Superman Director James Gunn Reveals Origins of Mr. Handsome

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Although Superman is known as the Man of Steel, Lex Luthor represents the field of science. As James Gunn put it, Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor’s Superman villain is akin to a master of science. His fixation on his arch-nemesis, Metropolis’ hero Superman (David Corenswet), has led him to orchestrate a scheme involving a colossal city-threatening kaiju, an interdimensional rift, and superhuman enforcers such as the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría) and Ultraman.

In disguise, it’s revealed that Ultraman is an incomplete Superman duplicate, crafted from Superman’s DNA – a hair sample gathered from the battlefield by Luthor. However, it seems that Luthor had previously dabbled in creating life.

According to Gunn, his preferred character from the movie “Superman” could potentially be Mr. Handsome. He made this statement on X, hinting at the mysterious chauffeur who manages the platform in Lex Luthor’s pocket universe where Superman is held captive around midway through the film. This character, despite his creepy appearance, might hold a significant role.

When Gunn spoke about it, it turned out that Lex had developed Mr. Handsome inside a Petri dish at age 12, an attempt to create a human being. Although he didn’t turn out perfect, Lex seems to have a genuine attachment to him, as shown by the photo of him on his desk.

Additionally, Gunn called out actor Trevor Newlin, famously known as Mr. Handsome, who had earlier portrayed both the Xenomorph in “Alien: Romulus” and the Monstrosity in “Smile 2.” He shared some fresh photos from the set of “Superman,” showcasing Newlin in costume. You can find those pictures down below.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 29, 2025

Among the aspects that particularly captivated me when I initially read the script was the immersion into a richly established world and narrative, where the characters were already part of this universe’s history. This means that, as a viewer, you find yourself trying to understand the backstory and the nature of what’s unfolding.

Houlton pointed out that Gunn’s portrayal of Luthor is fueled by jealousy and bitterness, to which Luthor himself referred as “the last glimmer of hope for mankind, as it has been the very emotion that propels me to destroy you.

In simpler terms, he pointed out the concerns about how Superman’s presence might pose a risk to humanity, which was an intriguing aspect for him in exploring the character’s mindset. He emphasized the challenge of portraying a villain while delving into Lex Luthor’s perspective, as he isn’t just a bad guy; he questions Superman’s beliefs about humanity’s control over their own destiny. Essentially, he wonders where accountability, law, and protection for humanity fit into this scenario where society has largely put its trust in Superman, giving him immense power and freedom.

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2025-07-30 00:09