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| Image Credit: Searchlight Pictures |
Nicholas Hoult had a surprising reaction when he learned he would be playing Lex Luthor instead of Superman in James Gunn’s Superman reboot. While there’s no trailer for the film yet, anticipation is high for David Corenswet’s Man of Steel, which will be the first film in the new DC Universe. Before being cast as one of DC’s biggest villains, Hoult lost the role of Clark Kent to Corenswet. However, it seems the actor was always meant to play Lex Luthor.
On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Nicholas Hoult explained why he laughed after being offered the role of Lex Luthor in Superman 2025. According to the actor, despite initially auditioning for the role of the DCU’s Superman and even being one of the few stars to audition for the role, Hoult always knew he’d be better suited to Lex Luthor. When he actually got the offer for the role, Hoult laughed because he realized from reading the script that his perfect role in the film’s story was as the villain.
“It’s funny because when I first read the script, I remember reading it and there was a little part of me that was like, ‘Oh, I think you would have fun playing Lex.’ And I didn’t say anything, but when James [Gunn] called me to play Lex, I kind of croaked — I guess that’s how I would describe it. I didn’t say anything. I think he said, ‘We want you to play Lex,’ and I laughed because I think there was something in my gut when I first read the script that said, ‘I think this is the role I should play in this story.’”
Superman, everything we know about James Gunn’s film starring David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult
Superman, written and directed by James Gunn, won’t be another origin story, but the Clark Kent we first meet here will be a “young reporter” in Metropolis. He’s expected to have already met Lois Lane and potentially her fellow heroes (Gunn has said they already exist in this world and that the Man of Tomorrow isn’t the DCU’s first metahuman). Casting has led to actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. The cast also includes Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nicholas Hoult, and Nathan Fillion.
The film has also been described as a “workplace origin story,” suggesting that a large portion of the film will focus on Superman’s civilian identity, Clark Kent, who is a reporter for the Daily Planet. Gunn reportedly turned in the first draft of his script before the writers’ strike, but that doesn’t mean the production won’t be impacted going forward.
“Superman is the very foundation of our creative vision for the DC Universe. Not only is Superman an iconic part of DC lore, but he’s also a favorite character among comic book readers, viewers of the previous films, and fans around the world,” Gunn said during the DCU slate announcement. “I can’t wait to introduce our version of Superman that audiences can follow and get to know through film, animated films, and games.” The film is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
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