Actor Nicholas Hoult is expected to play the role of Lex Luthor in the upcoming film Superman: Legacy, directed by James Gunn. The film features David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as Superman and Lois Lane respectively. María Gabriela de Faría will play the antagonist The Engineer.

Previously, the role of Luthor has been portrayed by actors Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey and Jesse Eisenberg.

Slated for a theatrical release on July 11, 2025, Superman: Legacy, the film also stars Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.

Besides direction, James has also written the script of the film. He had earlier clarified that the upcoming film will not trace the origin story of Clark Kent. The film will be the first of the new DC Universe projects announced under James and Peter Safran's leadership and will be a part of Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.