If you've been following the Man of Steel buzz for the last couple of days, and even while out here at Disney I've been keeping track, then you may have heard some rumors stirred up by screenwriter David Goyer about the possibility of Lex Luthor appearing in the film. Superman's arch-nemesis has been mentioned as a possibility in the past, with Bradley Cooper rumored at one point, but most of that was quieted with Michael Shannon coming aboard as General Zod. However, this being a Christopher Nolan-produced film, nothing is quite as it seems and information is tough to come by.
Only proceed further if you don't mind having a major aspect of Man of Steel spoiled!
AICN did a little digging, tapping into their sources, and have learned that Luthor will be turning up in the film, and it won't be a mere cameo appearance. Described as "ambitious, ego driven and cold", the role is said to be a substantial one, which makes it interesting to see how he fits in with Zod also in the picture. Are they a team? Or will Luthor seek to exploit Zod for personal gain?
As for who will be playing him, it will be Mackenzie Gray, who some will remember as Dr. Alistaire Krieg on Smallville. He then played a Lex Luthor clone in season 10, which many would have seen as the source maybe getting his information mixed up if Gray didn't confirm it himself in this video. He certainly looked the part a couple of years ago...
This could all just be misdirection coming out of Camp Nolan, but right now it all seems to make sense. Or is it all just a little too neat and perfect? If you'll recall Marion Cotillard's Miranda Tate role in The Dark Knight Rises, fans had figured out she may be Talia al Ghul early on, but no confirmation ever came from Nolan or Warner Bros. Man of Steel opens in theaters on June 14th, where we'll find out the truth once and for all.
