James Gunn Posts First ‘Superman: Legacy’ Cast Photo After Table Read, Nicholas Hoult Debuts His Shaved Head as Lex Luthor

The cast of James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy” has officially assembled in Atlanta, where the group got together for a table read ahead of production. The writer-director marked the occasion by sharing to his Instagram the first full photo of the “Superman: Legacy” cast together.

“After the table read with the ‘Superman’ cast,” Gunn wrote in the caption. “Eve, Mr. Terrific, Superman/Clark, Otis, Lex, producer Peter Safran, Jimmy, Metamorpho, Lois, Hawkgirl, me, Guy, The Engineer all together for the first time! What a wonderful day.”

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David Corenswet, a veteran of Ryan Murphy shows such as “Hollywood,” is playing the eponymous superhero opposite “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Fans might notice Nicholas Hoult sporting a shaved head in the photo, which is appropriate given he’s taking on the role of Superman’s infamous villain Lex Luthor. Also in the picture are Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Nathan Fillon (Guy Gardner), Isabela Mercad (Hawkgirl) and more.

Gunn’s “Superman” cast is stacked with comic book characters. Some fans have expressed worry about the film featuring too many superheroes, but the writer-director has stressed that he’s building out a universe and not simply shoehorning in superheroes just for the hell of it. Gunn and Safran are in charge of launching a new DC Universe across film, TV and video games. “Superman: Legacy” is the official start of this universe.

“I call that ‘Cameo Porn’ and it has been one of the worst elements of recent superhero films,” Gunn wrote on Threads last year. “If a character is in film, they have to have a reason to be there story-wise.”

Gunn added, “I don’t mind actual cameos – if it’s a glimpse or a moment, an Easter egg. What bothers me is when they mangle an elegant story by shoehorning characters in – they aren’t there because the story calls for it, but for some other reason.”

“Superman: Legacy” is set to open in theaters July 11, 2025, from Warner Bros.

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