Nicholas Hoult and Ralph Ineson hilariously banter over their supervillain roles, sparking a humorous Lex Luthor rivalry.
Ralph Ineson recently teased Nicholas Hoult by claiming his portrayal of Galactus will surpass Hoult’s Lex Luthor as the ultimate villain, sparking a playful rivalry between the two actors. This exchange unfolded as both stars, who first worked together on Nosferatu, now feature prominently in major franchises—the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for Ineson and the DC Universe (DCU) for Hoult. Their friendly banter highlights the spirited competition between their iconic characters.
Ineson described the amusing exchange in a recent interview, sharing how he sent Hoult a social media post praising Hoult’s performance as the greatest superhero villain ever. He coupled that message with a cheeky “Hold my beer” challenge, teasing the X-Men: Days of Future Past actor about who reigns supreme in villainy. Given Hoult’s role as Lex Luthor in the latest Superman film and Ineson’s upcoming turn as Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the jab felt both fitting and lighthearted.
Nicholas Hoult Responds with Humor to Ralph Ineson’s Villainous Taunts
Hoult’s reaction to Ineson’s playful trolling was equally entertaining. He laughed off the initial jibe before pointing out the obvious power imbalance between their characters, stating,
“It’s hardly fair. You’re a cosmic entity; I’m just a guy.”
—Nicholas Hoult
Ineson didn’t back down, reminding Hoult of the stakes his character faces, replying,
Image of: Nicholas Hoult
“Fair enough, but I am fighting four of them.”
—Ralph Ineson
The exchange took a humorous turn when Hoult joked about a personal vulnerability, saying,
“But I get an upset tummy when I eat spicy food.”
—Nicholas Hoult
Reflecting on their back-and-forth, Ineson admitted he believes Hoult might have conceded the competition, telling The Hollywood Reporter,
“I think he’s given up on the man-on-demigod battle.”
—Ralph Ineson
This conversation offers a glimpse into their camaraderie while playfully debating who embodies the more formidable villain.
Ralph Ineson Describes Landing the Role of Galactus as Exceptionally Rare
Beyond the friendly rivalry, Ineson also shared insights about securing the role of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He expressed surprise over how smoothly the casting process unfolded, saying,
“On this scale, it’s bizarrely rare. To get a role like this, I would’ve expected to tape and screen test for a while.”
—Ralph Ineson
He added that most of the cast experiences were similar, involving only a brief meeting with director Matt Shakman and a quick confirmation of the role:
“a brief meeting with Matt and confirmation a few days later that they’d like you to play the part.”
—Ralph Ineson
For Ineson, known for steadily building his career over many years, landing a major cosmic character like Galactus so effortlessly was unexpected, especially when compared to the typical lengthy audition rounds. Although he receives roles regularly nowadays, he noted,
“they’re not usually of this magnitude.”
—Ralph Ineson
Upcoming Releases and the Heightened Anticipation for Both Villains
Both actors have recently risen to prominence after their acclaimed performances in Nosferatu led to these major villainous parts. While Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor has already debuted in theaters with Superman, Ineson’s depiction of Galactus remains to be seen when The Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres on July 25, 2025.
Their playful debate continues to captivate fans who enjoy comparing the two adversaries. Whether Galactus will truly eclipse Lex Luthor as the ultimate supervillain depends on the upcoming film’s reception, but the spirited rivalry between Ineson and Hoult is sure to add further excitement to the franchises they represent.
