Superman star Nicholas Hoult has revealed some of the things that have inspired his version of Lex Luthor as well as his love for Smallville‘s take on the DC character.
While speaking with Michael Rosenbaum on his Inside Of You podcast, Hoult revealed that Rosenbaum’s portrayal of Lex Luthor on Smallville was the first version of the character he ever saw. He then praised Rosenbaum’s take on the villain and the “depth and charm” he brought to the role.
“I think the first ever Lex I saw was you,” Hoult stated (via Collider). “Yeah, I grew up when Smallville was on, I can’t remember if it was Channel 4 or Channel 5 in the UK, but like growing up. I was like 11, 12, I guess. And so that was like the show that I would watch and see my first iterations of Superman and Lex and all those stories. Since I’ve seen Richard Donner’s movies and all the other ones and kind of seen some of the other performances, but you’re like the one. I love [your portrayal], it’s the best …You inhabit him with such depth and charm. And then … that ability to switch, which makes him dangerous and formidable and a great opponent. I just loved what you did.”
Hoult also delved into how the iconic comic run All-Star Superman has influenced him, as he began to work out for the role thanks to a line Luthor says in the comic.
“I have been working out,” he revealed. “No, you know what, there’s that bit in All-Star Superman where he talks about his muscles being real and like hard work and all that. I kind of took that as a little bit of like fuel for the fire.”
What is Superman about?
“Superman 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.”
