Not Nicholas Hoult James Gunn Reportedly Wanted Another Famous MCU Star to Play Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy
Nicholas Hoult might slay the role of the formidable villain in the upcoming and much-anticipated Superman: Legacy, but he wasn’t the first choice of James Gunn. The director initially wanted actor Bradley Cooper to take on the role.
Bradley Cooper has been voicing Rocket Racoon of Guardians of the Galaxy for years and Gunn wanted him to secure an even bigger role which he couldn’t. Seems like Cooer wants to focus on other projects as well rather than just sticking to the superhero world. However, if Copper had considered playing Lex Luthor it would have been nothing less than a virtual treat.
James Gunn Wanted Bradley Cooper To Play Lex Luthor
Before Nicholas Hoult was in talks and made headlines for taking on the role of Lex Luthor in the upcoming Superman: Legacy, it was Bradley Cooper whom James Gunn wanted to secure the role according to The Insneider. But Cooper playing the iconic and one of the most ending foes in the DC universe would have looked a bit old as Gunn envisioned young actors for his new movie and that’s one of the reasons even Henry Cavill was replaced.
Even though Bradley Cooper isn’t playing the incredible intellect’s role, it’s quite engaging to imagine him opposing the Man of Steel. However, after the lengthy casting search for Superman: Legacy which is also Gunn and Peter Safran’s first feature from the new DC Studios universe, David Corenswet is set to play Clark Kent/ Superman alongside Rachel Brosnahan who secured the role of Superman’s love interest Lois Lane.
Nicholas Hoult Was Previously Considered To Lead Superman: Legacy
Before Nicholas Hoult landed on the role of the iconic adversary, he was considered to play Clark Kent in James Gunn’s movie. However, Corenswet’s performance overshadowed every potential choice and he’s finally going to lead the much-anticipated movie. Hoult has also played Beast in the X-Men films and is a lauded actor when it comes to portraying different roles in and out of the superhero world.
According to James Gunn, his upcoming project will showcase and revolve around Kent and Lane’s story as he wrote on Threads (via Entertainment Weekly) “Fit the story I’m telling. Story always comes first. The primary story most definitely revolves around Superman and Lois.” The superhero will also be seen reconciling his heritage with his human upbringing.
As Gunn has written and will direct Superman: Legacy, he claims to captivate fans through the story of Metropolis’s red-capped protector. He also posted a series of tweets on X, expressing his love for crafting the movie:
“Just because I write something doesn’t mean I feel it in my bones, visually and emotionally, enough to spend over two years directing it, especially not something of this magnitude. But, the long and the short of it is, I love this script, and I’m incredibly excited as we begin this journey. #UpUpAndAway”.
Superman: Legacy will start filming next year in January and according to Deadline, the project has added the name of Sara Sampaio for the role of Eve Teschmacher who becomes Lex Luthor’s love interest from being his assistant.
Superman: Legacy is set to release on July 11, 2025.
