Nicholas Hoult is set to portray Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman. He is coming in the footsteps of some of the great actors like Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey who have played the character in many Superman films over the years. The actor is set to go against David Corenswet’s Superman in the new DCU film.
Hoult recently sat down with Michael Rosenbaum who played Lex Luthor in the hit series Smallville. Fans consider his portrayal of the character as the best in DC history. When Hoult asked for any advice from Rosenbaum about playing the character, Rosenbaum gave him a very important approach that has worked for him during his tenure as the character.
Michael Rosenbaum Tells Nicholas Hoult To Go With His Gut for Lex Luthor
Nicholas Hoult joins the ensemble cast of James Gunn’s Superman and is set to go against David Corenswet in the film. Hoult’s Lex Luthor is expected to have a very interesting arc and Gunn has teased a very different presentation of the character from previous incarnations. Hoult recently appeared on Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum where he talked about his prep for the film.
Rosenbaum wished the best for Hoult and is expecting great things with his performance. Hoult asked him for some final words of wisdom from the Rosenbaum who has played Lex Luthor for many years in Smallville. Rosenbaum advised Hoult to go with his gut and give it all with his performance. He told him to trust himself and have the freedom to experiment with the character. He said,
“Go with your gut, even if it seems a little crazy or a little bit out there, just try it. Try everything. Listen to James and if he gives you one that you just want to just f**k around with, really f**k around. I love being able to just have the freedom of being unhinged sometimes or trusting myself and not just I have to do it this way. Be free and trust your instincts, You’re gonna have a blast.”
Rosenbaum further told Hoult that he has seen his works and knows how insanely talented he is as an actor. He trusts Hoult to do justice to the character and bring a new shade to him that hasn’t been explored yet. Hoult seems to be inspired by Rosenbaum’s wisdom and is determined to live up to his legacy.
Nicholas Hoult Hails Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor As The Best Ever
Michael Rosenbaum has played Lex Luthor over multiple seasons in the hit series Smallville. The actor managed to bring a lot of complexity and emotionality to the character that resonated with fans. He is considered by many as the best on-screen Lex Luthor in DC history. It seems the same sentiment is shared by Nicholas Hoult who is set to play the character in James Gunn’s Superman.
In an appearance on Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum, Hoult revealed that Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor was the first version of the character that he had seen on-screen. While the actor has seen other versions of the character in other films, he declared that Rosenbaum’s portrayal was the best of them all. He said,
“The first ever Lex I saw was you. Yeah, I grew up, Smallville was on. That was the show I would watch and see my first iterations of Superman and Lex and all those stories. I’ve since seen Richard Donner’s movies and all the other ones and kind of seen some of the other performances but you’re like the one. … It’s the best.”
Hoult is expected to give a great performance as his version of Lex Luthor has been promised to be a unique one. Fans are expecting some intense scenes between him and David Corenswet’s Superman. Fans will get to see Hoult as Lex Luthor when Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.
