DC Nearing Casting For Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor
Emma Mackey (left), David Corenswet, & Nicholas Hoult.
After Henry Cavill announced his departure from the role in December, fans have been constantly speculating as to who will be the next actor to step into the role of the Man of Steel, and it seems that we may be nearing an answer. In January, James Gunn announced that Superman: Legacy would be the first in his new era of DC films, with production beginning early next year for a summer 2025 release. For most comic book-related films, San Diego Comic-Con is the top spot to reveal footage, announce projects, and disclose who is who in new cinematic universes. With the late-July deadline quickly approaching, Gunn and Safran’s DC Studios needs to near a decision soon, to avoid the risk of the casting being scooped.
Key Art Graphic for Superman: Legacy. Courtesy of DC Studios.
Earlier this morning, The Hollywood Reporter reported that, in the ongoing casting process, the numerous performers have been narrowed down to groups of 3-5 for the leading characters, with frontrunners emerging for Superman, Lois Lane, and even Lex Luthor. In the case of Superman himself, only one frontrunner was named, that being David Corenswet of Netflix’s Hollywood and The Politician. Corenswet has been a name thrown around by fans of DC Comics over the past few months and is someone who many consider as perfect for the role.
In the case of hot-shot reporter and love interest Lois Lane, multiple actors were named as possibilities, including Emma Mackey (Sex Education), Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), and Samara Weaving (most recently of Scream 6). It’s said that while Brosnahan was a standout in the early rounds of auditions, the filmmakers are aiming for younger actors, closer to the age ranges of Mackey, Dynevor, and Weaving.
In the case of Superman’s most famous foe, only one name has emerged — that of Nicholas Hoult, last seen in March’s Renfield opposite Nic Cage. For Hoult, landing a major role like this would certainly be a big relief, as he’s recently admitted to having lost out on Batman (now played by Robert Pattinson) and a major role in the upcoming Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 due to his ongoing role in Hulu’s The Great. Although THR reported that Hoult was gunning for the villainous Luther, Deadline’s Justin Kroll took to Twitter to dispel this report, claiming that Hoult was, in fact, up for Superman instead.
Even with the information above, no official confirmations from the studio have been released, although James Gunn confirmed via Twitter that one role in Superman: Legacy had been cast, but he chose not to specify which. Superman: Legacy is slated to begin production next January and release on July 11, 2025.
