Superman is making waves as director James Gunn clarifies the casting process for Lex Luthor. Rumors had circulated that he initially wanted a big Guardians of the Galaxy star for the iconic villain’s role before eventually settling on Nicholas Hoult. That star, as it turns out, was none other than Bradley Cooper, who ultimately stepped in as Jor-El, Superman’s father.
The journey of Jor-El has a rich cinematic history, dating back to Nelson Leigh’s portrayal in the 1948 Superman film serial, followed by legendary performances from Marlon Brando and Russell Crowe. Cooper now adds his name to this prestigious lineage, but it wasn’t part of Gunn’s original vision. In his appearance on Happy Sad Confused with Josh Horowitz, Gunn remarked, “I did talk to Bradley about it. We had a short conversation and at the end,… I did want Lex to be someone that was more [a] contemporary of Superman’s.”
Gunn emphasized the essential nature of Lex Luthor’s character in the Superman narrative, stating, “Lex Luthor is important to Superman” and to the broader DC universe. He believed a younger actor would establish a more dynamic rivalry, thus highlighting the deep-seated envy Lex has for Superman. Although Cooper may not have landed the role of Lex, his casting as Jor-El showcases both his immense talent and star power:
I needed somebody who could play Jor-El — and I don’t think this is a spoiler, everybody knows about this — who had the stature of what we imagine that character being, somebody who could walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando.
It’s interesting that while Gunn deemed Cooper a tad older for Lex, he found him fitting for Jor-El, suggesting the character should be younger. He noted, “A lot of times, Jor-El is played by a 70-year-old man and that means he was 70 when he had a baby, so I wanted somebody that wasn’t too old.”
Although Gunn was concerned about casting actors who might be too mature for the roles, Cooper’s cameo was a delightful surprise for fans, injecting high-profile gravitas into the film. While it’s true that all previous portrayals of Jor-El were middle-aged, with Cooper being 50 at the time of filming, the nuance in age dynamics adds layers to the characters. Cooper’s brief stint as Jor-El was refreshing, even as we see Hoult stepping into Lex Luthor’s shoes with considerable power and potential.
As excitement builds for the upcoming Superman, the overall landscape of the DC universe is poised for a fresh start. Whether Cooper as Jor-El or Hoult as Lex, there’s an awesome energy swirling around this new chapter. Fans can’t help but feel optimistic about this casting direction. With Gunn’s keen insights, it appears the future is bright for Superman and his epic battles ahead. Don’t forget to keep an eye on what Oppenheimer has to offer, as it too showcases the evolution we’re witnessing in modern cinema.