With James Gunn’s upcoming movie Superman: Legacy, rumors are swirling that the director is set to recast Lex Luthor, as well as other key Superman characters, for his take on the iconic character.

The Importance Of Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor is a staple character in the Superman universe, and any retelling of the story will have to include him. It’s understandable that some might want a new villain to challenge Superman, but Luthor is so ingrained in the character’s mythology that he can never truly be replaced.

Superman: Legacy Bringing A New Lex Luthor

According to industry insider Jeff Sneider, Gunn’s film will feature Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Lex Luthor. This means that another recast is on the way, following Jesse Eisenberg’s big-screen portrayal of the villain in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The Interpretation Of Lex Luthor

James Gunn has stated that he wants to avoid redoing any previous Superman adaptations, so it’s likely that any portrayal of Lex Luthor will be a unique take on the character. Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Luthor was disliked by some fans, but was also relevant to the current times. It’s possible that Gunn will lean in the same direction, but make some adjustments to make it more palatable to audiences.

It’s unclear whether Gunn will opt for a younger Lex Luthor, or stick with the middle-aged, savvy businessman archetype that is most commonly associated with the character.

What’s At Stake

A lot is riding on this new Superman film for both James Gunn and Warner Bros. as a whole, so they’re no doubt taking everything into consideration. If Shazam doesn’t carry over to this new DCU, perhaps Zachary Levi could take a stab at Luthor, something that was already snatched away from him once. However, neither Warner Bros. nor DC Studios have confirmed this rumor, so fans will have to wait to find out who will play the iconic villain.