Nicholas Hoult shares the prep & pressure behind his role as Lex Luthor in ‘Superman: Legacy’

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Lex Luthor meets the new Lex Luthor this week as we sit down with Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies, About a Boy) for a conversation about his prep for the role, super hero pressure in the age of social media, and the art of shaving your head. Nicholas shared his hesitancy of progressing as a child actor (up until About a Boy) and how a moment of losing anonymity almost lead to him quitting. We also talk about geeking out when Anthony Hopkins hissed, his appreciation for Clint Eastwood’s dark humor, and whether or not Nicholas Cage went to bat for him during their second film together.
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Nicholas Hoult shares the prep & pressure behind his role as Lex Luthor in ‘Superman: Legacy’ #insideofyou #nicholashoult #lexluthor #supermanlegacy

[@TruColor]

I don't know anything about acting for the most part, but as a jazz musician for almost 50 years, I'm reminded of the what the late, great Charlie Parker once said - "You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail." Seems like that certainly applies here.

[@mydreaminorbit9297]

If Hoult can channel the Superman the Animated Series Lex. Where Lex in the presence of Superman is cool, calm, and, collected. Yet, deep inside Lex is burning with envy and jealousy over Superman. That would be the ideal base to build his version of Lex from.

[@blakeburress]

Agreed. I would also like to see the human side of Lex that sees Superman as an alien threat he feels he has to protect humanity from, like he was in Red Son.

[@henrypeters5291]

I think Jon O'Shea from Lois and Clark did that part the best, despite his comedic take on the character.

[@LordLemoncake]

Him as Lex will be very interesting, he can look very serious, i hope to see a great performance.

[@jingleballs9935]

Same

[@mattd6200]

he looks like they tried him out as Superman but settled for Lex.

[@miranda13c]

@@mattd6200Actually, Nicolas has spoken before about how much he wanted the role of Batman but lost out to Robert Pattinson. That isn’t surprising though considering the fact that SO many actors and actresses will always audition for major roles like that, especially with superhero films. They know just how great of an opportunity that is.

[@jerelischable]

I won’t deny I’m extremely excited for another take on Superman. Please be one that gives hope

[@UnifiedaxxS]

Won't be as good as man of steel. No reason to keep holding out hope

[@mudiametokunboh2370]

@@UnifiedaxxSwhat the heck it will be amazing both can be cool excited for it so much

[@Powerhaus88]

@@UnifiedaxxS MoS is undoubtably the best for its non-comic-y realism.

[@UnifiedaxxS]

@Powerhaus88 exactly, I'm sure gunn's vision will go back to more campy superman. Not my thing usually

[@kangerer8886]

Gunn is a mega comic fan and he did phenomenal with the guardians of the galaxy especially the last film in particular, if anyone is capable of brining just to the DC films it’s definitely going to be Gunn

[@sangun123]

He’ll do better than eisenberg and that’s all that matters

[@jculver1674]

Not the highest bar to clear, but yeah.

[@alexanderandrew6535]

Eisenberg played more like the mad hatter 😂

[@majikman5140]

@@alexanderandrew6535I’d say him or Riddler

[@Maximus0623]

Agreed, but let’s set a higher bar. He could do better than Eisenberg and still be terrible. I think he’ll be great. Gunn knows how to cast.

[@MaestroDrake]

But better than Cudlitz?

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

He's a great actor so I trust that he'll do a great job. I really liked him in the Menu and Fury Road to name a few.

[@davidg7643]

Not sure about him for lex tbh

[@AzulApe]

@@davidg7643weird I feel the exact opposite. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

[@miranda13c]

Nicholas Hoult definitely has the acting talent for this role, and looks the part. I’m excited for this movie. They REALLY nailed it with the casting of David Corenswet as Superman. Not only is David a talented actor, but visually he is PERFECT for the role.

[@ssjcosty]

@@miranda13cI disagree. He has a somewhat childish face, whereas Rosenbaum had a mature face even when he was younger. I’ve never seen Hoult play any role where he comes off as an imposing adult man, he always seems to have this kicked puppy naive face in every role he plays. Even in The Menu, where he’s a despicably evil character, his character is still a wimpy loser.

