In James Gunn’s Superman, not only did we get a fresh take on Superman, but also the first appearance of Lex Luthor in the DC Universe. English actor Nicholas Hoult, previously known for his role as Beast in Marvel’s X-Men series, stepped into the shoes of Lex Luthor for the DCU. Luthor was initially introduced as Superman’s arch-nemesis in 1940’s Action Comics #23, using wealth, intelligence, and a sense of entitlement to challenge the Man of Steel. This classic rivalry was beautifully adapted for the 2025 version of Superman.
Regardless of his ordinary human status without any apparent superpowers, Lex Luthor has managed to carve a lasting impression as one of the most renowned, fearsome, and iconic villains in comic book lore. Throughout various adaptations, actors like Michael Rosenbaum, Gene Hackman, Jesse Eisenberg, and Michael Cudlitz have portrayed him, but Hoult has added unique elements that earlier versions might have overlooked. Lex Luthor could be an ideal choice for a novice supervillain in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s revamped DCU, offering optimism for the future of its villainous characters.
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor Gave Us Everything We Wanted From the Supervillain
2025’s version of Superman, portrayed by David Corenswet, brought a fresh, vibrant take on the Man of Steel, departing from the somber, brooding tone of Henry Cavill’s tenure as Superman. This new interpretation infused a comic book aesthetic that resonated well with audiences. Moreover, Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor showcased aspects of the villain that were notably absent in Jesse Eisenberg’s manic and eccentric depiction. In this version of Superman, Luthor was genuinely terrifying and executed some truly dark and chilling acts, solidifying him as one of the most malevolent portrayals of the character to date.
In the movie “Superman,” Lex Luthor’s objective is realistically portrayed: it involves eliminating Superman, an extraterrestrial residing among us humans. He openly expresses his hostility towards Superman due to his intense envy and jealousy over the Man of Steel’s immense power, a level far surpassing that of any human with superpowers (Metahumans). This vendetta distorts Luthor’s sense of morality, as he no longer perceives Superman as entitled to the same rights as humans. Consequently, he resorts to committing despicable acts in his relentless pursuit to bring down this superhero.
In this scenario, we have actions such as unlawfully reproducing Superman, burglarizing the Fortress of Solitude, damaging Superman’s helpful robotic helpers, pilfering video footage of Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, and broadcasting their distressing message worldwide. After Superman surrenders, Lex Luthor transports him to his pocket dimension jail, debilitates him with Kryptonite, interrogates him while playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette with people that Superman has rescued. In the movie Superman, Luthor is portrayed as thoroughly wicked without any redeeming qualities, which aligns perfectly with how he should be presented on-screen – giving us optimism that other DCU villains will receive similar treatment.
Lex Luthor in Superman Gives Me Hope Other DCU Villains Will Be Handled Right
Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult in the live-action DC Universe (DCU), is the first significant antagonist to appear, but there are numerous movies and TV series under development, meaning more villains will join soon. The fact that Lex Luthor’s character remains true to the comics, showcasing pure evil and a truly chilling portrayal, gives us confidence that other supervillains will follow suit. In the DCU’s confirmed projects, we can expect to see Sinestro (played by Ulrich Thomsen), Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts), Bane, and Deathstroke as villains, all deserving the same level of justice as Lex Luthor.
Apart from the already known villains who could undergo a faithful and powerful transformation, it would be exciting to witness numerous other antagonists from the DC Comics world receiving the same treatment. Famous supervillains like the Reverse-Flash, Ra’s al Ghul, Darkseid, and of course, the Joker, would greatly benefit by finally revealing their most sinister and unstable aspects. The DC Extended Universe has toned down characters such as the Reverse-Flash, Darkseid, Steppenwolf, and even the Joker, and some of the most significant villains were never introduced at all. Therefore, it’s high time for these characters to experience their dark transformation.
In simple terms, Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor is widely considered one of the most powerful depictions of this supervillain in live-action history. This encourages us to believe that future DC Universe projects will introduce equally strong versions of their villains. After such a striking and chilling debut by Lex Luthor, it seems like Superman has paved the way for an exceptionally promising future for DC Studios’ live-action productions; however, we need some time to absorb the impact before moving forward.
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2025-07-18 18:13