Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, makes a notable appearance in Peacemaker Season 2, starring John Cena, marking a significant development for the DC Universe (DCU). James Gunn, director and chief of DC Studios, recently explained how Luthor’s role in the series is crucial for the broader DCU storyline, including the upcoming Man of Tomorrow film.
The Impact of Lex Luthor’s Introduction in Peacemaker
Gunn discussed the filming experience on Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, sharing that Luthor’s scenes were among the first shot.
“This was one of the first scenes we shot. I think we shot it in the middle of Superman, while we were shooting the pentagon sequences in Superman. It was cool, it was weird because tonally, it instantly felt different from Superman, which is so big and brash. And this show is so grounded and gritty. And then also hearing Nick curse,”
he said.
He also commented on Hoult’s portrayal of Luthor, observing a distinct shift.
“But I felt like even Nick’s performance was different,”
Gunn noted. Jennifer Holland, his spouse and co-star, agreed, adding,
“It felt a little darker, it was a little different.”
Lex Luthor’s Role in Peacemaker’s Plot
In the Peacemaker Season 2 episode titled “Ignorance Is Chris,” Lex Luthor is seen in Belle Reve prison, assisting Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo. Flag seeks Luthor’s help to locate Peacemaker’s portal to an alternate dimension, a key plot element following Peacemaker’s capture after using a mini universe in the recent Superman film.
Gunn described this collaboration as pivotal for the series and the wider DCU.
“So, we have a really important moment, for not only Peacemaker, but the entire DCU, in that Rick Flag, the head of ARGUS, strikes a deal basically with Lex Luthor. In exchange for Lex Luthor finding where Peacemaker’s portal might be, he is going to move him from a prison with metahumans to a prison with no metahumans.”
This alliance introduces a tense dynamic, as Rick Flag’s decision to trust Luthor brings new risks. Gunn emphasized that Flag’s alliance is “scary” for Peacemaker, since Luthor is a powerful figure driven by his own motives.
What Lex Luthor’s Appearance Means for DC Universe’s Future
Introducing Lex Luthor into Peacemaker expands the interconnectedness of the DCU storylines, linking the television series directly with the films, including the forthcoming Man of Tomorrow. This development hints at deeper narrative layers involving ARGUS, metahumans, and secret dimensions, raising anticipation about how Luthor’s influence will reshape upcoming events in the franchise.
