Superman vs Lex Luthor: What to Expect from James Gunn’s Film

by

In all the trailers leading up to the much-awaited Superman movie, both David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor have made an appearance. Excited viewers have also caught a glimpse of Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi). However, fans were yet to see Superman engaging in a battle with Luthor, but director James Gunn has now released a fresh photo, taken on the set of Superman, which shows Corenswet, Hoult, and himself. The context of the scene is unknown, but Superman is seen wearing his traditional Kryptonian attire, while Luthor looks sharp and dapper, even without his customary tailored jacket.

It’s evident that the picture is a backstage snapshot since Gunn and Corenswet are grinning, while Hoult faces away from the camera. The buzz among fans suggests that Brainiac might actually be the main antagonist in this summer’s highly anticipated Superman film. Evidence seems to support this theory, as footage of what resembles a modernized Brainiac’s tentacled spaceship can be seen in both the teaser and sneak peeks. However, if Gunn’s cinematic adaptation follows the All-Star Superman comic books at all, Luthor is likely to pose a significant threat.

Regardless, the current spotlight is on Luthor and Superman’s first encounter from the movie, whether it’s just a behind-the-scenes photo or not, as the filmmaker seems to be gleaming with pride. Interestingly, there was an overall positive atmosphere on set, even for the bald villain. Hoult recently shared his feelings about being part of Superman at this year’s CinemaCon. He expressed the unique “magic of cinema” sensation he experienced while working on the film, as reported by GamesRadar+.

On the movie set, David was donned as Superman. As he swooped in, the sun shining brilliantly behind him, it felt like I was experiencing the enchantment of cinema right then and there. Despite harboring feelings of dislike for him, I couldn’t help but feel a warm sensation in my stomach and have a goofy smile on my face. In that moment, I realized, ‘This is pure magic.’

Will ‘Superman’ Soar Past the Billion-Dollar Mark at the Box Office?

James Gunn’s “Superman” will make its and Peter Safran’s first appearance in the DC Universe on the big screen this summer, marking an important milestone for the filmmaker who has previously found success within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, despite the financial triumphs of the MCU, the DCEU (also known as the Snyderverse) only managed to surpass the billion-dollar mark once – with the Jason Momoa-led “Aquaman” earning $1.13 billion.

In terms not linked to the Snyderverse, three additional DC films – “The Dark Knight”, “The Dark Knight Rises”, and “Joker” – all surpassed the billion-dollar mark at the global box office, but a Superman movie has yet to achieve such success financially. However, the last two movies that starred Superman as the main character have fared well during their cinematic releases. “Man of Steel”, released in 2013, grossed $668 million worldwide, and “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” earned an impressive $872.4 million.

It’s important to mention that in today’s value, the box office earnings of “Superman: The Movie” (1978) amounting to $300 million would be equivalent to approximately $1.47 billion when adjusted for inflation. Is it possible for James Gunn’s version of Superman to surpass the billion-dollar mark? Realistically, achieving that milestone would indeed be a triumph for Gunn, Safran, and DC Studios if their movie manages to gross around or slightly over $500 million. However, considering its potential production budget, even reaching this figure might not guarantee the film a profit.

Over the past few years, the last three DC films – “The Flash”, “Blue Beetle”, and “Aquaman 2” – didn’t quite live up to expectations when they were released in cinemas. The closest one of these came to making half a billion dollars globally was “Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom,” which made $439.4 million. So, James Gunn’s upcoming “Superman” movie has its challenges ahead as it debuts on the box office in 2025 on July 11. Given the enthusiasm of comic book fans for Superman, the Last Son of Krypton, it’s expected that audiences will flock to the cinemas to support the film.

Sources: Collider, The Numbers, GamesRadar+

Read More

2025-04-12 16:03