SUPERMAN: LEGACY Director James Gunn On Why He Didn't Cast Longtime Friend Michael Rosenbaum As Lex Luthor

SUPERMAN: LEGACY Director James Gunn On Why He Didn't Cast Longtime Friend Michael Rosenbaum As Lex Luthor

Michael Rosenbaum is a longtime friend of DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, and the filmmaker has now revealed why he decided against casting the Smallville alum as Superman: Legacy's Lex Luthor. Check it out!

By JoshWilding - Dec 12, 2023 12:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman: Legacy

While everyone can agree that Nicholas Hoult is a great pick to play Lex Luthor, the decision to put the spotlight on that villain yet again in Superman: Legacy has raised some eyebrows. 

If it's true that Brainiac is set to appear, it may not matter, but after Lex has taken centre stage in everything from Superman: The Movie to Superman Returns and even Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it feels like the reboot is retreading familiar ground. Ultimately, it will come down to whether James Gunn is able to do something new with him.

Given the filmmaker's longtime friendship with Smallville star Michael Rosenbaum, many have wondered whether he could be given the chance to play the DCU's Lex. 

When that was put to Gunn on Threads, he responded, "I love Michael - he was my favorite Lex and he’s one of my very close friends. But I wanted a Lex who was contemporaries with Superman."

We're not remotely shocked that Rosenbaum wasn't cast (even if it would have been pretty cool), but Gunn's comments about Lex being Superman's contemporary suggest Superman: Legacy will feature a relationship akin to the one seen in the Superman: Birthright comic book. 

That's an intriguing dynamic and one which could allow Gunn, Hoult, and David Corenswet to find a new approach to Luthor's hatred for the Man of Tomorrow. 

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.

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, Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. 

Kurt Russell no longer appears to be in the running for Jor-El and there's no word on Ma and Pa Kent or whether they're even alive in this iteration of Clark Kent's story. Brainiac, meanwhile, is expected to serve as the reboot's big bad. With production set to begin early next year, we're hoping the final few cast members will be revealed in the weeks ahead.

Superman: Legacy is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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UniqNo
UniqNo - 12/12/2023, 12:46 PM
Did he really need to respond to that question....? I'd prefer he tell us who's scoring the dam thing. 😅
theFUZZ008
theFUZZ008 - 12/12/2023, 12:48 PM
@UniqNo - Let's get some classic, thematic bombast, please. Keep Zimmer far away.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 12/12/2023, 12:49 PM
@UniqNo - probably not chosen yet and if so likely John Murphy
UniqNo
UniqNo - 12/12/2023, 12:55 PM
@theFUZZ008 - Zimmer is good with the right material....but i think he was done with Superheroes after MoS and doing half of BvS.

I'm liking Ludwig Gorransson...But he's fast becoming too in demand.

Probably not hia bag but Clint Mansell could kill it if the movie goes more on a psychological level....but i HIGHLY doubt that.
HammerLegFoot
HammerLegFoot - 12/12/2023, 12:59 PM
@UniqNo - They should get Kanye to score the movie.
theFUZZ008
theFUZZ008 - 12/12/2023, 12:47 PM
"...but Gunn's comments about Lex being Superman's contemporary suggest Superman: Legacy will feature a relationship akin to the one seen in the Superman: Birthright comic book."

So, basically Smallville, then. Got it.
HammerLegFoot
HammerLegFoot - 12/12/2023, 12:59 PM
@theFUZZ008 - I never read Birthright, so I thought he was going to say Smallville
Steel86
Steel86 - 12/12/2023, 2:32 PM
@HammerLegFoot - If you are a Superman fan it is amazing imo. Its only about 12 issues long and it is a modern retelling of Supes orgin
UniqNo
UniqNo - 12/12/2023, 2:33 PM
@HammerLegFoot - birthright was awsome. Check it out. It definitely pulled some inspiration from Smallville, but its definitely its own thing.

If they were to adapt that story into a movie i wouldnt see it working though as far as the 'invasion' goes.

You'll know what i mean once you've read it... i may be remembering it wrong though, it's been a while.
WhatIfRickJames
WhatIfRickJames - 12/12/2023, 12:49 PM
Why was this even a question? Of course he didn’t cast him.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 12/12/2023, 12:50 PM
The man was not only one of the best comic related antagonists on TV ever, but also had one of the best takes on Wally West Flash as well. He deserves all the praise.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 12/12/2023, 12:56 PM
@ModHaterSLADE - agreed.

UniqNo
UniqNo - 12/12/2023, 12:57 PM
@ModHaterSLADE - im sure there's a role for him the further they go into it.

He'd make a good Deadman
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 12/12/2023, 12:59 PM
@UniqNo - I like that

He could be a good Kite Man too imo.

The1st
The1st - 12/12/2023, 12:59 PM
@ModHaterSLADE - Yeah, I thought Cryer was an ok Lex but, so far, Michael is the goat. Titans made my nose bleed so I didn't check that one out. Or Oz Lex on the CW show.
The1st
The1st - 12/12/2023, 1:01 PM
@TheVisionary25 - I wish he'd gone full Smallville Lex on the ep when Flash and Lex switched bodies while pretending to be Lex 😉
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 12/12/2023, 1:03 PM
@The1st - I didn’t see the Titans version since I didn’t care much for that show and stopped before S3

The Superman & Lois version I like so far but he’s definitely a darker , more serious Lex (even gives Kingpin vibes at times).
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 12/12/2023, 1:08 PM
@TheVisionary25 - Yeah, I mean he does have some history with comedy, wouldn't be a bad choice.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 12/12/2023, 1:10 PM
@The1st - Cryer was decent as Lex IMO, he obviously leaned into the camp but came off menacing at times as well, but Rosenbaum was just so good at juggling being an asshole and actually sympathetic at times as Lex.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 12/12/2023, 1:24 PM
@The1st - Cryer played for fools an entire country while grooming his own cloned Kryptonian to do his dirty work until he betrayed them all to be the hero and all while he was in jail. He was a pretty good amalgamation of many versions, with parts of All-Star Superman in the characterization.
Arthorious
Arthorious - 12/12/2023, 1:55 PM
@TheVisionary25 - ha the doctor had a crush on Grodd
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