[@ib_420]

​​@@ssjcosty except that's the whole character of Lex. Someone who thinks himself as the big deal, as "that guy", but deep down, he's an insecure loser, jealous that there's someone who actually is the big deal and with extremely broken abilities might i add. Him having a childish face adds to the character

[@theyearwas1473]

Smallville holds a small spot in my heart because it's the reason I ended up getting an article 15 for taking a week off when I got back from Iraq to watch through all the seasons.

[@tylermeinhold]

Hoult was kind of asking for advice, and Rosenbaum didn’t give him the greatest answer. I think Hoult was looking for more a direct answer than what he got

[@sparks564]

I noticed that, maybe Michael just didn't want to influence his performance too much so he could create his own vision of the character

[@calvinjluther]

It's fine.

[@jackblack9605]

I think his gist is to try to relate and humanise the character.

[@radicaladz]

​@sparks564 - as a former Drama student, I actually appreciate that Michael is extending that courtesy to Nicholas here, and being magnanimous and welcoming him to make his own mark on the role of Lex, because as Michael says himself, his own version of Lex is not his favourite, but as one of the people who played him longest, his opinion on what makes the character compelling is not without merit, and it's very easy for actors to get in their own head about how someone else would do it. There's a play on the West End at the moment called The Motive and the Cue by Jack Thorne starring Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn, which is about when John Gielgud directed Richard Burton as Hamlet, which is entirely about that disconnect when two actors, two of the greatest of their respective generations, are trying to tackle this role from completely different standpoints; history has shown there is no "right" way to play Hamlet, but most people who know the role all have very strong opinions about how *not* to play it.

[@soulysephiroth]

He does dance around that question. But it's fine. He clearly wants the dude to make it his own. But Hoult clearly admires his portrayal of the character.

[@davebirch2543]

I look forward to seeing Nick in this role. I've been a fan of his work since his time in Skins as Tony. I get the feeling Michael didn't want to colour Nick's idea of how to portray the character too much knowing that he'll nail it himself when the time comes.

[@babygiraffeman]

It's cool watching Holt just intake what is being told to him.

[@miranda13c]

I’m really excited to see this new cast in these roles for Superman and how they approach these beloved and well known characters. I’m happy with the actors they have chosen. I think they will do a great job, too.

[@glennwelsh9784]

There's something surreal about seeing the next Lex picking the brain of a previous Lex about how they approach the role. I don't know what point in Lex's life that Nicholas will be portraying him, but Michael's Lex was much more of an origin story and an evolution of how he'd become the Lex from the comics. I don't imagine that Nicholas' Lex will have anywhere near as much time to develop as Michael did on account that we're comparing a 2-hour movie to a show that ran for a decade.

[@savannah7375]

These two will be my favorite lexs

[@I-speak-U-shut-it]

I agree nice profile pic btw :)

[@ytuser_3122]

I find it funny af how Hoult will play Superman’s arch nemesis as he was one of the finalists with David Corenswet, it’d be like if he played Joker in Matt Reeves’s Batman as he also was one of the finalists for Batman with Robert Pattinson

[@Maximus0623]

It is funny and it’s worked out well before. Cillian Murphy and Heath Ledger both auditioned to be Batman for Christopher Nolan. I’m expecting Gunn’s Superman movie to be great.

[@spongemaster]

​@@Maximus0623 there was also Tom Hiddleston who auditioned for Thor but ended up as Loki and Sebastian Stan who auditioned for Captain America but instead ended up playing Bucky Barnes.

[@Maximus0623]

@@spongemaster Good point. Two more examples that worked out well. Hopefully this one does too.

[@bettercallmaul5810]

It works well into the fact that Lex is jealous of Superman. He's the 2nd most "Super" man in the world.

[@Maximus0623]

@@bettercallmaul5810 good point. Hoult can use any natural jealousy for the character

[@mayh3094]

Good clip!

[@jasoncoladonato1034]

He’s gonna crush it

[@marcelo78]

Hackman's performance is iconic. But I personally like Rosembaum's in Smallville and John Shea's in Lois & Clark the best. Forget about Jesse Eisenberg.

