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Chris Meloni Is Playing a General in Superman, Not Lex Luthor

Don’t let the bald head fool you: Christopher Meloni, the latest star linked to Zack Snyder’s Superman movie Man of Steel, will not be playing villain Lex Luthor (as some online fans have speculated). When Vulture caught up with the now ex–Law & Order: SVU star at the Public Theater Gala earlier this week, he told us he’d be instead playing a general in the movie. But when we pressed for more information about the role, he said, “I can’t tell you, or I’d have to kill you.” We did manage to learn that he starts filming at the end of August and he’ll shoot his part over the course of five months in locations including Chicago, Vancouver, and Edwards Air Force Base.

As for how he feels about his departure from Law & Order: SVU after twelve seasons, he told us, “I feel very blessed to have been a part of it … I loved the people, every person. I loved going to work. And yet with all that, we did the best we could to try to make things work for everyone, and in the end it was just better for me to keep moving and I have no regrets.” How does his co-star Mariska Hargitay feel about it? “I think she’s a little sad, as am I. You know, I don’t know if there’s been any other duo for twelve years on TV.”

Chris Meloni Is Playing a General in Superman, Not Lex Luthor