Lex Luthor is not just another villain. He is the intellectual counter to Superman’s might. While Zack Snyder’s DCEU tried to modernize and reimagine the character through Jesse Eisenberg’s tech-bro interpretation, the execution left many fans scratching their heads.
Luthor’s essence, his cold, calculating mind and manipulative genius, felt lost behind quirks and monologues. However, now, James Gunn’s DC Universe is giving us something different. Something promising.
Lex Luthor Will Be Behind Every ‘Superman’ Villain
From the moment Nicholas Hoult was announced as the new Lex Luthor, fans were curious. Could Hoult deliver a version of Lex that finally resonates with both comic book purists and general audiences? Based on everything we’ve seen so far (from the trailers to behind-the-scenes insights), the answer is a resounding yes. Hoult’s portrayal seems grounded in the Luthor we recognize from decades of DC storytelling.
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James Gunn has also made it abundantly clear: Lex Luthor isn’t just a side threat. He’s the main villain of the ‘Superman’ film. Despite the Man of Steel battling multiple enemies, including Ultraman, the Engineer, and more, Lex will get the full spotlight as the main antagonist. Every disaster, every adversary, it all leads back to Luthor. “Lex is connected to everything,” Gunn told EW. That level of influence not only elevates Luthor’s role in the movie but also sets the stage for a grander arc.
Additionally, Gunn’s vision for the DCU is rooted deeply in the comics. He respects source material without being enslaved by it. However, more than anything, he knows how to build long-term payoffs. With Peter Safran confirming that Lex Luthor is “a very important character” with plans stretching far beyond this first film, the path is wide open for Luthor to emerge as the ultimate puppet master.
The Injustice League Dream Could Finally Become A Reality
If you’re a longtime DC fan, you probably remember Zack Snyder’s big endgame idea: the Injustice League. It was meant to be Lex Luthor’s counter to the Justice League. This team would feature a rogues’ gallery of villains, including Doctor Poison, Black Manta, Captain Cold, Ocean Master, and more. Snyder began planting seeds for this in ‘Batman v Superman’ and ‘Justice League’. However, the DCEU’s turbulent journey never allowed that storyline to fully blossom.
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But now, James Gunn’s DCU appears poised to pick up where Snyder left off. Additionally, this time it will be with more narrative cohesion and character development. In ‘Superman’, we’re already seeing the early framework of a connected universe. The “Justice Gang,” featuring heroes like Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Green Lantern, is forming at the Hall of Justice. It’s not yet the full Justice League.
However, it certainly is a prototype. If history tells us anything about Lex Luthor, it’s that he never takes defeat lightly. After losing to Superman in the first film (which feels inevitable), it’s only natural that he would respond by assembling his own team of metahumans and masterminds. That team could be the Injustice League. And this time, it makes even more sense than ever before.
Zack Snyder had a grand vision that saw Lex Luthor as more than just a manipulative billionaire. Now, nearly a decade later, James Gunn and Nicholas Hoult are positioned to finish what Snyder started, albeit in their own way. Additionally, for the first time in a long time, the DC Universe feels like it has a villain worthy of being its linchpin.
