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Nicholas Hoult is no stranger to big blockbusters. From his role as Beast in the “X-Men” films to his work in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” the actor has been around the block. He came to work honestly. That’s not to say he came through his role as Lex Luthor in “Superman.” dishonestlybut this is the first time in his impressive career that he’s slid into a director’s DMs to try to get a role.
Author James Field’s new book “Superman: The Art and Making of the Film” is packed with tons of behind-the-scenes details on the making of James Gunn’s DC blockbuster. Hoult plays Lex Luthor alongside David Corenswet’s Superman, and the actor revealed in the book that he literally slid into Gunn’s DMs to land the highly coveted role. Here’s what he had to say about it:
“This is the first time I’ve ever done this – I slid into James’ DMs and was like, ‘Hey, I can’t wait to see what you’re up to there. If there’s ever anything I could be in, you know, there, let me know.'”
Hoult initially auditioned to play Superman, but it was unsuccessful. However, Gunn then realized that the actor would be a great fit for this new version of the legendary DC Comics villain, Lex Luthor. There’s something to be said for having an actor who botched the role of Superman and then became his nemesis. Gunn, best known for directing Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, seemed to have it figured out. The particularly interesting thing about Hoult is that he also almost played Batman in 2022’s “The Batman,” with the role ultimately going to Robert Pattinson. He seems to be in good spirits through all of this.
Nicholas Hoult’s DM Worked, Even Though He Didn’t Get to Play Superman
Even so, not playing the hero is definitely something he can exploit as a villain in the DC Universe. As for landing the role, the actor further revealed that initially he just wanted to try on the Superman costume and see what it was like working with Gunn. When the director called him to offer him the role of Luthor instead of Clark Kent, Hoult had a rather interesting reaction:
“I thought, ‘Let’s go see what it’s like to work with James. I want to try on the Superman costume.” It’s something that I think every kid in the world wants to do at some point. Then one day I got a phone call from James and he said, ‘How about playing Lex Luthor?’ I read the script. There was a little part of me in my gut that said, “I think you could be better and have more fun playing Lex.”
Finally, it worked. “Superman” became a huge success both critically and commercially, getting the new DC Universe off to a great start. Hoult is also set to return in Gunn’s “Man of Tomorrow,” which will see him team up with Corenswet’s Man of Steel to battle an even greater foe. It looks like this will be a role Hoult will keep for years to come. Sliding into those DMs paid off.
You can order “Superman: The Art and Making of Motion Picture” on Amazon.
