Actor Jacob Elordi Says He Rejected ‘Superman: Legacy’ Opportunity Because It Was “Too Dark” For Him

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five (2016), DC

Actor Jacob Elordi who plays Elvis in Priscilla as well as Nate Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria recently explained he rejected an opportunity to play Superman in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy film because it was “too dark” for him.

THE KISSING BOOTH 3 (2021) Jacob Elordi as Noah and Joey King as Elle. Cr: Marcos Cruz/NETFLIX

Speaking with GQ, Elordi stated, “Well, they asked me to read for Superman. That was immediately, ‘No, thank you.’ That’s too much. That’s too dark for me.”

It’s unclear what Elordi means by “too dark.” It’s possible the film portrays a very dark and ugly view of humanity. The film’s official synopsis seemingly hints at that.

It states, “Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.”

The idea that the world “sees kindness as old-fashioned” could hint that many of the characters are quite cruel and there could be graphic depictions of that cruelty portrayed on the screen.

Injustice: Gods Among Us #10 (DC), 2014

Not only did Elordi reveal that the part was too dark for him, but he also detailed he has no interested in doing superhero movies.

He explained, “Not particularly, no. I’ve always been told to say a rounded answer or my agent will get mad at me. ‘Anything can happen! And obviously anything can happen, but at this stage in my life, I don’t see myself having any interest in that.”

The actor elaborated, “I like to make what I would watch, and I get very restless watching those movies.”

Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs in Euphoria (2022), HBO

While Elordi refused to read for the role of Superman, David Corenswet did not. He was officially cast by DC and James Gunn to play the role of Clark Kent and Superman in the upcoming film.

He’s joined by Rachel Brosnahan, who play Lois Lane. Other members of the cat include: Nathan Fillion as the Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabel Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.

Superman Vol. 2 #53 “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” (1991), DC Comics. Cover art by Jerry Ordway

According to the film’s director James Gunn, the film’s “primary story most definitely revolves around Superman and Lois” despite the crowded cast of other superheroes.

Gunn explained, “We’re entering a world where superheroes exist and have existed for quite a while. They’re a part of one side of [Superman’s] world just like Lois and Jimmy are a part of another.”

James Gunn Threads

Gunn also detailed back in March the film will explore “Superman’s heritage – how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes.”

James Gunn Twitter

What do you make of Elordi’s comments about Superman: Legacy being “too dark?”

NEXT: Leaked Descriptions Of ‘Superman: Legacy’ Concept Art Allegedly Provides Details For Brainiac, Jor-El, Jimmy Olsen, And A Supersuit with Tights

Share: 
Mentioned This Article:

More About: