Superman

APRIL FOOL’S 2023: Michael Rosenbaum To Play Lex Luthor (Again) in James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy

James Gunn has tapped Michael Rosenbaum to reprise the role of Lex Luthor for the Superman: Legacy film.

Published

1 year ago

April 1, 2023

Craig Byrne

NOTE: The following story is NOT true and is part of KryptonSite’s 2023 April Fool’s post.

KryptonSite has learned that the new DC Films co-head James Gunn has recruited media’s best Lex Luthor for his upcoming Superman: Legacy film, making him the first cast member tied to this new project…. and the man who is facing off against the Man of Steel might look a bit familiar, especially to those who have been reading this website for the past 22 years.

Who is the new Lex Luthor for the 2025 movie? None other than Michael Rosenbaum. Apparently his recent Twitter profile picture change was a hint of the news that would be coming.

Smallville fans might be a little disappointed, though, that no other cast members from the show are planned to be a part of this project, so this is a different Lex Luthor than Michael has played in the past. However, we knew James Gunn had already spoken to Henry Cavill and other former DC actors about new roles, and this is the first to come out, so who knows what the future may bring? As far as Superman goes, though, Gunn is looking for an actor who is younger than Cavill, making the Clark/Lex dynamic significantly different this time from what we saw in Smallville.

Michael has long been a friend of James Gunn’s and appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as Martinex. Interestingly, we hear that the two top considerations for the Luthor role were Michael Rosenbaum and Michael Rooker who also starred in that film, but that Rooker passed on the part after having an adverse reaction to chocolate covered pretzels in the production office.

Interestingly, we are hearing that part of Rosenbaum’s deal is that it would also include a secondary project which we are hearing is titled Luthor, which will ideally give Superman’s greatest enemy the kind of attention and awards love that Joaquin Phoenix had in The Joker. The Joker has a sequel coming out in the future and has no connection to Gunn’s new shared DC Films universe.

Should this report be true, we expect that Michael will have to take a step back from his excellent Inside of You podcast as well as TalkVille which he hosts with Tom Welling. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear more; however, before you share this article, you might want to read this.

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5 Comments

Bob

April 1, 2023 at 8:15 am

Should this report turn out to be true, are you actually serious? The article writer is basing their whole story on a picture post, yea right ok, that’s some journalism there. When the article mentioned Michael Rooker was also in line to play the role I almost pissed my pants, Rooker is almost 70 20 years older than Rosenbaum.

Reply
- Craig Byrne
  
  April 1, 2023 at 11:11 am
  
  It’s an April Fool’s gag. Lighten up.
  
  Reply
Charlene Engvik

April 1, 2023 at 10:49 am

I absolutely love the idea of Michael being Lex again. Glad he is up to it. Can’t wait to see that sexy scar again.

Reply
Kevin Naethe

April 1, 2023 at 7:14 pm

If this is true why not make Tom Welling the new Superman. Him and Michael have worked together for years and would make sense to be like Smallville in the future. Bring back Erica Durance too

Reply
Tao

April 2, 2023 at 10:35 pm

Honestly though, this would have made sense. He has expressed an interest in playing the character again & has done voice over work (as the Flash” for animation. Checks all the boxes, honestly

Reply

Images

First Look Photo: David Corenswet as Superman!

The first official photo of David Corenswet in costume as Superman has arrived.

Published

2 days ago

May 6, 2024

Craig Byrne

The first official picture of David Corenswet in costume as Superman is finally here.

Director James Gunn’s new Superman movie itself might not be out until July of 2025, but fans today got their first look at Corenswet wearing the costume after an “S” reveal happened a few months back. The “S” is inspired by the design from Alex Ross in the Kingdom Come comic book series, and the suit itself looks to be less colorful than expected, but still very solid. And… are those underpants on the outside that we see? We can’t wait to see this in action!

Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and more. It is expected to release to theaters July 11, 2025.

Superman

Lex Luthor x2: Michael Rosenbaum Interviews Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Hoult visited Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum today for a conversation between two Lex Luthors.

Published

2 months ago

March 5, 2024

Craig Byrne

There is a very special episode of Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum today as Michael’s guest this week is Nicholas Hoult who will be playing Lex Luthor in the 2025 Superman film. They talk about the role of “the greatest criminal mind of our time” and Nicholas reveals who was the first Lex that he ever saw… and yep, it’s the same guy as our favorite. There’s even a comparing of notes about head-shaving and the audition process, and Michael enthusiastically cheered Hoult on.

Nicholas Hoult also asked Rosenbaum about his approach to Lex. “There’s a lot of things I related to the character,” Michael said, pointing to his own childhood. He also noted that Lex was “calm and collected” but “intense” when you crossed him. It’s a very complex character and Hoult will surely succeed like Michael did. You can watch the interview below.

Superman

Wendell Pierce is Perry White in James Gunn’s Superman

Wendell Pierce has landed the role of Perry White in James Gunn’s Superman.

Published

2 months ago

March 1, 2024

Craig Byrne

Multiple trade outlets are reporting that Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Suits) has been cast in the iconic role of the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Planet, Perry White, for James Gunn’s new Superman film. The movie recently began production and is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Wendell Pierce joins a pantheon of great actors who have previously played the role, including Laurence Fishburne, Jackie Cooper, Lane Smith, Michael McKean, and more. His Daily Planet group will include David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Some trivia about Mr. Pierce, by the way: In addition to his work in acting, he was part of a group that started a chain of grocery stores!