The Real Reason Superman Should Be Terrified Of Lex Luthor

One of the most enduring rivalries in comic book lore is between Superman and Lex Luthor, a feud that has captivated audiences for over seven decades since their initial encounter. This battle isn’t just about good versus evil; it goes deeper. Superman symbolizes truth, justice, and a brighter future. He’s an all-powerful hero with a heart of gold, which is something Lex Luthor finds unbearable. The primary reason for Lex’s intense hatred towards Superman lies in the fact that people adore him for his honesty – a quality even wealth can’t purchase. In certain storylines, Lex also despises Superman because Superboy allegedly caused Lex to lose his hair, but the majority of this animosity originates from the former explanation.

Audience members will have the opportunity to witness the latest installment of the ongoing battle between good and evil in the upcoming movie “Superman,” directed by James Gunn. In this production, David Corenswet plays the titular DC character who has been utilizing his powers for some time, while Nicholas Hoult portrays Lex Luthor, a character evidently hatching a plan to eliminate what he sees as a significant menace. Although the specifics of Lex’s scheme remain unclear at this stage, we can gather some details from trailer excerpts. Additionally, there is valuable information to be found in comic books and past Superman adaptations suggesting the extent of the danger that Lex poses.

It might appear unusual to suggest that Superman should fear Lex Luthor, given his extraordinary abilities like super strength, flight, and heat vision. However, history has shown that Lex is no ordinary adversary for Superman, the Man of Steel. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this claim.

This Superman can bleed

In the groundbreaking initial trailer for James Gunn’s “Superman,” we find our title character landing heavily into a snowbank, visibly injured and bleeding. This is an unprecedented portrayal of the hero, as he is typically immune to physical harm. Bleeding is not common for him, but exceptions have been made, such as during the “Death of Superman” storyline where he perished while fighting Doomsday. Interestingly, the Superman played by Tyler Hoechlin in “Superman & Lois” also bled while confronting Doomsday. Therefore, the battered state of the Superman in the forthcoming film suggests a formidable force exists within this new DC Universe to have caused such damage to the Man of Steel.

It’s improbable that Lex Luthor physically assaulted Superman to such an extent, but given his resources, he likely has plenty of powerful minions and gadgets capable of causing this damage. Such a feat requires tremendous power, suggesting that Superman is in for something extremely severe at the hands of our nemesis, Mr. Luthor.

In the storyline of Superman, his injuries not only advance the plot but also symbolically represent the current state of the United States – struggling and divided. This depiction might have caught some off-guard, but recall that what truly defines Superman is his resilience; no matter how beaten he may be, he always rises again, which could potentially provoke Lex Luthor.

This Lex Luthor could be President (or President-elect)

One factor that makes Lex Luthor such a formidable adversary is his vast influence, which stems from his wealth as a business magnate. He often manages to find ways out of difficult situations and has even held the prestigious position of President of the United States in comic books. This makes it harder for Superman to thwart Luthor’s plans when he’s deeply involved in American institutions. It seems that James Gunn’s “Superman” may present a more politically-oriented portrayal of the villain.

In one of the previews, Lois Lane (played by Rachel Brosnahan) interrogates Clark about whether he sought advice from the President before entering a foreign conflict. A sly smile from Lex Luthor follows, suggesting that he could be in control during the movie’s events, or at least have political aspirations and be prepared to launch a presidential campaign. It’s plausible that the film would take this turn, as Lex might be attempting to govern the U.S., while Superman remains the focus of media attention and distracts from Lex’s own activities.

In the “Justice League Unlimited” animated series, President Lex Luthor poses a significant threat. He exploits his control over nuclear codes to hold the world captive, and it’s up to Superman to put an end to this danger. However, in Gunn’s version of events, Superman is less likely to transgress moral boundaries. Having Lex Luthor as a CEO was challenging enough, but his rise to the presidency could spell trouble for Superman on an unprecedented scale.

Lex Luthor will probably sport a warsuit

When considering the most formidable adversaries of Superman, it’s debatable whether Lex Luthor, despite his legendary status, would make it to the top of the list. While he’s undeniably intelligent and influential, there’s a noticeable absence of raw power. To stage an authentic Superman versus Lex Luthor battle, comic creators often equip him with his signature green and purple battlesuit, which significantly increases his chances against the Man of Steel. Interestingly, it seems that Lex might acquire this suit in the forthcoming movie.

The newly revealed “Superman” action figure collection features characters such as Superman, Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), and Lex Luthor. Unlike previous portrayals of Lex Luthor in a business suit, this version is equipped with armor, a look that’s been popularized in comics and animated series. In the trailers so far, Lex hasn’t been seen wearing an armored suit, and it remains uncertain if he will wear one in the movie. It’s worth noting that while toys have often revealed plot details in the past, they may not always reflect what we see on the big screen.

From one perspective, it might be unlikely for Lex to engage in dirty work given his association with Angela Spica, also known as the Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría). She’s a highly influential member of the Authority, an exceptional DC supergroup that is set to star in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s upcoming DC cinematic universe. However, from another perspective, Lex may desire to prove his personal strength, even superiority over a Kryptonian, especially if he aspires to or already holds the position of president. Defeating Superman, even while equipped with an advanced warsuit, could be exactly what he needs to feed his immense ego.

