Summary
- Nicholas Hoult is reportedly set to play Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy, as depicted in new fan art by spdrmnkyxxiii and Bosslogic.
- Hoult’s casting as Lex Luthor is celebrated by the DC Universe audience, showcasing his potential to bring depth to the iconic villain.
- Hoult’s previous performances in franchises like X-Men and critically acclaimed films like Mad Max: Fury Road showcase his ability to handle complex characters, making him a refreshing choice for Lex Luthor in the DC Universe.
As Superman: Legacy is reportedly adding Nicholas Hoult in the role of Lex Luthor, the British actor suits up as the major DC Universe villain through new fan art. The list of actors playing Lex Luthor in live-action seems to have a new addition, according to Deadline’s reports that Superman: Legacy is set to feature Hoult as Clark Kent’s ultimate opponent. After being in the running for both Batman and Superman in The Batman and Superman: Legacy, respectively, Hoult is reportedly getting tapped as Lex for James Gunn’s upcoming reboot.
Currently, Gunn and DC Studios haven’t commented on Hoult’s Lex casting for Superman: Legacy, though the DC Universe audience is already celebrating the latest addition. To show what he may look like as Lex, the popular digital creators spdrmnkyxxiii and Bosslogic each revealed new art of Hoult, that imagined what the actor might look like as Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy.
In spdrmnkyxxiii’s design, Hoult gets pitched as donning Lex’s iconic Lexosuit that has been featured in numerous DC live-action and animated properties over the years. One of the live-action Superman-related TV shows to feature the actual Lexosuit was Supergirl, with Jon Cryer’s Lex and multiple other characters using it throughout the seasons.
Meanwhile, Bosslogic shared a design of Hoult’s Lex in his traditional business suit, as he is seen standing in front of the Lexcorp logo. While it has to be confirmed or denied, Bill and Alexander Skarsgård were reportedly also being eyed for Lex in Superman: Legacy.
Why Nicholas Hoult Is A Perfect Lex Luthor Casting For The DCU
Hoult getting reportedly tapped to play the latest live-action incarnation of Lex for Superman: Legacy certainly bodes well for Gunn’s DC Universe. While he may have been one of the supporting players in the X-Men prequel movies, Hoult’s version of Hank McCoy, a.k.a. Beast, was always one of the stronger aspects of those movies. The actor has also considerably expanded on his credits over the last couple of years, with critically acclaimed performances in Mad Max: Fury Road, Tolkien, and The Menu.
In addition to his movie resume, Hoult has also shown his range through the Hulu dramedy, The Great, as he landed both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. It’s clear that whether it is playing heroic or dark characters, Hoult can juggle both sides, opening up a lot of potential for his DCU performance. As such, Hoult would be a refreshing choice for someone like Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy, especially since this carries the potential for the character to have bigger arcs throughout other movies and TV shows within that continuity.
Given Hoult’s many DC superhero auditions in the last few years, it is satisfying to see him seemingly finally land a major role like Lex. Hopefully, before filming gets underway, a first look at the DCU’s Lex (and whether the actor shaves his head or uses a bald cap) can be revealed. That said, with Superman: Legacy production gearing up to start sometime in March 2024, the future is sure to reveal what the DCU version of the character will look and act like soon either way.
Source: spdrmnkyxxiii & Bosslogic/Instagram
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