Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet and their true bromance

Every legendary superhero needs a brilliant nemesis to challenge them. That’s the essence of any Superman story, and in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy, Nicholas Hoult steps into the shoes of the genius villain Lex Luthor, following memorable portrayals by Kevin Spacey and Jesse Eisenberg.

While David Corenswet dons the iconic cape to face off against him on screen, their off-screen dynamic tells a surprisingly different tale.

It seems Superman’s charm works even on his arch-nemesis. Nicholas Hoult recently opened up about sharing a tender moment with David Corenswet and his wife’s amusing take on the situation.

During a chat on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Nicholas Hoult revealed a sweet personal anecdote involving a conversation with his wife, Bryana Holly. She mentioned how comforting it must feel to be embraced by someone larger, noting that Hoult rarely experiences that sensation himself. Holly playfully suggested, “David could hold you.” Taking her suggestion to heart, Hoult approached David Corenswet for a hug and later described it as feeling “it felt warm and safe.”

Dax Shepard chimed in with his own amusing tale, recounting an encounter with basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal at a Westwood premiere. Shepard boldly joked from behind, asking O’Neal to move so he could be the tallest person there. O’Neal, recognizing him, turned around and spontaneously lifted him like a baby—a memorable moment that still brings laughter to Shepard. The conversation then shifted as Hoult reflected on why David Corenswet was destined to be the perfect Superman.

Nicholas Hoult, who was once considered for the role of Superman himself, shared his thoughts on why David Corenswet, who received guidance from Henry Cavill, ultimately proved to be the ideal choice for the iconic role, and why he believes the cape found its perfect bearer.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Nicholas Hoult shared a memorable moment from his Superman audition experience alongside David Corenswet.

After completing what he felt was a strong scene, Hoult turned a corner to find Corenswet basking in sunlight, what he humorously described as “charging up from the sun.” Taking in Corenswet’s impressive jawline, commanding voice, and towering stature, Hoult admitted that their handshake left him convinced this man was destined to be Superman.

The Emmy-nominated actor reflected on that unforgettable encounter, sharing that Corenswet looked so perfectly suited for Superman that his initial reaction was simply, “what the f—.” Corenswet also recalled the surreal experience of meeting someone he admired while they both wore the iconic suit.

He later expressed that Nicholas Hoult taking on the role of Lex Luthor was the best possible outcome for the film. That chance meeting sparked a playful dynamic that would later include Hoult describing his experience of hugging Superman.

Check out more photos from the LA premiere of Superman