James Gunn’s Superman introduced cinema’s latest tackle the Man of Metal to life within the DC Universe, with David Corenswet portraying the long-lasting superhero. One of many informal nods to different Superman media that influenced Gunn’s 2025 installment was Smallville, particularly in relation to the DCU’s Lex Luthor, with Nicholas Hoult’s iteration operating LuthorCorp, which originated from The WB/CW drama.
Gunn responded on Threads after sharing a submit from the Man of Tomorrow artwork division, with Stephen Blackehart’s Sydney Happersen sporting a shirt with LuthorCorp on it. The person shared how they had been relieved concerning the DCU going with that branding as an alternative of LexCorp:
Gunn acknowledged, “Thank Smallville!” because the Superman prequel initially had LuthorCorp earlier than it bought renamed to LexCorp in season 10 when Michael Rosenbaum got here again to reprise the function of the long-lasting villain. Nevertheless, the DC Studios co-CEO elaborated additional on the LexCorp elimination:
After one other person replied, “LuthorCorp is ok, however a narcissist like Lex would DEFINITELY need *his* firm to solely be related to him, and take away as a lot connection to the remainder of the household as potential; whether or not Lionel was the founder or simply the sufferer of a “lucky accident”” Gunn defined that, “Nicely somebody’s final title is extra uncommon than an individual’s first title. So it is sensible to me he would title it LuthorCorp and never LexCorp.”
This is not the primary time that Smallville has acquired love from the Superman staff, as Hoult and Corenswet have spoken about being enormous followers of the Tom Welling-starring collection. The DCU’s new Clark Kent beforehand acknowledged that the DC TV lead was his Superman, whereas Rosenbaum was Hoult’s Lex once they each had been rising up.
David Corenswet to Leisure Weekly in June 2025: I’ve additionally bought loads of bodily comparisons to Tom Welling, who performed Superman and Clark Kent on Smallville. Once I was rising up, he was the Superman who was on TV each week. I believe, to at least one extent or one other, the entire Superman actors…There’s some Venn diagram of our bodily traits, which is sensible for a superhero who’s classically the one who would not put on a masks.
Hoult on Inside You with Michael Rosenbaum in March 2024: The primary ever Lex I noticed was you. I grew up and Smallville was on. I used to be 11 or 12. That was the present I might watch, and it was the primary iterations I might see of Superman and Lex and all these tales. I like your portrayal. Are you kidding me? It’s the perfect.
Gunn is sweet pals with Rosenbaum, as they’ve labored collectively on previous initiatives, with the Smallville star even getting a voice cameo in Superman as a Raptor guard. The filmmaker has additionally been on the report about loving the present, as he stated the next in an interview with ComicBook in June 2025:
James Gunn: I used to be taking numerous totally different stuff from comedian books, TV exhibits and movies- and I am a Smallville fan. It was LuthorCorp in Smallville. But it surely additionally let the door..to begin with, most individuals do not title their companies after their first title, so I consider it extra, when it comes to that. Additionally, it leaves the door open for, was his father, in any approach, ever aside of this, or his mom.
Whereas the Superman ending noticed Lex getting arrested and despatched to Belle Reve, Hoult returned in Peacemaker season 2, the place he labored out a deal to get transferred to Van Kull Most Safety Jail. Nevertheless, the well-known Superman nemesis is not going to be staying in jail for too lengthy.
Hoult and Corenswet are each set to return within the Man of Tomorrow film, as Lex and Krypton’s final son are going to have to hitch forces in opposition to a brand new risk. In response to studies, the Superman villain Brainiac goes to be the antagonist for the sequel.
With Man of Tomorrow filming set for 2026, the Superman continuation has been given a launch date for July 9, 2027.