Marvel Star Anson Mount Reveals He Was Offered A Big Role At DCU

Actors jumping ship from Marvel to DC is no longer a new thing, especially now that former MCU director James Gunn is DC Studios' new creative chief.

Anson Mount is known for his MCU character Black Bolt in the Inhumans series, and he recently reprised the role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022.

Mount recently revealed to the Talk Ville podcast that he was offered to play one of DC’s famous villains, Lex Luthor in Smallville before he even became the ruler of Attilan.

“Michael, don't you remember this? Back when you got the role, you were telling me, 'I'm doing this Superman thing; I'm playing Lex Luthor.' We were on the phone or something.' [I said] 'Oh my god, they offered that to me!'” Mount recalled.

“It just came out; I wasn't thinking. It was the stupidest, most insensitive thing to say that I have ever said. I honestly can't recall. My representatives really didn't want me to shave my head, but that didn't really bother me. I honestly can't remember why.” he narrated.

Smallville debuted in 2001, and it was one of the first live-action series to depict an inexperienced Clark Kent learning to harness his powers long before donning the Superman outfit.

The series lasted ten seasons and was hugely successful because of Lex and Clark’s friendship, which turned into animosity.

ALSO READ: James Gunn Regrets Not Giving Dave Bautista’s Drax This Comic Feature

Now that Gunn is doing Superman: Legacy, fans are not just excited to know who’s going to play the Man of Steel, but one of the nemeses of the hero as well.

Lex Luthor has been a topic of online conversation after Hollywood actors Bradley Cooper, Nicholas Hoult, and Dave Bautista were reportedly in talks to play the supervillain.

Bautista has recently debunked the rumors that he had conversations with the filmmaker about assuming the role.

While Cooper was believed to have turned down the DC villain, he still has to publicly state it.

Gunn previously said that he had already handed over the first draft of Superman: Legacy; the production has entered its early stages, and the casting process is in progress as well.

Superman: Legacy premieres July 11, 2025.