[@candjim]

Going by his looks as well as acting ability, he could also play Superman.

[@jeffw3905]

Hoult is the most talented actor to touch that role. He’ll do great

[@shenlonggohan]

Spacey and Hackman have 4 oscars between them. Are you dumb?

[@oxymoronman]

Lex and Clark are two sides of the same coin on how our fathers affect us and our drive in life. Lex has father issues and is insecure to the point where he intentionally, continously, picks a fight with a man named Superman. Meanwhile, Clark had not one, but two, great father figures that took care of his needs unlike Lex who was told to fend for himself and become worthy of attention. So you can imagine how much it triggers Lex to see Superman adored when he perceives himself to be more worthy of it based on all his insane accomplishments. They could have been best friends if Lex wasn't so insecure.

[@luisz222]

One of my favorite Lex portrayals besides michael rosenbaum and clancy brown were jon cryer and titus welliver. Titus Welliver only had a single episode on Titans but I think he absolutely killed it. That lex was calm, collected and experienced. You could tell that he’s been doing this for a long time and in that show he and superman had been fighting for 40 years.

[@ssjcosty]

I absolutely loathed Jon Cryer’s performance. He never managed to bring seriousness and gravitas to his role, instead his character came off as a middle aged used car salesman having a mid life crisis.

[@RiseBeneath]

That's cool man I live 5 hours from Newburgh in place called Goshen. In Northern Indiana.

[@arsalmir3162]

George Miller was gonna do Justice League Mortal, Nicholas Hoult played in his movie and now he's gonna be in a Superman movie.

[@craigsteven9665]

i remember seeing nicholas doing promo work as a kid for the film about a boy where he would do interviews alongside hugh grant. always seemed a nice kid. fingers crossed this is a big role for him

[@eleegs]

Hoult’s performance in Mad Max really impressed me in regards to his versatility. I didn’t think he fit well as Beast/ McCoy as his portrayal was a little too reserved in my opinion. His The Menu performance was outstanding and I still have great memories of his childhood role with Hugh Grant. I am eager to see what he brings to the role in Gunn’s version

[@WereSquatch]

He wasnt my first choice but I trust Gunn so Ill give him a chance. I think he wouldve been a better Scarecrow

[@blackmantis3130]

Who was?

[@trintenm8551]

Hoult is a good actor. I am interested to see how he plays this. What throws me off is James Gunn said that this movie is going to be a 'experienced' Superman, meaning that Lex has had time to rise to his position as well... why not get Clancy Brown (Lex's Voice from the animated series). He understands the character, and is a good screen actor too. He can definitely be affable or incredibly intense.

[@gh0stm0nst3r6]

The injustice arc of Lex is my favorite take on the character.

[@joncarroll2040]

The Legion of Luthor

[@NinjapowerMS]

Man I didn't even connect the fact that Rosenbaum voiced Wally west in Justice league animated series. Easily the best portrayal of Flash imo.

[@DrasticSkuba]

I really hope he brings us a good version of the character. He's a very strong actor, but I am finding it hard in my head to see him as Lex. That doubt might be a good thing though. I am hopeful

[@lilchaos4792]

He's soooo handsome and formidable actor

[@shaikshaiful1070]

This could totally start the Lex-Verse as well... It would be very interesting to see what happens when Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor meets Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor.

[@kamdan2011]

Bryan Singer said that he would have cast Hoult if he had gone with a reboot of Superman instead of going the “vague sequel” route.

[@lindamawdsley6130]

It will be interesting to see what he does with the character but I do like the way Michael played Lex as it was a slow build up with many emotional disappointments that led to his eventual need for revenge🙃

[@pinkmothstudio4449]

Nicholas Hoult 😍😍

[@Warren-G-Harding]

2LEX2FURIOUS

[@Nick64266]

Funny I never actually watched Smallville but I knew it had Lex Luthor in it. And I just realized this guy played him 😂

[@savannah7375]

He rocked the bald look imo

[@murrynathan]

He really looks like Terry McGinnis.

