Bill Skarsgård Shuts Down Old Lex Luthor Rumor for James Gunn’s ‘Superman’

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As a seasoned cinephile with decades of film-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that Bill Skarsgård is a versatile actor who has proven his mettle in both villainous and heroic roles. While he’s had a knack for portraying iconic baddies like Pennywise, Count Orlock, and Marquis Vincent de Gramont, it’s high time we see him shine as a protagonist in the DC Universe.

Growing up with a family of accomplished actors, Skarsgård has been no stranger to competition, but he debunked the rumors about his brother Alexander and himself competing for the role of Lex Luthor in Superman. As a fan who’s followed the Skarsgård brothers’ careers, I can attest that they have never competed against each other for any roles – they’ve always supported one another’s successes.

With Nicholas Hoult officially taking on the role of Lex Luthor, it’s now time for Bill to showcase his range as an actor and prove he can play more than just a villain. I believe that Skarsgård would make an excellent Wally West, the Flash, given the recent hints in Creature Commandos. Let’s hope that the DCU embraces exciting directors like Mike Flanagan and Luca Guadagnino to give Skarsgård a meaty role that showcases his talents fully.

Lastly, I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of Bryan Cranston as Lex Luthor because, well, who doesn’t love a good Breaking Bad reference? But let’s not make the same mistake twice and limit Skarsgård to playing villains based on his past roles. After all, he already played a clown once, so why not try something new?

Bill Skarsgård isn’t new to appearing in comic book adaptations; he’s had supporting roles in Deadpool 2 and Eternals, and played the lead in The Crow. However, he clarifies that he didn’t audition for one of DC’s well-known villains as a rumor suggested. Skarsgård has been getting attention lately due to his outstanding portrayal of Count Orlock in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu. Count Orlock is just one of many infamous characters that Skarsgård is known for, with others being Pennywise from It and Marquis Vincent de Gramont in John Wick – Chapter 4. Because of his memorable roles as villains, fans often associate him with such characters. Last year, there were whispers about him joining the DC Universe in James Gunn’s Superman project.

During an interview on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, as reported by The Playlist, Bill Skarsgård clarified rumors from 2023 about him and his brother Alexander competing for the role of Lex Luthor in Superman. He joked, “Not at all! There were rumors that me and Alex were competing, but I was like, ‘Nobody’s contacted me!’ [Laughs]” Bill Skarsgård confirmed he never auditioned or discussed the role with director James Gunn. Furthermore, Bill emphasized that he and his brother Alexander have never competed for a part in their careers.

In June 2023, there were whispers that Bill and Alexander Skarsgård might be in contention for the role of Lex Luthor. Interestingly enough, this speculation arose only a day before it was confirmed that David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan had been selected to portray Superman and Lois Lane respectively. By November 20, 2023, Nicholas Hoult had been officially chosen to play Lex Luthor, having previously auditioned for the Superman role. Coincidentally, Hoult currently shares the screen with Skarsgård in the film “Nosferatu,” which has recently made a strong impact on the box office.

Bill Skarsgård Can Be More Than a Villain

Considering Bill Skarsgård’s rising fame, especially for his role as a villain, it’s easy to understand why fans are eager to see him portray one of DC Comics’ memorable antagonists. With Andy Muschietti, director of It and It Chapter Two, leading The Brave and the Bold, some have wished for Skarsgård to be cast as the Joker in the DC Universe. However, while Skarsgård would undoubtedly excel in this role, it seems a bit repetitive. The notion that he played one sinister clown character in Pennywise and should therefore play another in the Joker is reminiscent of the thought process that led fans to believe Bryan Cranston should portray Lex Luthor because he had already played an evil bald man on Breaking Bad.

As a long-time fan of Scandinavian cinema and a devotee of Alexander Skarsgård’s versatile acting skills, I firmly believe that he would thrive in the DC Universe, especially with visionary directors like Mike Flanagan and Luca Guadagnino at the helm. Having seen him subvert audience expectations in movies like “Barbarian” where he played against type as a villain, I can imagine him perfectly portraying Wally West, whose version of The Flash was recently hinted at in “Creature Commandos.”

Although his previous stint as a superhero in “The Crow” didn’t turn out as planned, I remain hopeful that he would be eager to re-enter the DCU sandbox. However, given his limited screen time in Marvel’s “Eternals,” I fervently hope that if he gets another chance, it will be for a more substantial role this time around. Let’s give Skarsgård a meatier part that showcases his exceptional talent and leaves audiences in awe.

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2024-12-31 01:03