James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios and director of the upcoming Superman film, ignited widespread debate among fans after praising Lex Luthor, one of Superman’s most notorious adversaries. On the character’s anniversary, Gunn stirred controversy by describing Luthor not as a villain but as a protector of Earth, sparking a heated discussion across the DC fandom regarding the true nature of one of the Man of Steel’s greatest foes.
Gunn commemorated Lex Luthor’s first comic book appearance in Superman #4, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, with a note that reframed Luthor’s identity in the public eye. He referred to Luthor as an
“ambitious and unstoppable CEO and scientist”
who, according to Gunn, is far from villainous. Instead, Gunn asserted, Luthor views himself as a guardian of humanity, swearing to protect the planet.
Fan Backlash Highlights Past Dark Actions
Despite Gunn’s positive spin, many fans quickly pushed back, pointing to Luthor’s deeds in the previous Superman film, where Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of the character was anything but heroic. Viewers reminded Gunn that Luthor’s willingness to let people perish during a catastrophic event ran counter to the image of a protector.
A social media user commented sharply,
“Even though in Superman, he was willing to allow People to die in the rift 🤣 but he’s still the ‘protector’,”
highlighting the contradiction between Gunn’s description and the character’s actions on screen. Another fan could not reconcile Gunn’s portrayal with Luthor’s violent past, saying,
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around how he is not a villain because he literally killed an innocent man in the previous movie.”
Adding humor to the criticism, one viewer remarked,
“Didn’t he execute an innocent falafel cart vendor? Bro should be in prison for that alone, falafels are great,”
emphasizing the character’s ruthless tendencies despite the claims of heroism.
Upcoming Film Promises New Dynamics Between Superman and Luthor
Despite the backlash, Gunn appears to be setting the stage for a more nuanced take on Lex Luthor in the upcoming film Man of Tomorrow, slated for release in theaters on July 9, 2027. The film will explore an unusual partnership between Luthor and Superman, challenging traditional roles and possibly reshaping their relationship within the DC Universe.
Fans are already expressing interest in this unexpected twist. One enthusiast wrote,
“Lex Luthor as hero? That’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming! Can’t wait to see the dynamic with Superman in MAN OF TOMORROW.”
This evolving storyline suggests the film will focus heavily on the complex interaction between these iconic characters.
Building the New DCU with Familiar and New Faces
Man of Tomorrow acts as a follow-up to the 2025 Superman film and continues to expand the evolving DC Universe. David Corenswet returns to play Clark Kent and Superman, while Nicholas Hoult reprises his role as Lex Luthor. The cast also includes Lars Eidinger as Brainiac, bringing another major character into the mix.
Filming is expected to begin later in the year, with Gunn’s long-term vision for Luthor becoming clearer as the character appeared not only in Superman but also in Peacemaker Season 2. These connections indicate Gunn’s commitment to exploring Luthor’s intricate role far beyond a simple villain archetype.
Complexity of Lex Luthor’s Character and Future Prospects
The portrayal of Lex Luthor as a “protector of Earth” is not without precedent in comic book lore. The character often sees Superman as an alien threat and promotes human intellect as the true safeguard for humanity. However, translating these comic themes to the screen while acknowledging Luthor’s violent and morally ambiguous actions presents a storytelling challenge.
James Gunn’s perspective signals a willingness to delve into Luthor’s complicated psychology and role within the DC Universe. Whether audiences will accept a Lex Luthor who views himself as a hero remains an open question, but it undeniably adds a layer of complexity to the familiar battle between hero and villain.
As Man of Tomorrow moves closer to its release date, anticipation grows around how Gunn will navigate this intricate portrayal and what impact it will have on the larger DC narrative. For now, the debate continues: is Lex Luthor truly a villain, or could he be cast in a new heroic light?
Even though in Superman, he was willing to allow People to die in the rift 🤣 but he’s still the “protector” pic.twitter.com/U766QIHvdy
— Cyril Gittens (@PistolaPedro22) February 23, 2026
I'm still trying to wrap my head around how he is not a villain because he literally killed an innocent man in the previous movie.
— Raghav Aggarwal 👨💻 🚀 (@avidRaghav) February 23, 2026
Didn’t he execute an innocent falafel cart vendor?
Bro should be in prison for that alone, falafels are great— J (@Luckydragon84) February 23, 2026
Lex Luthor as hero? That’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming! Can’t wait to see the dynamic with Superman in MAN OF TOMORROW.
— CODE (@_CODEwalker) February 23, 2026
