James Gunn Reveals the Comic Inspirations Behind His Lex Luthor in ‘Superman’
The DCU is set to launch with the upcoming release of Creature Commandos, which is just under two months away. However, as both Gunn and Safran have previously indicated, Superman, scheduled for release in 2025, will serve as the official beginning of the DCU.
While the overall plot of the movie remains largely under wraps, the cast has been announced for some time now. Notably, Nicholas Hoult is set to portray Superman’s iconic nemesis, Lex Luthor.
Lex Luthor is among the most frequently adapted villains in the Superman franchise, particularly in live-action, with numerous actors taking on the role. Most recently, Michael Cudlitz brought a unique interpretation of Lex to Superman & Lois, presenting a version of the character we haven’t seen before.
Now, James Gunn has revealed what his take on Lex Luthor will entail, citing the comic book inspirations behind his portrayal.
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James Gunn’s version of Lex Luthor takes ideas from several important comic book stories, each showing a different side of the character.
In All-Star Superman, Luthor is a smart but deeply flawed villain. He is obsessed with beating Superman and is shown as both clever and arrogant. This version of Luthor reveals his inner struggles and weaknesses, making him both a dangerous enemy and a tragic character.
In Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, the story is told only from Luthor’s point of view. Here, Luthor is shown as a charming but manipulative businessman who sees Superman as a threat to humanity. He believes that his actions are necessary in a world where a godlike being exists.
Lastly, during the Silver Age of comics, Luthor was often portrayed as a mad scientist who created many inventions to fight Superman. In this version, he is known for his intelligence, clever schemes, and relentless quest for power.
From Gunn’s earlier comments about what inspired the movie, it seems likely that he will mainly adapt the All-Star Superman version of Luthor.
David Corenswet, who will play Superman, described the story as a blend of For All Seasons and All-Star Superman, but with Gunn’s unique style added in.
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