Superman Contains a Major Smallville Easter Egg

James Gunn’s version of Superman clearly honors the character’s cinematic history, as evident by the use of John Williams’ famous theme in the trailers. However, this reboot also subtly references DC’s TV legacy. In an interview with ComicBook for promotional purposes, Gunn revealed that he incorporated a significant nod to the TV series ‘Smallville‘. Since the first Superman teaser trailer was released last year, fans have been aware that the Lex Luthor in the DC Universe runs LuthorCorp, which is a ‘Smallville’ Easter egg.

In the process of creating this film, I drew inspiration from a multitude of comic books, TV series, and films. I am a fan of Smallville, where LutherCorp is featured, hence its inclusion. However, it’s unusual for corporations to be named after their founders’ first names, which added an element of authenticity in my mind. Furthermore, the name allows room for speculation: Was his father, in any way, connected to this corporation? Or his mother?

Although Superman marks a new chapter for the character and DC, director James Gunn has skillfully honored the character’s illustrious history through multiple platforms. The film echoes the spirit of the Christopher Reeve movies, aiming to delight viewers with an upbeat narrative. Additionally, Gunn has incorporated elements from the comics, like Clark Kent’s hypnotic glasses, into the storyline.

In the DC Extended Universe, the company that belonged to Lex was known as LexCorp. However, in the film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”, it’s shown that this company was founded years earlier by Lex’s father, Lex Luthor Sr. On the TV series “Smallville”, the company initially went by LuthorCorp before eventually changing its name to LexCorp. Created by Lionel Luthor, LuthorCorp originally specialized in agricultural products but later diversified into various sectors such as biotechnology, weapons, and electronics.

Smallville holds a significant role in the history of Superman, amassing a dedicated and enthusiastic fanbase throughout its 10-year run on television. Even though it’s been off the air since 2011, there’s still enthusiasm for a follow-up series, as co-creator Al Gough remains optimistic that the proposed sequel will eventually become reality. Given Smallville’s cultural significance, it’s pleasing to see director James Gunn acknowledge the influential TV show with this Easter egg. While it may not be the same as having Tom Welling reprise his role as Clark Kent, fans are likely to appreciate this nod to the lasting impact of Smallville on the Superman franchise as a whole.

Beyond the Smallville link, it makes good sense for Gunn to choose LexCorp. Many fictional characters often name their businesses after their surnames, as seen in Marvel with OsCorp (created by Norman Osborn) and Stark Industries (established by Tony Stark). Therefore, it’s only logical that Gunn and the DCU would adopt LuthorCorp. It will be intriguing to discover if Superman delves into Lex’s family background and clarifies whether his relatives have any connection with the company.

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2025-06-29 16:11