Nicholas Hoult Teases a “Very Different” Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s MAN OF TOMORROW
Nicholas Hoult is getting another shot at playing Lex Luthor in Man of Tomorrow, and it sounds like James Gunn has some pretty interesting plans for Superman’s greatest enemy. The actor says the upcoming DCU sequel will take Lex in an unexpected direction, giving audiences a version of the character they haven't seen before.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Hoult was asked just how much more dangerous Lex would become in the new film. He laughed and offered a simple response: “Go to the cinema to see.”
While he wasn't about to spoil anything, Hoult did share his excitement about where Gunn is taking the character.
“James Gunn wrote a wonderful story, and it was great to play that character again, because you know, we’ve established them in the first movie. But now we get to push them into these different territories and do something a little unexpected with them.
“And I’m excited for people to see it because I’m like, oh, this is, I think, very different for Lex, and the dynamic between all of those characters.”
One of the biggest changes coming in Man of Tomorrow is that Lex Luthor will actually have to work alongside Superman. The two longtime enemies will find themselves facing a common threat in Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger.
That's going to make for an interesting partnership, especially after everything Lex put Superman through in the first movie. Seeing these two forced to cooperate should be a lot of fun, particularly with Lex's ego and his obsession with proving he's superior to the Man of Steel.
Lex will also be getting a major upgrade in the sequel. Hoult will be wearing the character's iconic Warsuit, something he specifically requested when he first discussed the role with Gunn.
“That was one of the things that, when I first spoke to James about playing the character, I was like – Hey, I want the Warsuit. I want to be in on some of the action as well.”
With the Warsuit giving him the power to fight alongside Superman, we'll get to see him take a much more physical role in the action. I'm especially curious to see what Gunn has planned for the armor and how it will look in action.
David Corenswet is returning as Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan back as Lois Lane. The DCU cast also includes Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Aaron Pierre as Green Lantern John Stewart, and Adria Arjona as, most likely, Wonder Woman. Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, and Edi Gathegi will also reprise their roles as members of the Justice Gang.
Gunn is once again writing and directing, and bringing Superman and Lex together against Brainiac gives him an opportunity to explore a completely different relationship between the two characters.
Lex might be helping save the world this time, but that doesn't mean he's suddenly going to become a good guy. It'll be interesting to see how long he can tolerate fighting on the same side as the man he hates most.
Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.