s arduous to imagine anyone else pulling off the variety of evil actions that the persona require , which reflects Lex Luthor ’s own schemes .
away fromSkinsandThe Great , Nicholas Hoult has portray scoundrel in other projects . 2015’sKill Your Friendssaw his Steven Stelfox embark on a murder fling in an attempt to scavenge his euphony career , 2021’sThose Who like Me Deadcast Hoult as Patrick , an assassin hire to vote down a untried boy , and 2023’sRenfieldsaw him present the sometimes - nefarious titular servant to Nicolas Cage ’s Dracula . Hoult get acclaim for his performance as intellectual nourishment blogger Tyler in 2022’sThe Menu , which see him return a little - scale nefarious theatrical role , which could fit into the boundaries of a more scheming and softly dark version ofLex Luthor in the DC Universe .
Why Casting Nicholas Hoult As Lex Luthor Is Great For The DCU’s Future
While Lex Luthor is best make love as one of DC Comics ' most iconic villains , and the archenemy to the cornerstone hero Superman , the character is far more superimposed than just an evil adversary . Lex Luthor has sometimes been show up to be an antihero in DC Comics , likewise to Marvel Comics ' Doctor Doom , ally himself with Superman and other heroes to battle common enemies . This means that whoever portrays Lex Luthor in live - action needs to render a sense of likability to the character , and Nicholas Hoult has proven over his wide-ranging playacting career that he can certainly bring home the bacon this grand chain of mountains of emotion and motivation .
Nicholas Hoult ’s experience as a bona fide baddie inThe majuscule , Kill Your Friends , andThose Who like Me Deadfit the brief for a in truth vicious version of Lex Luthor . However , his purpose as pernicious and quiet scoundrel in projects such asSkinsandThe Menuwill tally some exciting texture and diversity to his performance . SinceJames Gunn and Peter Safran ’s boot DC Universeappears to be engage on lighter tones than the previous DCEU , Nicholas Hoult will in all likelihood call for to birth some laughable stand-in as Lex Luthor inSuperman : Legacy , too , and his previous purpose also reflect this , making him the perfect pick for the fabled villain .
