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It has been reported by Deadline that Nicholas Hoult, who played the bullied child in About a Boy, has been chosen to play the role of Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s upcoming film, Superman: Legacy. This casting decision has left me unsure of how to react.
Hoult has evolved into a captivating actor with impressive comedic skills, and it seems that he will continue to have a lasting presence in the industry even as his youthful appearance fades. He may even become a modern-day version of Terence Stamp or Christopher Lee, rather than simply another attractive British actor finding success in Hollywood. In The Great, his portrayal of Peter III of Russia was surprisingly complex, showcasing a bloodthirsty, self-absorbed personality hidden behind a charming exterior. Interestingly, he was also a potential candidate to play Superman at one point.
However, the decision to cast Luthor reveals Gunn’s direction for the film. It may not be reminiscent of Smallville, but there are hints of a “young Superman” vibe, despite the director’s claims. The 33-year-old Hoult will face off against David Corenswet, who plays the 30-year-old last son of Krypton. It has been expected for the film to have a younger cast ever since Gunn announced he would not be working with previous actor Henry Cavill. There is a fear that this could lead to a similar situation as seen in the disliked Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where a fresh-faced actor (Jesse Eisenberg) was cast as Luthor and faced criticism for it.
There are reasons to feel optimistic. Gunn is better at managing comic book universes than the visually stunning but ultimately lacking in vision Zack Snyder. And with control over the DC franchise, he can create Superman: Legacy according to his own vision. He has disregarded most of the mistakes of the previous leadership, even though some elements, like Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, were still popular. So if he has chosen Hoult to be the main antagonist, there must be some reasoning behind it.
It is possible that this new version of Luthor may not initially be the main villain in Legacy. According to Deadline, Venezuelan actor María Gabriela de Faría will play the villainous Angela Spica, also known as the Engineer, who first appeared in a 1999 comic book series. Gunn’s film appears to have a broader focus on world-building compared to previous DCEU movies, introducing superheroes like Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific. It is likely that more villains will also be introduced. There are rumors that Brainiac, a Superman adversary who has not yet been seen in a movie, may also make an appearance. This could be perfectly timed with the current trend of artificial intelligence in science fiction.
Meanwhile, it’s possible that Hoult would make a great Luthor by patiently waiting in the shadows, targeting the new Kal-El and seizing the perfect opportunity to strike. I can’t picture Hoult as the typical sneering and leering Lex, similar to Gene Hackman’s portrayal, dominating scenes and overpowering Supes (at least in terms of acting abilities rather than physical strength) just yet. However, he has undoubtedly earned the opportunity to prove any doubts wrong.
Source: theguardian.com
