James Gunn has been expanding his DC universe in preparation for the franchise’s official debut in 2025. Nicholas Hoult has been the latest star to join the DCU as he will be in Superman: Legacy as Lex Luthor. The role was previously held by Jesse Eisenberg in the SnyderVerse.
This is just the latest casting for the upcoming film. Last week, María Gabriela de Faría joined to be in the villainous role of The Engineer. Gunn has been quickly filling up the roster of villains and heroes with David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, Abigail Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.
Nicholas Hoult Lands Villain Role in DCU as Lex Luthor, With a Debut in Superman: Legacy
The news originally came from Deadline, which had confirmed that after looking for a big star to wear the supervillain’s shoes, the casting ended up on the Mad Max: Fury Road star. He is the latest to play the character in live-action. Previous actors include Lyle Talbot, Gene Hackman, Scott James Wells, Sherman Howard, John Shea, Michael Rosenbaum, Kevin Spacey, Eisenberg, Jon Cryer, Titus Welliver, and Michael Cudlitz.
Soon, the DCEU will be gone as the DCU takes over with Nicholas Hoult and the other cast members of Superman: Legacy. Some previous works will stay in the canon, like Blue Beetle, Peacemaker, The Flash, and The Suicide Squad. After Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom releases in December, Gunn and other filmmakers will craft a new universe. Only a chunk of projects have been unveiled, like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Brave and the Bold, The Authority, and more.
Superman: Legacy will soar into theaters on July 11, 2025.
