Summary:
- Nicholas Hoult, who will portray Lex Luthor in the DCU, recently revealed his shaved head on Instagram so that he can play the character.
- Hoult isn’t the first actor who has to shave their head to portray Lex Luthor on the big screen. Jesse Eisenberg is another example.
- The actor already played the young version of Hank McCoy/Beast in Fox’s X-Men universe.
Actor Nicholas Hoult is set to bring the iconic supervillain Lex Luthor to life in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie, even if it means that he has to sacrifice his glorious hairline. Hoult recently offered fans a glimpse of his new look for the role, sporting a shaved head that aligns with the classic depiction of Lex Luthor.
On Instagram, Hoult shared images posing beside a Ferrari, showcasing the bald look that he’s adopted for the filming of Superman, which is currently halfway done filming. Although James Gunn had previously teased this look with a set image revealing Hoult’s bald head, the latest photos give fans a closer look at what to expect from his portrayal of the infamous antagonist. Let’s check him out:
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Nicholas Hoult shaving his head for the role isn’t unexpected, as Lex Luthor is traditionally portrayed as hairless in the comics. However, this hasn’t always been the case with every movie and TV show adaptation. For instance, Jesse Eisenberg initially portrayed Lex with long hair in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice before getting shaved at the end. Additionally, the character has hair in the new animated series My Adventures with Superman, though it’s hinted that he might go bald in the second season.
Nicholas Hoult’s role as Lex Luthor adds to his impressive list of superhero-related characters, including Hank McCoy in the X-Men franchise and the titular role in the recent Renfield. Hoult’s voice is also featured in the newly released The Garfield Movie. His filmography includes notable titles like Mad Max: Fury Road, The Great, and Warm Bodies.
Hoult joins a distinguished list of actors who have portrayed Lex Luthor, after the likes of Michael Rosenbaum, Jesse Eisenberg, and Kevin Spacey. The actor’s favorite version of the villain, however, is Rosembaum’s in the Smallville series.
“Smallville was on…I was 11, 12, I guess. That was the show I would watch and see my first iterations of Superman and Lex in all those stories. […] I love [your performance as Lex]. It’s the best, yeah. You did inhabit him with such depth and charm. That ability to switch, which makes him dangerous and formidable and a great opponent. I just love what you did,” said the former X-Men performer.
