The news ofGene Hackman’s death saw tributes from all generations of Hollywood pouring over the last week, and one of the latest comes from the actor who had the impossible task of taking over one of Hackman’s best-known roles.Michael Rosenbaumstarred asSupermanvillain Lex Luthor in the TV seriesSmallville, decades after Hackman made the part iconic with his performance in Christopher Reeves’ comic book movies. In a personal tribute, the actor shared an image of a poster signed by Hackman, citing him as “the second best Lex Luthor.”
Hackman and his wife were discovered at their hometowards the end of last week, and while the investigation into their death is still being investigated, the tragic news hit many Hollywood stars, and fans of Hackman’s huge legacy of work, really hard. For Rosenbaum, there was a connection of a different kind to many, and he touchingly flipped Hackman’s words in his tribute on X. Rosenbaum wrote:
“To my favorite Lex Luthor and one of the all time greatest actors ever! RIP.”
A New Lex Luthor Is About to Rise in James Gunn’s ‘Superman’
There are very few who would argue with the ranking of Hackman and Rosenbaum as the respective best versions of Superman’s archvillain. Others to have played the role include Kevin Spacey, alongsideBrandon Routh’s underrated turn as the DC hero, and Jesse Eisenberg, who played him in Zack Snyder’s divisive DC movies. Now, a new challenger for the Luthor crown is coming this summer in the form ofNosferatustar Nicholas Hoult.
Hoult is the latest to take on the role of Luthor and will come up against David Corenswet’s Man of Steel in the first live-action movie of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU. Appearing in trailers as the classic bald version of the character, and seems to be bringing a brutal take on the character to life following Eisenberg’s disappointing iteration.
While previously discussing his upcoming role last year with Rosenbaum on theInside of Youpodcast, Hoult explained how Rosenbaum’s Smallville Luthor was the first he ever saw on screen.
“I grew up… I think the first ever Lex I saw was you […] And since [Smallville], I’ve like seen Richard Donner’s [Superman] movies, and kind of seen some of the other performances. But you’re like… the one.”
In subsequent teasers for his upcoming role, Hoult played it cool when downplaying how good his Luthor can be, but he has said that the character will hopefully be “something special.” He said:
“I think it’s a little too early to say what’s different about my Lex Luthor. You know I just loved working with James Gunn. I think he’s an incredible director and has such a great sense of that world, that story, those characters. I just put my trust in him. I’m a fan of Superman and Lex Luthor as a character, so hopefully we’ve done something special with it that people enjoy.”