[@zNowly]

From playing tony in skins to this wow

[@Patrick-wl6pw]

I see lex

[@omegaswiper]

If Lex wants love he will give everyone in the world the superpowers of Superman through Lexcorp the way Jobs gave us iPhones. Its like Yellowjacket in Antman.

[@genesis1720ify]

I think Rosenbaum tried avoiding giving advice about Lex because Gunn is his friend, and even more so, doesn’t want to push against a version of the character that he is unaware of. It’s clear no one, including Rosenbaum, has read the script for the new film except for the cast. Plus, if you notice most actors that have played a previous incarnation of the same characters often avoid philosophical or character advice, it’s usually always practical stuff like “Make sure you can sit or piss in that suit, etc…” I have always found that interesting. Has there been an example or a great story, where an actor gave deep advice to another actor that played the same character? I’m interested *EDIT: Spelling

[@Guilhermemezari]

We know Gunn offered the part to Cooper in a way "giving full control" of the construction of the character to him. Trusting his potential. With Hoult I think this changed completely I don't think at least in the first movie Lex will be prominent In the plot. He has gravitas. And what I think we'll see is not.much talking more of a silent somewhat "menacing" figure. Either that or the classic and dangerous "weird Gunn" type character but still silent for sure.

[@ssjcosty]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Hoult bring gravitas in any of his roles.

[@Guilhermemezari]

@@ssjcosty I meant that Lex has gravitas.

[@oneluv1981]

I was gonna say before he mentioned it that he was the best Lex Luther. The only thing I didn't like was that he wasn't in the last season. He was but he wasn't.

[@Missmagazinebura]

I loved smallville

[@thedetectivecomics9761]

Que gran teoría

[@1newbert]

Best Luther is Clancy Brown.

[@jmsflora279]

Too bad they won't have a Lionel Luthor in the movie.

[@gumtreekoala987]

No one cares about him.

[@Notturnoir]

@@gumtreekoala987actually everyone loves john glover

[@MH-zg5yw]

NIcholas Hoult was GOOD in Renfield. The movie was fun.

[@luhole]

One should never despair if you're a weird looking kid, because wowie Nicholas Hoult is attractive now...

[@henrypeters5291]

*Let's play it really over the top and big and goofy and huh* BvS flashbacks intensify.

[@dollarsaurus01]

You can’t make a Tomlette without breaking a few Greggs- oh wait wrong guy

[@knightzix_01]

To me the best version of lex was the animated Series version that guy was The Worse You Know the one This LEX used to play Wally west the flash

[@silver2therescue1]

Lex talking to Lex. XD

[@athisio836]

He would of been a great batman

[@katevand]

yay Indiana

[@redhood8798]

Get Skeet Ulrich on the show, I saw you posted with him

[@redhood8798]

Finallyyy

[@ClancyNacht]

I don't know if I like this. It's like when you walk into a room and your two cats are just sitting there staring at each other... and you know they're plotting something. Two Lexes in one room. I dunno. ;)

[@Guilhermemezari]

I really wish Hoult to be amazing as Lex. But I CANNOT envision it. He's gonna have to act his ass off.

[@savannah7375]

I believe in his ability. Hoping for the best

[@Missmagazinebura]

I only remember him as beast in the x men movies

[@Kameron87]

Double Payday: Flash on JLU and Lex Luthor on Smalville.

[@pp-vf8ls]

just dont base from Smallville Lex, we already got that one

[@hamerthyme7810]

I didnt like that "watch" was the default . READ THE DAMN COMICS GUYS this is where its going wrong. The inspo is there.

[@krrishkrrishna7735]

Hoult meets the Godfather Lex....😅

[@dbzispimpin]

Man I like Hoult as an actor, but I just don't see him as Lex AT ALL, not physically, not structurally, not emotionally... and none of his previous performances have EVER said "Hey he'd make a good Lex Luthor!" to me... I can't fathom why Gunn would choose him as Lex unless his audition was something spectacular... so here's to hoping he delivers a performance that's one for the ages... because Eisenberg's performance as Lex was godawful... almost as bad as Leto's Joker... almost...

