Man of Steel: Nicholas Hoult stuns as Superman in jaw-dropping image

As DC begins looking for its next Superman, Nicholas Hoult has emerged as a possible candidate for the role among fans — which is more than understandable!

Superman is one of the most iconic and recognizable characters in the world of comic books, and his legacy within DC Comics is immeasurable. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the Man of Steel first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Superman was the first superhero and paved the way for an entire genre of comic book characters.

Superman’s timeless appeal lies in his enduring themes of hope, truth, and justice. He is a symbol of what humanity can aspire to be, a hero who fights for the greater good, and a defender of the innocent. He has faced numerous challenges over the years, but his unwavering commitment to doing what is right has never wavered.

The legacy of Superman in DC Comics is that of a hero who represents the best of humanity, a symbol of hope and inspiration, and a cultural icon whose impact will be felt for generations to come. Whether it’s through his comic book adventures, his appearances in other media, or his influence on other characters, the Man of Steel is in a league of his own.

Much like Batman, Superman is a key stable within DC Comics and will once again be a key part of the franchise’s next chapter. James Gunn is already hard at work on a new Superman film set to release on July 11, 2025.

Fans are eager to see what the next chapter of Superman’s time on the big screen will hold, and they’re already tossing out names of actors who they’d like to see suit up as the Man of Steel. Among those who have entered the mix is Nicholas Hoult, who is no stranger to the superhero franchise. 

What Nicholas Hoult could look like as Superman

With DC moving away from Henry Cavill’s Superman, it will look to bring in a younger actor to suit up as one of its most iconic heroes. The role is one that is sure to be highly sought after and it’s already set the internet ablaze with speculation over who should play the role.

Among the names which have been tossed out in some circles is actor Nicholas Hoult, who of course formerly played a Marvel hero in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men franchise. Perhaps it’s Hoult’s connection to that franchise that has made him the current frontrunner or perhaps it’s simply because he definitely fits the part.

With rumors running rampant, Bam Smack Pow in-house artist Marvel & DC Fan Art ran with the rumors circulating to offer up a spin on what Hoult could look like in the role.

In the stunning concept art, Hoult is transformed into the Man of Steel with the artist clearly drawing inspiration from Cavill’s Superman. While the art is merely a concept designed to showcase what Hoult could look like in the role if DC were to cast him as Superman, it definitely helps to paint a picture and make it clear to see why his name is being floated out by many fans.

And there is no denying Hoult definitely ticks off several boxes when it comes to matching the comic book appearance of the character. Like Superman’s comic book counterpart, Hoult is 6’3. He also happens to have darker hair (though not quite as dark as Superman’s black locks) and piercing blue eyes, both a staple for the character. Plus, Hoult is already in great shape and likely would have no problem bulking up for the physically demanding role if given the challenge.

Has James Gunn cast DC’s new Superman?

At this time, James Gunn has not yet cast the role of Superman for his upcoming Superman movie. However, with the film scheduled to release in July 2025, it seems likely that DC will need to cast the role for Superman Legacy sooner rather than later.

Marvel’s Fantastic Four is also set to release in 2025 and is expected to begin production in early 2024, one would assume DC would likely need to follow a similar timeline for its new Superman film. With this in mind, one would assume that DC would look to cast the title role of its new film sometime this year.

If the studio were to announce who will be playing Superman this year, the biggest platform they’d have for doing so would come at San Diego Comic-Con. SDCC has long been used by major studios such as Marvel and DC to announce major news connected to its biggest franchises including casting announcements and first looks at upcoming movies and shows.

Of course, there is always a chance James Gunn could also surprise us by announcing the news on social media or at another event. And there’s also no guarantee DC will reveal the news this year, but we’d honestly be shocked if DC were to make us wait beyond 2023 for the big reveal.

Would you like to see Jacob Elordi play Superman in the new film James Gunn is developing? If not Elordi, who would you like to play Superman next? Share your casting picks in the comments below!