As the release of Superman, the first theatrical installment in the DC Universe, approaches, Nicholas Hoult, who plays Lex Luthor, has shared his hopes for a future team-up in the DCU. Hoult expressed interest in seeing his Lex Luthor collaborate with the Joker on screen, highlighting the potential of their combined presence.
Actor Reflects on Potential Character Dynamics
In a recent interview, Hoult discussed his preference for a partnership between Lex Luthor and Joker. He referred to a comic storyline that paired these two iconic villains, describing it as an enjoyable read and something he wishes to explore in future films. This sentiment was voiced during a conversation with his Superman co-stars.
One of the comics I read in the lead up to this was a link up between Lex and Joker. The combination of those two together was really fun to read, so perhaps if we are lucky and get to keep making movies, that’s something I’d like to see combined there,
Nicholas Hoult remarked to ComicBook.com.
Current State of Batman and Villain Roles in the New DCU
James Gunn, overseeing the rebooted DC Universe, has already announced Batman’s presence in his new chapter, titled Gods and Monsters, which will feature the character in the upcoming film The Brave and the Bold. Despite this, the full Batman roster remains uncast, with only a few characters such as Tom Rhys’ Clayface confirmed so far.
This leaves open questions about whether Lex Luthor and Joker will appear together within Gunn’s cinematic universe, as casting decisions are still developing for the Batman-related characters.
Comparison with Zack Snyder’s DCEU and Missed Opportunities
Under Zack Snyder’s leadership of the former DCEU, the chance to unite these two villains was never realized. In Snyder’s era, Jared Leto portrayed Joker, while Jesse Eisenberg played Lex Luthor, but their characters never crossed paths in any film adaptation. Even in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, where both appeared, their interactions were absent, leaving this team-up unexplored.
Implications for the Future of the DC Universe
Hoult’s enthusiasm for a Lex Luthor and Joker collaboration suggests potential directions for upcoming DCU storylines, particularly as James Gunn’s reboot continues to evolve. Should this team-up materialize, it could bring new layers of tension and intrigue to the franchise’s villain dynamics, providing fans with fresh narratives that were notably missing from the previous DCEU.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Zack Snyder quit?
A. Making the original movie was challenging, with the script often undergoing big changes. In May 2017, Snyder left during post-production because his daughter passed away. Joss Whedon then took over to finish directing the film, although he was not credited for this additional work.
Q. Did Zack Snyder lose a child?
A. In May 2017, Snyder decided to step away from the final stages of Justice League after his daughter Autumn died by suicide. Joss Whedon then finished the movie for him.