[@Maximus0623]

I agree with everything you said about Hoult, but sometimes actors surprise with these roles. People were overwhelmingly disappointed when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker until the trailer came out and it became obvious he was going to be awesome. James Gunn has a strong history of casting well in roles. I’m trusting in Gunn. But yeah, I get it. Hoult doesn’t scream Lex Luther the way Bryan Cranston does.

[@dbzispimpin]

@@Maximus0623 - Ledger is the exception, not the rule... more often than not when people think "Oh hell na" for casting an established pop culture character, the masses tend to be right... there's always gonna be exceptions like Ledger, but they're very rare... Bryan Cranston for an older Lex would be perfect, but I think a more youthful Lex is what Gunn should be aiming for, like somebody in their 40s... 30s is too young and 50s is too old... With that said, even tho he's a bit on the younger side, I think the PERFECT casting choice for Lex would have been Austin Butler, especially after his recent performance in Dune, with the menacing bald look, he would have been superb for Lex! Also I think the actor Theo James who's playing the lead role in the Netflix Guy Ritchie series The Gentlemen would have been a great Lex, since he can play quietly menacing pretty well, and he's got decent acting range too from the performances I've seen from him, he'd just need to perfect an American accent, since he's British. But my top choice would have been Austin Butler for sure... that dude steals the show everytime he pops up in a new project lately, his voice is iconic, he looks great bald...

[@Maximus0623]

@@dbzispimpin I hadn’t thought of Austin Butler, but now that you said it, I agree he would be great. He’s shown he has range and with Dune showed that he can command the screen as a villain. I’m trying to be positive about Hoult. At least the casting isn’t Eisenberg bad. Everyone but Zack Snyder immediately knew that would be a train wreck. Hopefully Hoult will surprise because villains kind of make or break superhero movies. The best ones have strong villain portrayals.

[@dbzispimpin]

@@Maximus0623- 100% hoping for the best alongside you brotha... I'm not super optimistic, but I'm certainly not HOPING Hoult is bad... and if Gunn is good at anything consistently, it's casting people well with Guardians, Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, Gunn has done a great job with casting thus far, so hopefully Hoult gave him a stellar audition or something that convinced Gunn that he was right for such a pivotal recurring character... Still wish Butler had gotten it tho, I was really hoping for it, even before I saw him in Dune 2, that performance just cemented him as my favorite choice for Lex.

[@Maximus0623]

@@dbzispimpin I get what you’re saying. On paper, Hoult is not a good choice. The only reason I’m optimistic is because of James Gunn. I’m probably setting myself up for disappointment, but I have high expectations for this movie and the DCU. I think Gunn is going to fix DC.

[@user-vk9wr8wh5e]

Talented actor. Too bad he will be wasted on Superman: Legacy movie.

[@dwho19951]

How about "Nicholas Hoult share the preparation" instead?

[@johnwilson8482]

Well, it would be difficult to be worse than the last Lex...

[@milesmayhem5440]

Clancy Brown is the best Lex, then Gene Hackman.

[@warrengouldthorpe5091]

I dont see Nicholas Hoult as Lex, I don't think he would be that good

[@honestmcgyver]

On the one hand I find it fascinating but on another - jeez you’re just pretending but for a lot of money. Let’s put it in perspective

[@elijahdiablo7310]

I still cant see him as lex, he just seems too boyish too me

[@byroneveson]

Three reasons I won't watch Superman: Legacy: 1) Guy Gartner as Green Lantern : Should be Hal Jordan 2) Race swapping Ottis and Perry White 3) No Henry Cavill (best Supe since Christopher Reeve)

[@Piplupz01]

Really? You're mad about them race swapping Otis? Seriously dude? Lmfao womp womp. The movie's gonna be peak it doesn't matter what race the characters are it matters how good the story is.

[@kielanwade5096]

Get a grip on your life mate

[@alhusseinfarah4194]

Fun fact the world has moved on, including Henry Cavill and everyone else will go and see the movie.

[@DaRkLoRd-rc5yu]

Cavill looked the part and he's a great actor but I didn't care for those movies at all, and I blame Zack snyder

[@channe3049]

Henry's interpretation of Clark Kent was very dried and his character lacked chemistry with Amy's Lois Lane. Not to mention he had a hard time pulling off the American accent due to him as a British actor.