Lex Luthor’s Warsuit Takes Flight in Wild ‘Man of Tomorrow’ Set Footage, and Fans Can’t Get Enough
James Gunn’s DC Universe has been building serious momentum since Superman landed in theaters last year, and the upcoming sequel is wasting no time proving it means business. ‘Superman: Man of Tomorrow’ is already shooting in Atlanta, with David Corenswet returning as the Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult back as Lex Luthor. The production has been generous with on-set glimpses, and this week delivered one of the most exciting yet.
The energy around the sequel shifted into overdrive earlier this week when James Gunn posted a first look at Nicholas Hoult wearing Lex Luthor’s iconic warsuit on social media, captioning the image simply, “Fit check. Live from the set of Man of Tomorrow.” The image spread instantly, confirming that one of the most beloved elements of the character’s comic book history was finally making its live-action film debut. This marks the first time the warsuit has ever appeared in a live-action Superman movie, though it has previously been seen on television in productions such as the CW’s ‘Supergirl’ and ‘Superman and Lois’.
Now the set footage has taken things a step further. Video captured on location and shared across social media shows a stunt double in the full warsuit launching out of a hole in the wall during what appears to be a major fight sequence, giving fans their first real glimpse of Lex Luthor in airborne action. Further footage of the same scene shows Lex either flying or being thrown through a wall, with the dedication to practical filmmaking on full display. Production is currently underway in downtown Atlanta, and while Hoult can be spotted wearing the practical armor in some shots, much of the wall-crash footage focuses on his stunt double being yanked backward through a massive hole in the side of a building.
What makes the warsuit’s arrival even more exciting for fans is Gunn’s commitment to keeping it real. In a series of posts on Threads, Gunn confirmed that the suit is “100 percent practical” and that Hoult “can move incredibly well” in it, adding, “It’s unbelievably mobile.” He also noted a deliberate departure from the classic comics look, explaining that Luthor has “added unbreakable Lexiglas” to protect his head, since the comics version typically leaves it exposed. One more detail caught the attention of eagle-eyed observers: the warsuit carries an ARGUS logo across the chest rather than a LuthorCorp one, hinting at a possible government connection for Lex in the sequel.
The warsuit itself is adapted from Kryptonian power armor in the comics, giving Luthor massive strength and allowing him to fight toe-to-toe with Superman for short periods. It famously debuted on the cover of Action Comics No. 544 in a story titled “Luthor Unleashed,” in which the Lexcorp genius seeks retribution with his new suit of armor. Though it will build on the events of ‘Superman,’ Gunn has been clear that ‘Man of Tomorrow’ is just as much Luthor’s film as it is Clark’s, with the two forced to set aside their rivalry to face Brainiac, played by German actor Lars Eidinger.
The film is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027, as part of the DCU’s ongoing Chapter One, Gods and Monsters. With practical suits, stunt work this ambitious, and a story built around the most iconic Superman villain matchup in comics history, the hype is fully justified. Whether you think Lex can hold his own against Brainiac in that armor or not, the footage from Atlanta this week makes a strong case, and we’d love to hear your take on it in the comments.
