Reddit Picks Perfect Superman: Legacy Villain, but Will Gunn Go There?

After Henry Cavill 's unceremonious departure, the role will be cast to a new actor – the fourth theatrical version of Superman since the 1970s. Each of those actors squared off against Lex Luthor, but which classic Superman villain should be featured in Legacy? Fans took to Reddit to discuss the possibilities.

One of the most popular ideas is Parasite – a lesser-known villain created by 14-year-old Jim Shooter in 1966.

Raymond Maxwell Jensen turned into Parasite when he opened a storage container at a research center, thinking payrolls were hidden inside. He was blasted by energy from materials that Superman had previously brought back from space. His skin turned purple and he developed the ability to steal powers and knowledge from anyone he touched – even Superman.

Fans were excited at the notion of a young Superman getting his powers stolen by Parasite in his first movie, with Clark Kent needing to use his wits to defeat the enemy. Outside of his massive powers, Jensen has a compelling arc that would work on screen. His abilities caused him a great deal of pain in his life, as he know he'll never be able to hold his children or his wife again. He's also one of the few villains who knows Superman's secret identity, making him a worthy adversary.

Fan Art of Elizabeth Olsen and Henry Cavill in HotD is Stunning, Too Bad it's Not Happening

Several different characters have taken the title of Parasite – Jensen, Rudy Jones, Alex and Alexandra Allston, and Joshua Allen. A few have even appeared on DC projects in the past. Jones was featured in the late '90s animated series and on the teen drama Smallville. Jones and Allston have appeared in the CW's Arrowverse.

A few other villains were mentioned by hopeful fans. Many wanted Brainiac – one of Superman's greatest villains who's rarely been seen in live action. Others said Metallo – a cyborg with a kryptonite heart.

Lex Luthor has been an iconic movie villain, genre aside, because he's grounded and realistic. He's an evil billionaire that the everyman can fear, and isn't too absurd to turn away a general audience. For years, superhero movies tried to make their villains (and heroes) as realistic as possible.

But the past decade has proven that, so long as they're developed properly, fans will take kindly to absurd, unrealistic villains. Twenty years ago, the proposition of Thanos in a high-profile movie would have sounded impossible.

With whatever villain DC picks for Superman: Legacy, fans will be content as long as they're semi-comic accurate, have a developed personality and motivation, and are more than a CGI monster. In other words: The opposite of Joss Whedon's Steppenwolf.