James Gunn Initially Eyed Bradley Cooper to Play Lex Luthor in SUPERMAN: LEGACY

We recently learned that director James Gunn had cast Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in his upcoming Superman: Legacy movie. Hoult was one of several actors that Gunn met with for the role, and at one point he was looking at casting Bradley Cooper. It was previously rumored that Cooper was actually offered the villainous role, and that he turned it down. That wasn’t quite what went down, though.

That rumor has now been clarified by insider Jeff Snyder, who says: “Gunn has long wanted a movie star to play Lex Luthor, and he’s believed to have discussed the role with Bradley Cooper during the press tour for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but in the end, he returned to Hoult, who very nearly played Batman for director Matt Reeves. He’s been on DC’s radar for years…”

Cooper would’ve been an interesting choice for Luthor, and I actually like the idea of an older Lex Luthor over a younger one. But, Gunn wanted that younger blood, probably because he’s planning on playing the long game with these characters as he builds out his DC Cinematic Universe. I like Houlth, though, and I’m sure he’ll be good. I’m just curious to see what his version of Lex will be.

Would you have liked to see an older version of Lex over a younger version?

Hoult will join the previously cast David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mr. Terrific, and María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica, aka The Engineer.

Superman: Legacy will tell the story of “Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.”

Superman: Legacy will launch the movie part of DC Studios’ Gods and Monsters: Part 1. It’s expected to begin in early 2024, and it’s scheduled for a theatrical release on July 11, 2025.