As a die-hard comic book fan and someone who has seen every live-action portrayal of Maxwell Lord to date, I couldn’t be more thrilled about Sean Gunn’s take on the character for the new DC Universe. Having grown up reading the comics and seeing the various iterations, it’s refreshing to know that this time around, the focus will be on the written material and not rehashing previous performances.
Fear not, fans, as there’s no need to concern yourself about another “Wonder Woman 1984” setback. Moreover, Sean Gunn’s portrayal of Maxwell Lord in the upcoming DC Universe won’t resemble any previous live-action interpretations of the comic book character. It was confirmed back in December 2023 that Gunn would bring the cunning and shrewd DC Comics businessman to life under the direction of his brother, James Gunn, and Peter Safran. In a recent interview, Sean Gunn clarified that his Max Lord will not be based on any prior character performances. According to The Wrap, Gunn stated: “My version of Max Lord won’t reference other live performances of the character.”
“My brother James and I have had a conversation about the canon reference materials that might be pertinent to my work. I’m not able to share much more, but I will say that we delved into the details of the character before I started working on it. We didn’t rely on any live performances for our research; instead, we focused solely on written materials that we deemed relevant.”
In a more recent portrayal, the deceitful DC Comics villain Maxwell Lord was played by Pedro Pascal, who is known for his roles in ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Last of Us’. The movie ‘Wonder Woman 1984′, which followed Patty Jenkins’ ‘Wonder Woman’ (2017), faced difficulties at the box office, likely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, both audiences and critics had trouble embracing this underwhelming sequel.
Black King Gets Fresh Start in New DCU
In contrast to mixed reactions towards “Wonder Woman 1984,” Pedro Pascal delivered intense portrayals as the antagonist Maxwell Lord. As Sean Gunn hinted, his interpretation of the ruthless businessman won’t simply copy prior live-action performances. Unlike iconic villains such as the Joker, Lex Luthor, or even Silver Age adversaries like Sinestro, Maxwell Lord may not have the same enduring appeal. Nonetheless, Gunn should enjoy the opportunity to craft a unique take on the Black King character.
40 years ago, I found myself immersed in the pages of Justice League No. 1, where the enigmatic character Maxwell Lord made his debut. This was hot on the heels of DC Comics’ monumental crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths, a turning point that saw the demise of beloved characters such as Supergirl and Barry Allen’s Flash. The comic book landscape was undergoing a transformation at this time, with titles being rejuvenated and new faces emerging, like Maxwell Lord. Interestingly, the cover of that very issue showcased a bold and defiant Green Lantern by the name of Guy Gardner, who was destined for greater adventures in Superman.
Although parts of the storytelling in the movie WW1984 were well executed, the character Lord didn’t seem as authentic as he was portrayed in the original work. In fact, some might argue that the most convincing live-action portrayal of Lord could have been achieved by The CW’s interpretation, where Peter Facinelli, known for his role in Twilight, breathed dignity and gravitas into the character on the small screen, engaging in intellectual battles with Melissa Benoist’s Supergirl in the Arrowverse.
With Gunn’s interpretation of Maxwell Lord being based on the comic books rather than past live-action portrayals, the intriguing aspects lie in determining when and where we might see the character as the leader of Lord Technologies, making a substantial impact instead of brief mentions or cameos. Additionally, speculation arises about which DCU hero will be the initial target of Lord’s manipulations. Lastly, there is curiosity as to whether the Maxwell Lord in the DCU will possess superpowers, similar to his comic book counterpart, or remain powerless.
Superman
opens in theaters on
July 11, 2025,
with or without Maxwell Lord.
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2024-08-18 02:03