With the release of James Gunn‘s highly anticipated Superman film just weeks away, attention is intensifying around Nicholas Hoult’s upcoming portrayal of Lex Luthor, a character crucial to both the DC universe and the story’s core. This film, starring David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, aims to relaunch the DC universe on the big screen, and fans are already debating how James Gunn’s impact on Lex Luthor portrayal in Superman could shape perceptions of the infamous villain.
Building Anticipation: Lex Luthor’s Arrival in Gunn’s DC Universe
As excitement mounts for the film‘s theatrical debut, one detail has stood out in promotional materials: Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor has been largely absent from early trailers, surprising many who expected Superman’s archnemesis to take center stage. The final trailer, released recently, finally offered an extended look at Hoult’s Luthor, igniting conversations among fans and critics about whether this interpretation could become the most definitive version ever seen on film.
Lex Luthor: Superman’s Mirror Opposite and Ultimate Foe
Lex Luthor occupies a central place in Superman’s mythos, serving as a dark reflection of everything the hero stands for. While General Zod and Brainiac challenge Superman with logic or ruthless ambition, Luthor represents pure vanity and self-obsession. His worldview is built on a sense of superiority, believing himself to be above any authority, and his resentment simmers whenever attention is diverted to Metropolis’ cherished hero. This deep-seated rivalry isn’t just personal, but philosophical—driven by ego as much as ideology.
Luthor’s hatred for Superman springs from an old dynamic: the hero is an unstoppable media darling, always the subject of public fascination. This aspect of the character was crystallized in John Byrne’s 1980s comics reboot, which transformed Luthor from a mad scientist to a corrupt billionaire businessman. Even the classic film portrayal by Gene Hackman captured this, with Hackman’s Luthor aware of Superman’s authenticity and famously noting,
“if any human being were to perpetrate such a fantastic hoax it would have been me,”
—Gene Hackman, as Lex Luthor, and then relishing the prospect,
“to commit the crime of the century a man would just naturally want to face the challenge of the century.”
—Gene Hackman, as Lex Luthor
The Evolution of Lex Luthor On-Screen
Despite the central role of ego and jealousy in Lex’s character, these traits have often gone underexplored in recent film incarnations. Lex Luthors of Superman: The Animated Series and shows like Superman & Lois or Supergirl emphasised these qualities, but on the big screen, actors like Kevin Spacey and Jesse Eisenberg failed to fully channel Luthor’s bitterness and resentment, leaving audiences searching for a more emotionally charged adversary. With early footage from Gunn’s Superman, fans are noting a marked difference: Hoult’s Luthor exudes visible irritation at Superman’s popularity, articulating with clear frustration that Superman may not even be human, more a specimen than an equal.
A Volatile and Overt Villain: Hoult’s Most Explosive Scenes
The most recent trailer provides the most explicit glimpse of Luthor’s hatred yet. After a sequence showing the world cheering Superman, Hoult’s Luthor bellows,
“They chose him! Let them die!”
—Nicholas Hoult, as Lex Luthor. The narrative hints intensify further with shots of public unrest, including someone throwing a can at Superman. These visuals point toward Luthor orchestrating a campaign to poison public opinion against the Man of Steel, not unlike the schemes seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. However, Hoult’s take is volatile and direct, moving public sentiment from ambivalence toward outright hostility—a shift that raises the stakes for everyone in Superman’s orbit.
Portraying a Modern Billionaire: Lex Luthor as a Socially Relevant Antagonist
This fresh approach to Luthor appears especially timely, mirroring public figures in today’s world who are perceived as narcissistic billionaires, hypersensitive to media attention or criticism, and disconnected from ordinary concerns. The updated villain channels this real-world phenomenon, recasting Luthor’s obsession with power into a relatable—or at least recognizable—brand of villainy aimed at the disaffected masses instead of purely plotting world domination. This linkage to current social dynamics deepens the tension and relevance of the character‘s conflict with Superman.
Comic Roots and Enduring Tragedy: Luthor’s Lost Potential
Writers like Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, and Grant Morrison have all explored layers of Lex Luthor’s persona in acclaimed comic series including Superman: Birthright, Superman: Secret Origin, and All-Star Superman. Their stories emphasize a recurring tragedy: had Luthor been able to put aside his pettiness and anger, his immense genius and resources could have done greater good for humanity than even Superman. Instead, he remains trapped by bitter enmity, focusing his efforts on destroying the very hero who inspires hope.
Early Impressions and the Future of Superman’s Greatest Enemy
Although audiences have only glimpsed brief moments of Hoult’s performance in promotional material, the intensity of his delivery and the subtlety of his body language already echo the most essential qualities of Lex Luthor—ruthlessness, frustration, and a coldly methodical approach to getting what he wants. His scenes, especially those set within the heat of battle in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, reveal a villain undaunted by chaos, single-mindedly targeting what he deems worthy and disregarding everything else.
What’s Next: The Countdown to Superman’s Release
With just under a month remaining until Superman’s arrival in theaters across the US on July 11, 2025 (and internationally on July 9), fans and critics alike are speculating that Nicholas Hoult could very well redefine the legacy of Lex Luthor for a new generation. James Gunn’s recalibration of the DC universe pivots in no small part around this portrayal, and whether it will usher in a new era of villainy remains to be seen. All signs suggest that this version of Luthor—intense, conflicted, and all too human—will leave a lasting imprint, providing audiences with a character as complex and divisive as the times demand.
