How Nicholas Hoult Lost Superman Role: A Rare Fan-Director Consensus

Could you picture Nicholas Hoult soaring through Metropolis in a cape? Turns out, it was pretty close to happening. Director James Gunn recently peeled back the curtain on the Superman: Legacy casting process, revealing just how deep the auditions went — and why Hoult ultimately didn’t land the role.

More than muscles: how chemistry decided it all

"A lot of casting is about finding the right person for the right role," Gunn explained in a recent interview on Jake’s Takes.

Hoult, by all accounts, nailed his audition. He brought the controlled, thoughtful presence he’s famous for — which in many ways could have worked for a fresh take on Clark Kent.

But Gunn was after a very specific kind of magic: the way Clark Kent would light up beside Lois Lane. Throughout auditions, he intentionally mixed and matched different actors for Lois and Clark to see who sparked.

"Nicholas is just more controlled," Gunn said. "Rachel [Brosnahan] is a very controlled actor too. David [Corenswet] is a bit looser. When we paired David and Rachel, it created this special dynamism — a balance. That’s what ultimately clicked."

So while Hoult had strong moments with another Lois contender — a more spontaneous, unpredictable actress — the pairing with Brosnahan felt less electric. Gunn didn’t want two tightly wound performances. He wanted contrast: one grounded and measured, the other looser and reactive.

Fans are already dreaming about Hoult’s Lex Luthor

And the best part? Fans aren’t heartbroken. If anything, they’re downright hyped that Hoult’s not donning the cape — because it means he’ll be slipping into Lex Luthor’s power suit instead.

One fan Posted on Reddit:

Another added:

A few even joked about the visual differences. "Not square-headed enough for Supes" someone wrote, "but all that control? That’s pure Lex. He’s gonna own it."

Maybe this was the perfect twist

So no, Nicholas Hoult won’t be saving the world. But he might just become the most dangerously captivating villain in the DC universe. And in an era obsessed with billionaires and shadowy corporate titans, it’s hard to imagine a better moment for Lex Luthor to shine.