6 actors who could replace Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor in the DC Universe

2. Cameron Monaghan

When you think Lex, Cameron Monaghan doesn’t come to mind, but he should. Monaghan is a 29-year-old actor who has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to play the most notorious of villains.

Most people know him from Shameless where he showed his range as Ian Gallagher, a dramatic role that required depth and emotional nuance.

With Lex Luthor, Monaghan would have the opportunity to bring a unique interpretation to the iconic villain. Imagine a younger Luthor, just starting to make a name for himself in the world of business and politics, but with an air of menace that makes it clear he’s not to be underestimated. Monaghan’s physicality and presence on screen make him a perfect fit for the role of the brilliant, manipulative Luthor.

It’s worth noting that Monaghan isn’t a stranger to comic book adaptations. He also played the characters of Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska, two villainous characters inspired by the Joker, in the series Gotham. His performance was so well received that the showrunners eventually revealed that Jeremiah was, in fact, the real Joker. With that kind of experience under his belt, it’s clear that Monaghan has the chops to take on another complex comic book character like Lex Luthor.

In the end, Monaghan would make an excellent Lex Luthor, given he’s got the range to bring the character to life in a way that audiences have never seen before. Furthermore, Monaghan is a rising star who deserves his shot at playing another one of the greatest villains in comic book history.