Fresh off his latest portrayal of Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Bradley Cooper has apparently turned down a substantial Superman: Legacy part — the role of Lex Luthor.
Was Bradley Cooper offered the role of Lex Luthor in Superman: Legacy?
According to insider @MyTimeToShineH, Cooper was offered the role of the iconic Superman villain by Superman: Legacy director James Gunn, though the actor turned it down. The original rumor was simply that Gunn spoke to a Guardians of the Galaxy cast member about the part, furthering the director’s previous statement that his Superman movie would have members of the Guardians of the Galaxy cast.
In the comics, Lex Luthor stands alongside characters like Brainiac and Doomsday as one of Superman’s most famous and iconic villains. Previous actors who portrayed Luthor include Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, Michael Rosenbaum, Jesse Eisenberg, and Clancy Brown.
“Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas,” reads the movie’s official synopsis. “He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.”
Superman: Legacy is set to premiere in theaters on July 11, 2025.
