Nicholas Hoult, who is set to play Lex Luthor in the upcoming Superman reboot, recently revealed a surprising aspect of the infamous rivalry: Superman and Lex haven’t even met yet in the story, but their feud is already fierce. This twist adds a fresh narrative to one of comic history’s most iconic battles, grounding it in philosophy and ideology rather than just brute strength.
🧠 Conflict Without Contact
In this Superman universe, Lex Luthor begins the story without having met Superman face-to-face. However, Lex has already developed elaborate plans to defeat him. This signals a rivalry born not out of personal encounters, but from deep ideological divisions.
Lex sees Superman as a threat to humanity’s autonomy. From Lex’s perspective, placing faith in an alien being endangers human sovereignty. His growing disdain is not about jealousy—it’s about control. He believes mankind must determine its own destiny, not depend on a godlike outsider.
🤓 Lex Luthor: More Than a Villain
Hoult describes his Lex as someone who is strategic, logical, and dangerous—not just a typical supervillain. His portrayal leans into modern fears: technology, surveillance, billionaire influence, and manipulation. This Lex Luthor is a man who uses intellect and power to manipulate systems, not just battle superheroes.
Rather than screaming and plotting in the shadows, he is calm, cold, and calculated. His intellect becomes his greatest weapon, creating a villain who is terrifying because he’s believable.
🕵️♂️ A Villain With Conviction
Hoult’s take on Lex is more than an antagonist—he is a man of strong beliefs. He genuinely thinks Superman is a threat, not just to power structures, but to free will itself. That conviction makes him even more dangerous because he truly believes he’s saving humanity.
Lex doesn’t want Superman gone out of pettiness; he wants him gone because he sees him as a threat to human independence. That belief fuels every scheme, every plan.
🎥 A Fresh Approach in the DC Universe
Director James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe starts with Superman and introduces characters who already have histories and motivations. There’s no long origin story here—instead, we dive straight into a world already shaped by ideals, ambitions, and grudges.
This allows the Superman-Luthor rivalry to feel lived-in from the start. Superman represents hope, while Lex represents control and reason. Their conflict becomes a metaphor for two conflicting visions of leadership.
😎 Building on Legacy
Hoult brings his own flair but also acknowledges past portrayals. He’s drawn inspiration from previous Lex actors but makes the role uniquely his. He reportedly studied comic book arcs like “All-Star Superman,” where Lex expresses disdain for Superman’s effortless power compared to human struggle.
By embracing that thematic core, Hoult’s Lex channels resentment over Superman’s superiority—not in ability, but in how people blindly follow him. Lex believes in earning power, not receiving it by birth or alien origin.
🤝 Dynamic On and Off Screen
Despite playing enemies, Hoult and David Corenswet (Superman) reportedly share a respectful off-screen relationship. Hoult even joked about his earlier Superman audition, saying Corenswet was the better fit.
Their real-life camaraderie may add nuance to their on-screen performances. The emotional depth of their characters’ conflict may be amplified by the mutual trust between the actors.
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🌟 The DCU Vision
This new Superman film sets the tone for DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. With its bold direction, strong casting, and intelligent writing, it introduces moral dilemmas that resonate in today’s world.
Superman stands for optimism, freedom, and unity. Lex Luthor challenges that idealism with logic, fear, and human pride. It’s not just hero vs villain; it’s hope vs control. The movie explores whether humanity should trust a savior or believe in its own strength.
🎨 Ensemble Cast and Wider Universe
The film also introduces other DC heroes: Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Guy Gardner, and more. This expanded universe shows that Superman isn’t alone—and neither is Lex. His influence likely spreads beyond Metropolis, affecting the entire DCU.
With future crossovers teased, Lex’s motivations may influence multiple upcoming projects. Fans are already speculating about potential team-ups or rivalries between Lex and other major characters.
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is shaping up to be a bold, intelligent, and believable villain. By focusing on ideology rather than brute force, this version adds new depth to one of the most iconic rivalries in comic history.
Instead of a simple hero-villain dynamic, we get a thoughtful clash between power and responsibility, freedom and control. As DC resets its cinematic universe, this feud may very well become its emotional backbone.
Stay tuned as the countdown to Superman (2025) continues, with fans eagerly awaiting the first true battle of minds and ideals between the Man of Steel and the Man of Strategy.
