Last night, the news broke that X-Men: First Class star Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor in James Gunn's Superman: Legacy.
However, based on a new report from The Insneider's Jeff Snieder, the British actor may not have been the filmmaker's first choice. As we first some time ago, it's said Gunn did indeed discuss the role of Lex with Rocket Raccoon actor Bradley Cooper during Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's press tour.
We don't know why he passed, but the actor has been extremely selective about his on-camera roles in recent years and seems to be largely focusing on his work as a director.
Many fans would have preferred seeing an older version of Luthor, but as David Corenswet is 30 and Hoult is 33, Gunn must have wanted them to be close in age. Regardless, this casting takes the DCU even further away from the DCEU where Luthor was played by Jesse Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.
The Superman: Legacy cast is shaping up to be an interesting ensemble. While Sneider notes that Gunn wanted a "movie star" to play Luthor, Hoult isn't exactly a huge name and, outside of X-Men, hasn't established himself as a leading man/box office draw in the same way as someone like Cooper.
As with Guardians of the Galaxy, though, it appears the filmmaker wants to sell the audience on these characters rather than just A-List stars.
David Corenswet is playing the Man of Steel, while Rachel Brosnahan has been tapped to star as Lois Lane. other recent casting additions include Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer.
There are still thought to be at least a few more roles which need to be filled, with Skyler Gisondo rumoured to be playing Jimmy Olsen.
It's also been reported that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 star Kurt Russell may be in the running for Jor-El (there's no word on Ma and Pa Kent or whether they're even alive in this iteration of Clark Kent's story). There are also rumblings that longtime Gunn collaborator Michael Rooker could play General Sam Lane.
Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.
Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.