Warning! This submit comprises SPOILERS for James Gunn’s Superman
James Gunn’s Superman simply gave us among the finest live-action variations of Lex Luthor. The traditional arch-foe to the Man of Metal, no DC villain hates Superman greater than Metropolis’ resident genius billionaire. As such, the DCU’s latest model of the arch-foe is really a sight to behold.
One in all Superman’s biggest strengths is how a lot it looks like a comic book ebook come to life. Audiences are thrown into a longtime universe, one the place the rivalry between Lex Luthor and Superman has already been lively for a while. As such, the DCU’s Lex Luthor is one in all Superman’s strongest performances, one of the best model of the traditional DC villain we have had since 1978’s Superman: The Film.
Nicholas Hoult Performs Lex Luthor In James Gunn’s Superman
Already Harboring A Main Grudge In opposition to The Man of Metal
In James Gunn’s Superman, Lex Luthor’s grasp plan to kill Superman is effectively underway by the point the film opens. Nonetheless, audiences are rapidly introduced on top of things. Performed by Nicholas Hoult, Lex Luthor is as clever as he’s crafty, a prerequisite trait for any good depiction of the traditional DC foe. Fortunately, Hoult pulls each off with relative ease.
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It turns into abundantly clear that the DCU’s Lex Luthor will cease at nothing to finish Superman. All through the film, Luthor frequently believes he is 12 chess strikes forward, having labored out all of the supposed angles at the same time as he is warned by his “inferiors” that his plans are falling aside. Hoult’s Luthor is relentless, unwilling to permit Metropolis and the world to adore Superman when he feels he is earned it.
The DCU’s Lex Luthor Is The Most Comedian-Correct Model We have Had In Years
In Each Look And Character
Not solely does Hoult completely look the a part of Lex Luthor, however he totally embodies all the things DC followers would need to see. Whereas he does make the function his personal, Hoult additionally echoes the late Gene Hackman’s iconic efficiency as Lex Luthor within the Superman motion pictures reverse Christopher Reeve. That is very true when Hoult’s Luthor triumphantly declares, “Brains over Brawn!” as his superpowered enforcers frequently beat the Man of Metal.
“The DCU’s Lex Luthor is really cruel in each motion and calculation…”
The psychology of Hoult’s Luthor can also be on level. In a monologue worthy of the DC Comics web page, Lex acknowledges his deep jealousy of Superman and all of his inherent energy, particularly after all the things Luthor believes he is achieved for Metropolis and the world at giant. Regardless of recognizing it as a flaw, Luthor confirms he is decided to make it a power.
In Superman’s third act, Lex claims he is made his envy his “calling”. He is dedicated to this darkish goal, which leads to orchestrating a grand-scale plan that will have allowed him to kill Superman (whereas nonetheless being beloved). In consequence, the DCU’s Lex Luthor is really cruel in each motion and calculation.
Will We See Lex Luthor Once more In The DCU?
There’s So A lot Potential For The Superman Villain
It is refreshing to see such a devoted efficiency from Nicholas Hoult in James Gunn’s Superman, together with a number of the extra distinctive traits not seen on display earlier than, like Luthor changing into more and more unhinged with rage as his plans unravel. Whereas Luthor is in the end stopped by the ending of Superman, the hope is that the Man of Metal’s arch-foe has solely simply begun within the new DCU.
“Essentially the most thrilling factor to come back out of Superman by way of Lex Luthor’s DCU future is the truth that he cannot actually conceal anymore…”
On the finish of Superman, it is confirmed that Luthor is being taken to Belle Reve, the maximum-security jail run by Amanda Waller and ARGUS. This does open the door for some thrilling future prospects, particularly if Waller decides she needs to utilize Luthor’s genius not directly. Likewise, will probably be fascinating to see how Luthor would possibly study from this primary main scheme in opposition to Superman.
Maybe Luthor could attempt to get his arms dirtier in the way forward for the DCU. For instance, he may construct his personal warsuit like within the comics and tackle Superman himself. We may additionally see Lex try to run for president like he does on the web page, although which may be more durable now that he is been uncovered by the Each day Planet.
Essentially the most thrilling factor to come back out of Superman by way of Lex Luthor’s DCU future is the truth that he cannot actually conceal anymore. The world now is aware of simply how evil he’s with all the things he tried to do within the hopes of killing Superman. He additionally tried to assert his very personal nation by aiding Boravia and their invasion of Jarhanpur.
Certain, cash talks and Lex will probably nonetheless have some affect through his firm. Even so, shedding the majority of the love he had from the world could very effectively be the factor that makes the DCU’s Lex Luthor much more harmful in future motion pictures. At any fee, I believe it is fairly secure to say that Nicholas Hoult is one of the best live-action Lex Luthor we have had in a long time, and that he is hopefully simply getting began.
James Gunn’s Superman is now enjoying in theaters from DC Studios.
Superman
9/10
- Launch Date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 Minutes
- Producers
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Lars P. Winther, Peter Safran