Nicholas Hoult Cast as Lex Luthor in “Superman: Legacy” – Everything We Know So Far

Nicholas Hoult’s ruthless turn as Lex Luthor is all anyone can talk about after Warner Bros. dropped the new Superman (2025) teaser, and the internet tremors are pushing the British actor to the very top of this week’s celebrity search charts. A bald, calculating menace unveiled The 30-second “Strength” spot opens on a gleaming Metropolis skyline before cutting to Hoult’s freshly shaved head and an ominous line: “A god should never have limits.” The footage—shared across the studio’s socials and quickly reposted by Screen Rant—confirms earlier set-photo leaks and delivers the first full-body look at Hoult’s corporate-warrior Lex Luthor, clad in a graphite three-piece suit that screams both money and malice. Why Hoult finally landed the big bad Fans will remember that Hoult screen-tested for Clark Kent back in 2022. Speaking to ComicBookMovie on Wednesday, the actor admitted losing the cape was “a blessing in disguise,” adding that director James Gunn described Luthor as “obsessive, relentless, the smartest guy in any room—traits I can really sink my teeth into”. Gunn’s script reportedly positions Luthor as the physical and ideological opposite to David Corenswet’s earnest Man of Steel, setting up a battle that stretches from Daily Planet boardrooms to orbiting satellites. Easter-egg buzz and DCU implications Sharp-eyed viewers spotted a purple-and-green schematic pinned to Luthor’s office wall—an unmistakable nod to the character’s classic power-armor. Industry insiders say a third-act reveal of the suit is “all but guaranteed,” teeing up future DC Universe crossovers. Hoult even told the outlet he’d “love to lock horns with Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker someday,” fueling rampant speculation about a World’s Finest event film. Family-friendly viral moment Adding lighter fuel to the trend, TODAY Show’s TikTok captured Hoult’s three-year-old son gleefully running clippers over Dad’s head during the pre-shoot haircut, a 42-second clip that has rocketed past five million views in 24 hours. The wholesome behind-the-scenes snippet contrasts sharply with the character’s cold persona and is helping the hashtag #HoultLuthor dominate both X and Instagram Reels. Release strategy and ticket intel Superman soars into theaters on 11 July 2025, the first full-length feature in Gunn’s rebooted DCU slate. According to exhibition sources, IMAX presales open next Friday at 10 a.m. ET, with an exclusive mini-poster featuring Hoult’s Luthor offered to the first 5,000 buyers. Expect traffic spikes as collectors scramble for the limited print; keywords like “Nicholas Hoult Lex Luthor poster,” “Superman 2025 tickets,” and “DCU Phase One” are already trending upward in Google’s related-queries box. Bottom line With a viral family moment, a meme-ready villain reveal, and an ambitious crossover tease, Nicholas Hoult is seizing the cultural spotlight exactly one year before Superman hits multiplexes. If search volume is any indication, Lex Luthor’s reign of terror has already begun—and Hoult’s name is set to dominate pop-culture headlines right through opening night.