Nicholas Hoult Earns Highest Salary in Superman Cast

In James Gunn’s 2025 Superman film, Nicholas Hoult, portraying the villain Lex Luthor, received the highest salary of $2 million, significantly more than David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, who earned $750,000 each for playing Superman and Lois Lane respectively. Hoult's higher pay is attributed to his extensive experience in the comic book genre, including his role as Beast in the X-Men franchise, as well as his award nominations and established Hollywood career. This pay disparity echoes the 1978 Superman film where Gene Hackman, playing Lex Luthor, earned much more than Christopher Reeve, the lead. The film's $225 million budget and Gunn’s strategic casting choices emphasize talent and experience over traditional leading roles for salary decisions. Brosnahan and Corenswet bring impressive resumes, but Corenswet remains relatively new compared to Hoult. This salary structure illustrates a shift in Hollywood’s approach to superhero casting and compensation, focusing on proven track records and marketability.