MOVIE NEWS – Fans of Man of Steel can rest easy, as James Gunn assures audiences that his rendition of Lex Luthor will undoubtedly be “terrifying.” The iconic role of the ingenious and wealthy villain has been entrusted to Nicholas Hoult, and the Superman director is certain that Hoult will be a compelling adversary for the Last Son of Krypton (David Corenswet). Speaking to Screen Brief, Gunn explained:

“What mattered most to me was crafting a Lex Luthor who is entirely Superman’s equal—perhaps even more so. He has to be intimidating, and this Lex certainly is. It’s not solely because he’s evil—though he is quite bad—but because his motivations are deeply rooted in his own logic, which we explore. Much of it centers on ideological conflicts between what Superman stands for and what Lex represents as the world’s most intelligent man.”

Speculation has run rampant online, both before and after Warner Bros. and DC Comics unveiled their record-breaking Superman trailer. The teaser hints at several foes for Kal-El, including Ultraman, who appears to clash with Superman, and Brainiac, whose iconic skull ship, reimagined with glowing green tentacles, looms in the background. However, it’s important not to overlook Lex Luthor. Hoult’s “bad boy” interpretation promises to make Superman’s journey anything but smooth.

“Everyone Loves a Villain”

Nicholas Hoult has already teased that his portrayal of Lex Luthor will be “ruthless,” and James Gunn has crafted a version of the character who plays by no rules when challenging the DCU’s Man of Steel. The Superman director discussed the ideological battle between the hero and villain while highlighting Hoult’s charisma as a “bad boy” audiences, especially women, will adore. In the same interview, Gunn shared:

“This is really a clash of ideologies between the two, reflecting their contrasting worldviews. Superman embodies generosity, while Lex lacks that quality entirely. Lex’s intellect and his cunning approach to dealing with his henchmen make him an extraordinary threat to Superman.
When there are no rules in a fight, you hold an advantage over someone who fights within boundaries—and that’s Superman. On set, Nick exuded every bit of the movie star presence you’d expect. Women were swooning over his portrayal of Lex Luthor. I thought to myself, ‘Everyone loves a bad boy.’”

DC enthusiasts have much to look forward to, with a host of intriguing characters teased in the record-shattering Superman preview, which has garnered nearly 2.7 billion views since its December 20 release. Don’t underestimate Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, as he’s set to turn Kal-El’s world upside down when Superman lands in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Source: MovieWeb