The DCU is taking the bigger-than-life comic book aspects of Lex Luthor‘s character seriously, as the recent teases for ‘Man of Tomorrow’ featured him wearing his iconic battle armor.
That’s a nice little detail for long-time DC readers. And, carries a deeper meaning for what happens to The Justice League next.
Lex Luthor Is Becoming More Than Superman’s Problem
When Lex enters powered armor, it’s not just a stylish enhancement; it implies a Lex that’s ready to take on the challenge of facing off against gods, aliens, and metahumans. More importantly, it allows him to be even bigger than just the greatest enemy of Superman.
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In the past, Lex Luthor has gone to great lengths to pursue his passion for the Man of Steel. In the comic, that obsession sometimes extends beyond Metropolis, making him a threat to all the superheroes. Gunn’s choice to embrace Lex’s comic-book origins makes it easier to believe that it could be the same trajectory in the DCU.
Lex didn’t have to be just one movie’s villain; he could be the brains behind a whole slew of them. With the addition of more heroes throughout the franchise, he’d have all the reasons to look for allies who can take him on. The prospect is particularly intriguing when you take into account that some of DC’s most infamous villains may be lurking in the wings.
DCU’s Next Major Threat Might Not Be Darkseid After All
A lesson that DC can learn from previous attempts at film is that patience is key. Audiences need to have invested in the heroes for years before massive threats like Darkseid are going to be effective. A Lex Luthor-led villain team provides a more personal and grounded battle for the first Justice League movie.
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The heroes would not face an end-of-the-world threat right away. Instead, they would face enemies who are aware of their weaknesses and have personal vendettas against them. However, their rivalry will not go away, even if ‘Man of Tomorrow’ puts them together against Brainiac.
That experience might make Lex even more determined to prove the superiority of humanity. But when that occurs, forming a supervillain alliance might be the next logical step, and it could be the future of James Gunn’s DC Universe.
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