The Billionaire Brainiac: 7 Actors Who Were Perfect For Lex Luthor Before Nicholas Hoult’s DCU Casting

The casting of Lex Luthor, Superman's greatest nemesis and the world's most dangerous mind, has always ignited a firestorm of debate among comic book fans. For months, the internet was ablaze with speculation, shortlists, and dream picks for who would play the iconic villain in James Gunn’s new DC Universe (DCU), specifically for the highly anticipated film Superman (formerly Superman: Legacy). As of late 2024, the debate has been settled, but the list of actors who were considered "perfect" for the role remains a fascinating look into fan aspirations and the multifaceted nature of the character.

The choice ultimately fell to a surprising but brilliant candidate, an actor who had previously auditioned for the role of the Man of Steel himself. This article dives deep into the fan-cast frenzy, analyzing the top contenders who possessed the requisite genius, cold charisma, and underlying menace to challenge the new DCU's Superman, and why the final choice is arguably the best one yet.

The Official DCU Lex Luthor: Nicholas Hoult

In a move that thrilled and surprised many, director James Gunn and DC Studios officially cast Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

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Nicholas Hoult: Biography and Casting Analysis

• Full Name: Nicholas Caradoc Hoult
• Date of Birth: December 7, 1989
• Place of Birth: Wokingham, Berkshire, England
• Notable Roles: Beast in X-Men franchise, Nux in Mad Max: Fury Road, Robert Harley in The Favourite, Peter III in The Great, and R.M. Renfield in Renfield.
• Casting Context: Hoult was initially in the running to play Superman before being cast as Luthor.
• Why He Was Chosen: Hoult brings a unique blend of boyish charm and intense, unhinged energy, which is perfect for a younger, more contemporary Lex Luthor. His career shows he is not easily typecast, capable of playing both sympathetic and deeply disturbed characters. James Gunn and Hoult himself have expressed a desire for this Lex to be a "real, credible threat," focusing on the character's intellectual and emotional weight rather than just a caricature.

Hoult’s casting allows the DCU to present a version of Lex that is a peer to David Corenswet’s Superman, a ruthless billionaire genius who sees the alien hero not as a threat to humanity, but as a personal affront to his own perceived superiority. This fresh take moves away from the older, established businessman and towards a modern, tech-savvy titan of industry.

The Skarsgård Brothers: The Almost-Shortlist Contenders

Before the official announcement, the Skarsgård family dominated many fan-cast discussions, with two brothers, in particular, being rumored to be on the official DC Studios shortlist.

1. Alexander Skarsgård

Alexander Skarsgård quickly became one of the most popular fan-cast choices, and for good reason. His recent work showcased the exact type of cold, calculating, and physically imposing presence that a modern Lex Luthor requires.

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• Notable Roles: Eric Northman in True Blood, Perry Wright in Big Little Lies, and Amleth in The Northman.
• The Lex Factor: Skarsgård’s turn as the terrifyingly charismatic Perry Wright in Big Little Lies won him an Emmy and proved his ability to portray a man of immense power with a deeply sinister core. His tall, commanding physique and sharp features perfectly fit the classic, intimidating Lex Luthor look, making him a fan-favorite for a more physically dominant version of the villain.

2. Bill Skarsgård

Bill Skarsgård, known for his ability to transform into unsettling and memorable characters, offered a different, more unnerving take on the villain.

• Notable Roles: Pennywise in the It films, The Kid in Castle Rock, and Marquis in John Wick: Chapter 4.
• The Lex Factor: Fans saw Bill's potential in portraying the megalomaniacal genius with an unsettling intensity. His performances often hint at a deep, disturbed intelligence, which could have translated into a more mentally unstable and dangerous Lex, contrasting sharply with Superman's earnest nature.

The Homelander Effect: The Villainous Fan-Cast

One actor consistently topped fan polls due to his pitch-perfect portrayal of a charismatic, yet deeply evil, superhero-like figure in a rival franchise.

3. Antony Starr

Antony Starr's performance as Homelander in the hit series The Boys cemented his status as a top contender for any major comic book villain role, especially one that requires a veneer of heroism over a core of pure evil.

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• Notable Roles: Homelander in The Boys, Lucas Hood in Banshee.
• The Lex Factor: Starr possesses the unique ability to switch instantly from a charming, public-facing figure to a terrifying psychopath. This duality is the essence of Lex Luthor: the beloved, philanthropic billionaire who secretly harbors an obsessive, murderous hatred for Superman. His intense stare and controlled rage made him the ideal choice for a Lex who could manipulate the masses while plotting Superman's downfall.

The Dark Horse Contenders: Intensity and Charisma

Beyond the top-tier names, several other accomplished actors were frequently mentioned, each bringing a specific, desirable quality to the role of Lex Luthor.

4. Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender has long been a popular choice for high-profile villain roles, thanks to his intense acting style and commanding screen presence.

• Notable Roles: Magneto in the X-Men franchise, David in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, and Steve Jobs in Steve Jobs.
• The Lex Factor: Fassbender’s portrayal of Magneto showed his mastery of complex, morally grey characters driven by a fierce, almost fanatical ideology. Fans envisioned him as a Lex Luthor driven by intellectual pride, a man whose ego is so immense that he views Superman as an evolutionary mistake that must be corrected.

5. Matthew McConaughey

Known for his laid-back charisma and Southern drawl, Matthew McConaughey offers a completely different, yet compelling, interpretation of the billionaire villain.

• Notable Roles: Rust Cohle in True Detective, Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club, and Cooper in Interstellar.
• The Lex Factor: McConaughey could bring a chilling, almost casual confidence to Lex Luthor. His version would be a smooth-talking, effortlessly charismatic public figure, whose menacing intelligence is hidden just beneath a veneer of Southern charm and effortless cool. This interpretation would perfectly capture the "man of the people" persona Lex often adopts.

6. Matt Smith

The British actor, known for his range and unique energy, was a dark horse pick that gained significant traction due to his recent television work.

• Notable Roles: The Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who, Prince Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon, and Milo in Morbius.
• The Lex Factor: Smith’s performance as Daemon Targaryen demonstrated his capacity for complex, volatile, and arrogant characters. He could have brought a younger, more unpredictable, and aristocratic Lex Luthor to the screen, one whose genius is matched only by his petulance and entitlement.

The End of the Debate and the Future of the DCU

The fan-casting phase for Lex Luthor is officially over, but the debate surrounding who could have played the role is a testament to the character's enduring legacy. Every fan-cast, from the intensity of Antony Starr to the cold elegance of Alexander Skarsgård, highlighted a different facet of the villain's complex personality.

James Gunn’s decision to cast Nicholas Hoult, an actor who is not yet defined by a single villainous archetype, is a bold statement. It suggests the DCU is aiming for a Lex Luthor who is a contemporary mirror to Superman—a young, ambitious, and globally recognized figure whose intelligence is weaponized by his ego. By choosing Hoult, Gunn secures an actor capable of delivering the emotional depth and intellectual threat necessary to make Lex Luthor a truly formidable and unforgettable adversary for a new generation. The era of speculation is over, and the era of the Hoult-Luthor is about to begin.