Nicholas Hoult shares an essential aspect of the relationship between his Lex Luthor character and Superman (David Corenswet) in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film. During a tour of DC Studios’ flagship movie, the actor disclosed to ComicBook that at the onset of the eagerly awaited DC Universe, these two archenemies have not yet personally crossed paths, despite Luthor already harboring a strong, longstanding hatred for Superman. This sets up their rivalry as a preexisting and deeply ideological clash, with Hoult explaining that his character has been secretly devising complex strategies to vanquish a hero he has never officially encountered before.
When I initially read the script, one aspect that stood out was being immediately immersed in a well-established world and narrative, as if these characters had been around for quite some time,” Hoult explained. “As a viewer, you’re essentially trying to catch up on the storyline, learning about the background details and the universe’s lore. With Lex, it’s like he’s already made plans to defeat Superman, and as an audience, we’re left playing catch-up to understand the complexities of the situation and the unfolding of his strategies.
According to Houlte’s explanation, it is clear that Lex Luthor and Superman are not strangers to each other. While they may not have met face-to-face, their interactions and influence on one another are significant. The portrayal of Lex in this version is fascinating because his motivations stem from deeply rooted beliefs and fears. Specifically, he views Superman as a potential danger and threat to humanity, which fuels his actions. This perspective on the character was intriguing for Houlte, as it allowed him to explore Lex’s complex psyche. Essentially, instead of simply playing the villain, Houlte found it more engaging to consider Lex’s beliefs, which revolve around humanity’s autonomy and protection, and question where authority and human rights fit into society’s trust in Superman.
Lex Luthor’s War on Superman
Hoult’s perspective shifts the traditional Superman/Luthor conflict from a straightforward fight between muscle and mind into a deep confrontation rooted in conflicting ideologies. At the heart of this modern Lex Luthor’s villainy lies a strong belief in human supremacy, or exceptionalism. From his perspective, David Corenswet’s Superman embodies an existential danger to humanity’s potential. The presence of an all-powerful extraterrestrial savior, admired and trusted by the masses, diminishes the significance of human accomplishment and self-rule in his eyes. This portrayal aligns with many renowned character interpretations, particularly those found in Grant Morrison’s “All-Star Superman,” which James Gunn has acknowledged as a significant influence. In these stories, Luthor’s genius is tainted by his fear and intolerance, leading him to view Superman not as a guardian but as a restraint on human freedom.
In the comic books, Lex Luthor’s ideological base gives his schemes a more sinister twist than just trying to kill Superman. Instead, he seeks to eliminate the concept of Superman. His objective is to prove to the world that their trust in him is misguided and that their hero is actually a menace disguised as a savior. For Luthor, this is a war against hope itself. He intends to dismantle the public’s image of Superman, exposing his weaknesses and manipulating situations to portray him as unpredictable, alien, and ultimately harmful. This is a psychological battle to prompt humanity to regain control of its destiny by renouncing its most revered figure. The upcoming movie will likely delve into this darker aspect of Lex Luthor.
Superman is scheduled to fly into theaters on July 11th.
What are your thoughts on Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor’s feud with Superman? We invite you to share your insights in the comment section.
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2025-07-07 14:39