It was recently announced that Nicholas Hoult would be playing Lex Luthor in the DC Universe. While responding to a number of recent social media posts, James Gunn revealed why Michael Rosenbaum didn’t land the role in Superman: Legacy.
Ever since it was announced that James Gunn would be helming Superman: Legacy, Smallville fans have called for Michael Rosenbaum to return as Lex Luthor in the DC Universe. This left many fans disappointed when it was confirmed that Nicholas Hoult had landed the role. However, according to Gunn, he wanted to avoid casting someone much older than David Corenswet’s Superman:
I love Michael – he was my favorite Lex and he’s one of my very close friends.” James Gunn revealed in a post on Threads. “But I wanted a Lex who was contemporaries with Superman.”
It’s certainly understandable that James Gunn would want to keep Lex Luthor and Superman of a similar age in Superman: Legacy. Given he likely wants this incarnation of the DC Universe to last a long time, Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet are very versatile actors to hold the roles for at least a few years. Sorry, Michael Rosenbaum — there’s always Lionel Luthor!
What to expect from Superman’s DC Universe debut
Set to begin production in March 2024, Superman: Legacy promises a fresh take on the iconic superhero saga, featuring David Corenswet stepping into the role of Superman, previously portrayed by Henry Cavill. Joining Corenswet in this new chapter of the Superman story is Rachel Brosnahan, who will bring to life the character of Lois Lane, the intrepid journalist and Superman’s love interest.
Superman: Legacy is a much-anticipated project, given that Clark Kent has been an integral part of the DC Universe for over 80 years, with various iterations and adaptations across different media. The movie promises to explore the character’s origins and his struggles to balance his dual identities as Clark and Superman while fighting off villains and saving the world. The choice to focus on the early years of his career is a bold move that could potentially breathe new life into the character and appeal to a younger generation of fans.
James Gunn and Peter Safran told journalists that their vision for the DC Universe includes locked scripts, wiggle room, and a unified storyline across film, television, animation, and video game projects. The two explained that the DC Universe could bring back elements from previous DC regimes, meaning that their eight-to-year plan is not a full reboot.
Superman: Legacy is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
