SUPERMAN: LEGACY Director James Gunn Responds To Rumors Daniel Craig Is Being Eyed To Play DCU's Lex Luthor

SUPERMAN: LEGACY Director James Gunn Responds To Rumors Daniel Craig Is Being Eyed To Play DCU's Lex Luthor

This week has seen a number of actors added to Superman: Legacy's cast as various superheroes, but what about the villainous Lex Luthor? Well, he won't be played by Daniel Craig according to James Gunn!

By JoshWilding - Jul 13, 2023 06:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman: Legacy

This month, Superman: Legacy found its Man of Steel and Lois Lane, with fan-favourite superheroes like Green Lantern and Hawkgirl also added to the mix in recent days. 

While Nicholas Hoult's name has been attached to Lex Luthor, it was later reported that the actor had, in fact, been screen testing for the role of Clark Kent. If accurate, it means we're no closer to learning who will be the movie's lead antagonist. 

Yesterday evening that all changed when Giant Freakin Robot (a source that's nothing if not hit-or-miss) claimed No Time to Die and Glass Onion star Daniel Craig has been offered the villainous role.

Needless to say, it's news which has generated a lot of excitement among fans. 

Superman: Legacy writer/director and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn wasted no time in debunking that report, making it clear there's no truth to Craig being the DCU's Lex Luthor. It's a shame, yes, but we're guessing the filmmaker might be looking to cast someone younger than the 55-year-old former 007. 

Craig was supposed to play Balder the Brave in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness but was unable to do so due to COVID protocols. Whether he'll return to the MCU remains to be seen. 

"Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas," reads the movie's synopsis. "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 set to be released in theaters on July 11. 2025.

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CoHost
CoHost - 7/13/2023, 6:38 AM
Fan casting is the cancer of the internet.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/13/2023, 6:41 AM
@CoHost - I don’t know if it was fancasting but I did some scoopers saying it was happening

Plus , I would rather do more fancasts on here then be constantly miserable and negative like so many here
tylerzero
tylerzero - 7/13/2023, 6:47 AM
Curious as to how reporters (like Michileen Martin above) feel when their "scoop" gets publicly shot down by the horse's mouth.

FinnishDude
FinnishDude - 7/13/2023, 7:17 AM
@tylerzero - If you are Grace Randolph, you unironically believe that Gunn changed his plans just to spite you.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/13/2023, 6:56 AM
Ngl , Craig as Lex would rock imo.



However , I do personally want Lex to be closer in age to Clark so I hope Nicholas Hoult is still in contention because I think he could pull it off.
tmp3
tmp3 - 7/13/2023, 6:57 AM
@TheVisionary25 - What do you think of Alexander Skarsgard for Lex?
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/13/2023, 6:58 AM
@TheVisionary25 -
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/13/2023, 7:00 AM
@tmp3 - honestly , I have seen very little of his work so I don’t know if I can judge him best from that (he’s been fine in the stuff I have see ).

I know many think he could be Lex based off his character in Succession which I haven’t seen but I would be willing to give him a shot .
MartianManHuntr
MartianManHuntr - 7/13/2023, 7:00 AM
@TheVisionary25 - I really wish they change human actors during each Superman film. Get older actors with each film for human characters just to show Superman slow aging and how this changes characters view. May be that's why Luthor goes now evil and brutal.
The1st
The1st - 7/13/2023, 7:42 AM
@TheVisionary25 - Gives off those Rosenbaum vibes...never really seriously considered him until seeing this. Still think Lex Should be closer to Batman's age, but if they're going for the Smallville dynamic I could see this being a possibility now. Everything I've seen him in unfortunately has mostly been him playing similar roles so I'm not sure.

That said, I always liked the film Archive...so how about this guy:

TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/13/2023, 7:54 AM
@The1st - hmmm , Theo James

Not bad.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 7/13/2023, 8:29 AM
@tmp3 - He would be PERFECT. Loved him in every role i've seen him play. Dude is a criminally underrated actor. My favorite might be in MUTE, which not alot of people like but i Loved it

connorblaze
connorblaze - 7/13/2023, 7:08 AM
Honestly I was never a big fan of Alexander Skarsgaard, always found him a bit dull and dry. But his character on Succession was so damn fun to watch that I think he’s my top pick now, even over his brother Bill. That said, that runs the danger of being repetitive, so I’d be up for seeing something/someone new, too. Jealous arrogant rich guy who is smart and bald… could be played well by a [frick] tonne of people. What really matters is his chemistry with the lead I guess.

That said, what about Antony Starr?
The1st
The1st - 7/13/2023, 8:04 AM
@connorblaze - Maybe a little too on the nose, but actors love to mix it up. Probably a little too old though, although not really because it shouldn't really be too physical of a role. I'd also say this guy too, but I'm sure what direction Gunn is going.

ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 7/13/2023, 10:39 AM
@connorblaze - did you see true blood? His first big part I remember, and he was truly menacing in that.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 7/14/2023, 1:11 AM
@The1st - Gabriel Macht, would be an interesting choice. He was a very smart laywer in Suits. If not the best one.
Forthas
Forthas - 7/13/2023, 7:29 AM
I could have told you that...I don't think any Oscar caliber actor would work for Gunn. Gunn is basically following fan casts and hiring friends and family.
DannRamm113
DannRamm113 - 7/13/2023, 7:40 AM
@Forthas - while not the Oscar’s, Corenswet and Broshanahan are both Wmmy nominated and multiple Emmy nominated actors.

I’m also not sure if they’re BFFs with Gunn, but they’ve never worked with him sooooooo….
DannRamm113
DannRamm113 - 7/13/2023, 7:40 AM
Emmy nominated and Emmy winning**
Forthas
Forthas - 7/13/2023, 7:43 AM
@DannRamm113 - So why is this Cornswets first leading movie role?
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 7/14/2023, 1:14 AM
@DannRamm113 - Only Rachel Brosnahan has won an Emmy and two Golden Globes, David Corenswet hasn't even been nominated for none of his work so far.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 7/13/2023, 7:46 AM
A simple "No" sums up the whole article.
DerekLake
DerekLake - 7/13/2023, 8:09 AM
Lex definitely needs to be charismatic. He also kinda should feel like a man’s man, a natural leader. IMO the interesting dynamic between him and Superman is that Lex wants to be the Ubermensch, and Superman challenges that goal.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 7/14/2023, 1:20 AM
@DerekLake - Reminds me of Jon Cryer's unforgettable snap moment in his introduction as Lex in Supergirl when he heard his sister say that Superman was a good man compared to him.

TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 7/13/2023, 8:28 AM
There were rumours about Bradley Cooper being his first choice, and he turned it down, so it would make sense that is the type of actor he is looking for...
DocSpock
DocSpock - 7/13/2023, 8:56 AM


Article about an obviously made up rumor. Great.

I wonder how many of these Josh just makes up.

NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 7/14/2023, 1:20 AM
I wouldn't have mind if he was chosen for the role. But for all we know it's possible he's being eyed for a different role. Maybe as Brainiac or as Perry White.
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