Culture December 11, 2023

Nicholas Hoult cast as Lex Luthor in 'Superman: Legacy'

WATCH: New Superman and Lois Lane revealed

Nicholas Hoult will play supervillain Lex Luthor in James Gunn's forthcoming "Superman: Legacy," the director confirmed Monday.

Gunn took to Instagram to share a photo of himself and Hoult together against a backdrop of blown-up covers of Superman comics. He wrote in the caption that he "couldn't be happier" to "finally" confirm the casting news.

MORE: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan cast in James Gunn's 'Superman: Legacy'

The "Guardians of the Galaxy" veteran director said the pair had dinner Sunday 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."

Gunn also referenced previous online rumors that Hoult, who previously played Dr. Hank McCoy/Beast in some of the X-Men movies, had secured the role.

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Nicholas Hoult attends The Ferrari Gala: Ferrari's game changing spirit pays homage to NYC, Oct. 17, 2023, in New York.
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"'But, James, we heard this weeks ago, why didn't you tell us it was true?'" the filmmaker continued. "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. Anyway, here's to Lex (and Nicholas!), one of my very favorite characters in the DCU."

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"Superman: Legacy," which DC Films co-CEO Gunn wrote and is directing, will star "Pearl" actor David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" alum Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, an intrepid reporter and sweetheart of the last son of Krypton.

The rest of the cast -- thus far -- includes: Skyler Gisondo as the over-eager Daily Planet photojournalist Jimmy Olsen; Sara Sampaio as the villainess Eve Teschmacher, an ally of Luthor; María Gabriela De Faría as The Engineer; Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl; Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific; Anthony Carrigan as the shapeshifter Metamorpho; and Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner.