James Gunn Says Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor Will Be “Scary” in ‘Superman’

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As a lifelong fan of both Superman and Lex Luthor, I am absolutely thrilled about James Gunn’s vision for these iconic characters. Having followed Nicholas Hoult’s career since his days as Hutch in “About a Boy,” I have no doubt that he will deliver an unforgettable performance as Lex Luthor.

Fans of Man of Steel can relax, as James Gunn assures that Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor will be truly “frightening.” The role of the genius billionaire villain has been entrusted to Hoult, and the director of Superman is optimistic that he will excel at being a formidable adversary for the Last Son of Krypton (David Corenswet). Gunn shared this sentiment in an interview with Screen Brief. Here’s the quote:

In my creative endeavors, I aimed to craft a Lex Luthor who stood toe-to-toe with Superman, even surpassing him in some aspects. He needed to instill fear, not just because of his villainous nature, but also due to the validity of his thoughts and beliefs. This Lex Luthor isn’t merely a wrongdoer; he has a profound ideological contrast with Superman, which we delve into deeply. As the world’s most intelligent man, Lex embodies a perspective that challenges what Superman symbolizes.

There’s been a great deal of wild guesswork floating around the internet, particularly surrounding Warner Bros. and DC Comics’ groundbreaking Superman trailer. The clip hints at multiple villains that Kal-El might encounter, such as Ultraman seen battling Superman in the video, and Brainiac, possibly his iconic skull ship transformed with green tentacles visible in the background. But keep your eyes peeled for Lex Luthor too. Hoult’s portrayal of Luthor as a ‘bad boy’ could cause quite a challenge for Superman.

“Oh, Everybody Loves a Bad Boy”

Actor Nicholas Hoult has hinted at his portrayal of Lex Luthor as being ruthless, and it seems director James Gunn has crafted a character who isn’t hesitant to bend or break rules when facing off against DCU’s Superman. The director discussed the philosophies underlying both the film’s hero and villain, while also highlighting that Hoult’s Luthor is a “rebel with a charming edge” that many, particularly women, will find attractive. In the same interview, Gunn added:

Indeed, they are locked in a clash of perspectives, each viewing the world differently. One, being Superman, holds a generous outlook, while the other, Lex, tends to be less generous in his views. Moreover, his intelligence and ability to manipulate Lex’s minions pose a significant threat to Superman.

1) In situations where you’re prepared to fight with no boundaries, you’ll almost always have an advantage against someone who fights but adheres to many rules – that’s Superman for you. On the film set, when Nick arrived, he was exactly what you’d expect from a major movie star. The ladies were all smitten with Lex Luthor. I thought to myself, ‘Everyone seems to love the rebellious type.’

DC enthusiasts have plenty of reasons to be thrilled, especially with the variety of captivating characters set to appear. In the sensational Superman trailer, a multitude of powerful figures were unveiled, garnering an astounding 2.7 billion views since its release on December 20. However, don’t underestimate Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor as he is poised to cause Kal-El significant trouble when Superman graces the big screen on July 11, 2025.

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2024-12-28 02:31