James Gunn recently confirmed that Nicholas Hoult would be portraying Lex Luthor in the DC Universe. Following the announcement, Gunn revealed his goal with the character in Superman: Legacy.
A core question in the minds of fans is how similar James Gunn will make Superman: Legacy to prior Superman films. Namely, how he intends to make characters like Lex Luthor stand out in his DC Universe when they’ve been done so well (and so poorly) so many times before. In the same announcement post confirming Nicholas Hoult is attached to the project, Gunn explained how they met to create a truly unique Lex Luthor:
“Yes, finally I can answer, [Nicholas Hoult] is Lex Luthor in [Superman: Legacy] and I couldn’t be happier,” Gunn wrote in a recent Instagram post. “We went out to dinner last night to celebrate [and] discuss how we can create a Lex that will be different from anything you’ve seen before and will never forget.”
Many fans speculate this means James Gunn will go the “childhood friend” angle for Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy, as most prior film incarnations have been detached businessmen. Regardless of what form the character takes, the clash between Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet is one that’s sure to rock the DC Universe.
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!
