This post potentially features major spoilers from Man of Steel, so if you don’t want to take the risk you should probably turn away now…
We already know that Henry Cavill’s Superman is going to have his hands full when he goes up against General Zod (Michael Shannon) and Faora (Antje Traue) in this summer’s Man of Steel, while there’s been talk that fellow Kryptonian bad guys Tor-An (Richard Cetrone) and Dev-Em (Revard Dufresne) could also be set to make an appearance. However, one iconic Superman villain who its been assumed would be absent from the Zack Snyder-directed reboot is that of Kal-El’s ultimate nemesis Lex Luthor. Well, it seems that might not be the case after all…
Earlier this week screenwriter David S. Goyer teased the possibility an appearance from Luthor when he stated that “I don’t think anyone has ever confirmed that we haven’t included him.” Now Aint It Cool News are claiming to have received confirmation from a source stating not only that Lex Luthor will be featured (in what they’re suggesting will be a “third act reveal”), but also the identity of the actor playing him:
So, according to AICN, Luthor will be portrayed by little-known Canadian actor Mackenzie Gray, who previously featured as a clone of Lex Luthor in Smallville, as well as lending his voice to Obadiah Stane in the animated series Iron Man: Armored Adventures. His other roles include bit parts in the likes of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Alcatraz, Fringe and Once Upon a Time. And it’s not just the Smallville link and bald head that’s drew them to this conclusion either, with Gray confirming his involvement with Man of Steel in this video from November 2012:
Now, we should bear in mind that Noah was still a lad the last time one of Ain’t It Cool News’ scoops turned out to be true, but there does appear to be some evidence to support this latest claim. Of course, there’s also a chance Gray could be playing “Man at Hot Dog Stand #2” or some other blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role, but I guess we’ll find out either way when Man of Steel opens on June 14th.
Originally published March 29, 2013. Updated April 10, 2018.
