James Gunn Confirms Nicholas Hoult Will be Lex Luthor in “Superman: Legacy”

Not only did James Gunn confirm that Nicholas Hoult will be playing Lex Luthor in his upcoming, new DC Studios era-defining Superman: Legacy, but that Hoult would be unlike any Luthor to come before him.

The new co-chief of DC Studios shared an image of himself and Hoult on Threads, which Gunn revealed was taken during a celebratory dinner after Hoult’s official casting as the iconic Superman villain.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Gunn wrote. “We went out to dinner last night to celebrate & discuss how we can create a Lex that will be different from anything you’ve seen before and will never forget. ‘But, James, we heard this weeks ago, why didn’t you tell us it was true?’ Because, although we were discussing it, it wasn’t final until a couple days ago and I don’t want to tell you all something that isn’t certain.”

It was reported back in December that Hoult, who originally auditioned for the role of Superman himself (which ultimately went to David Corenswet), was in talks to play Luthor. With Gunn now confirming, his Superman: Legacy cast is coming into focus. Hoult joins Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Maria Gabriela de Farîa as Angela Spica/The Engineer, and Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher.

Superman: Legacy will be the first official feature in Gunn and co-chief Peter Safran’s new look DC Studios, which will now be completely integrated and unified along film, TV, and video game projects.

Superman: Legacy is slated for a July 11, 2025 release.

For more on Superman: Legacy, check out these stories:

Nicholas Hoult Eyeing Lex Luthor Role in James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy”

James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy” Casts Its Villain

James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy” Cast Shaping Up With Nathan Fillion Joining in a Key Role

“Superman: Legacy”: David Corenswet & Rachel Brosnahan Cast as Superman & Lois Lane

Featured image: HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 04: Nicholas Hoult attends the premiere of 20th Century Fox’s “Dark Phoenix” at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 04, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)