The official announcements for the DC Universe (DCU) projects have once again kicked off after being put on hold due to Hollywood’s dual strikes (WGA and SAG-AFTRA). Recently, it was revealed that David Corenswet has been set to play Superman alongside Rachel Brosnahan, who is on board to play Lois Lane in James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy. Now, after months of speculating about who the arch-nemesis of the Kryptonian superhero will be, it seems that the studio has finally found the iconic villain, Lex Luthor!
Yes, the new reports have confirmed the casting of the incredibly talented Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. With his undeniable range as an actor, Hoult, 33, is poised to bring a fresh and captivating portrayal to one of DC Comics’ most complex and notorious characters. Moreover, he has already been in business with the Warners on Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2. Hoult also starred in the 2015 Warner Bros. blockbuster Mad Max Fury Road, which made over $380 million at the global box office.
As fans eagerly await this new chapter in the Superman franchise, it’s clear that Gunn’s vision for Legacy is set to redefine the superhero genre with his bold and unconventional choices. Hoult’s casting to the project will be followed in the line of such previous portrayals of Luthor on-screen in the Warner Bros. Superman franchise by great actors, which includes Gene Hackman (Superman, 1978), Kevin Spacey (Superman Returns), and Jesse Eisenberg (DC Extended Universe).
Take a look at some fan’s reactions to this casting news:
Nicholas Hoult is a FANTASTIC choice to play Lex Luthor. I’m so down. #SupermanLegacy pic.twitter.com/8GYnkQaX44
— Connor Behrens (@ConnorBehrens) November 20, 2023
Nicholas Hoult auditioned to play Bruce Wayne in The Batman and Clark Kent in Superman Legacy before eventually being cast as Lex Luthor. What an amazing journey. #SupermanLegacy #LexLuthor pic.twitter.com/aW9clIUO0x
— Connor Behrens (@ConnorBehrens) November 20, 2023
David Corenswet as Superman
Nicholas Hoult as Lex LuthorI love these two castings so much. pic.twitter.com/UzdFIbLCz1
— Jesabel (@JesabelRaay) November 20, 2023
Perfect casting!!!
We are about to witness the best CBM rivalry put on the big screen!
Im so F******HAPPY!!!#SupermanLegacy #LexLuthor #NicholasHoult https://t.co/Pp8AO7bxld pic.twitter.com/kAWXrLtOYt
— Milkias Samuel (@milkias_samuel) November 21, 2023
The DCU franchise is a soft reboot of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), as it will be divided into chapters, starting with “Gods and Monsters”, which will begin in 2024 with the animated series Creature Commandos.
For this expanding franchise, Gunn and Safran have considered the chapter’s first film, Superman: Legacy, to be the true beginning of the DCU. It will not be an origin story, as the film focuses on a young version of Superman as a reporter interacting with key characters such as Lois Lane as he goes on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human family in Smallville, Kansas.
Safran described Superman in the film as “the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way; he’s kind in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
Additionally, the film has been given a worldwide release date of July 11, 2025, for which Gunn said the film would take specific inspiration from the comic book All-Star Superman (2005–2008) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, with inspiration also taken from other comic books. Earlier this year, Gunn confirmed he would direct the film with Safran producing.
Filming is scheduled to begin in March 2024 at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and is expected to last until around that time in July. Furthermore, many other superheroes are also set to be introduced in the film, including Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, one of the Green Lanterns. Fillion previously portrayed Cory Pitzner, or T.D.K. (the detachable kid), in The Suicide Squad.
Recently, Sara Sampaio has been cast in the role of Eve Teschmacher, with María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica aka The Engineer, and Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen.