Even without the suit, this Lex is jacked

Without his war suit, Lex Luthor usually poses no significant physical danger to Superman. This is why previous versions, such as Gene Hackman and Jesse Eisenberg, have focused on the character’s intelligence. However, Nicholas Hoult’s interpretation will set itself apart by not only showcasing exceptional intellect but also a muscular physique. Hoult has revealed that he drew inspiration from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s “All-Star Superman,” which features a scene where Lex flaunts his muscles to Clark Kent, highlighting the effort he put into building them.

Lex sees himself as more worthy or superior than Superman because he believes he’s earned everything he has through hard work, while Superman was instantly admired by people on Earth due to his powers. The fact that Hoult bulked up to play Lex doesn’t necessarily make him a threat to Superman, but it shows the mindset Lex is in. This new Lex will have an excessive interest or fixation in proving himself superior to Superman, even in insignificant things.

It’s quite amusing that Lex, who aspires to be muscular to prove he can handle things independently, often portrays a hypocritical character. From “Smallville” to “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” we see various depictions of Lex Luthor, a character who inherited his wealth, which contradicts the idea of him being self-made that’s often emphasized in his biography.

Lex Luthor has kryptonite handy

In every DC universe, the most straightforward method for Lex Luthor to diminish Superman is by exploiting his main vulnerability – kryptonite. The query in each reality, however, revolves around how Lex manages to secure some, given that it’s a radioactive element from Superman’s home planet, Krypton. A “Superman” trailer suggests Lex and the Engineer burglarize Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, which could mean he finds some kryptonite there. Yet, there exists another, more perilous way for him to employ this mineral.

As a dedicated gamer, I found myself captivated by the latest trailer where they showed a scene that got my attention. In this sequence, we see Superman in captivity, escorted to a cell that houses Metamorpho, a DC Universe hero with a unique ability – he can alter his body into various elements. The green glow emanating from his hand hints at the presence of kryptonite, a substance known to be lethal to Superman. With our Man of Steel appearing vulnerable, it looks like Metamorpho may have been recruited by Lex, whether willingly or not. If that’s true, then Luthor can relax knowing he won’t lose or destroy any kryptonite pieces. Instead, he can simply command Metamorpho to create it whenever needed and inflict as much pain on Superman as he desires.

Luthor’s intellect keeps him multiple steps ahead of everyone else

Regardless of Lex Luthor’s high-tech armor or infinite supply of kryptonite, what truly makes him a formidable adversary for Superman is his intelligence. He appears to be strategizing multiple steps in advance, often outsmarting the Man of Steel even when it seems like victory is within reach. In fact, many times, what looks like a defeat for Superman is actually part of Lex’s intricate plan.

In “All-Star Superman,” Lex devises a scheme where he jeopardizes a space mission, compelling Superman to venture into outer space to save the crew. During this journey, Superman encounters an overpowering amount of solar radiation, which amplifies his strength but also initiates a slow and deadly process within him. Although Superman ultimately survives, he departs Earth to mend the Sun. This incident represents one of Lex’s most significant attempts at ridding the world of Superman, even though it seems that he starts to change his ways once understanding the true intentions of his adversary for the planet’s welfare.

In a straightforward manner, one could say: Lex Luthor demonstrates his genius at shaping public perception, particularly evident during his presidential campaign in “Justice League Unlimited.” His true aim is to tarnish Superman’s reputation, as revealed in the episode “Clash.” Here, Superman suspects that Lex is plotting something catastrophic with the construction of his new city, Lexor City. Although Superman’s suspicions prove incorrect, the city, intended for low-income housing, gets demolished, casting a negative light on Superman. Keep in mind, things may not be as they seem when it comes to Lex Luthor in the upcoming “Superman.

Lex Luthor has powerful allies

In James Gunn’s “Superman,” Lex Luthor will not act alone; he’ll have the aid of a formidable character known as the Engineer. This comic book figure possesses an exceptional command over machinery, even nanites integrated within her own body. A glimpse of this skill is shown in the trailer, where her hands morph into lethal buzzsaws, potentially causing harm or even cutting through Superman’s invulnerable frame.

One lesser-known character worth watching is Maxwell Lord, portrayed by Sean Gunn. Similar to Lex Luthor, he’s a billionaire, but what sets him apart is his rumored psychic abilities. In the comic book “Wonder Woman” #219 (written by Greg Rucka, Tom Derenick, Georges Jeanty, Karl Kerschl, David Lopez, and Rags Morales), he even managed to overpower Superman, using his powers to control the Man of Steel. The only way to free Superman from Lord’s influence was for Wonder Woman to make a controversial decision – killing Lord. It remains uncertain whether Gunn’s version of Lord will possess these same abilities or if he’ll be just another wealthy character for Lex Luthor to interact with, but don’t underestimate him.

It appears that the character portrayed as Lord in the film seems to be orchestrating the actions of other superheroes, such as Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl (played by Isabela Merced), and Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion). Their suits bearing the LordTech logo imply they’re working for this billionaire. If this Lord character and his associates feel Superman is becoming too independent, it might lead to conflicts. In other words, Superman has more than just Lex Luthor to deal with in the film.

An evil Superman could be Lex’s ace in the hole

In James Gunn’s version of Superman, Lex Luthor seems to have quite a few allies, but there’s one that still leaves us guessing. The trailers depict a character in a black suit with a “U” symbol on their chest engaging in combat with the main hero. A hint about this enigmatic figure has been provided by a toy, as an action figure modeled after this character is labeled “Ultraman.

In an alternate universe, Ultraman serves as the malevolent counterpart to Superman, with each member of the Justice League transformed into villains in this reality, forming the Crime Syndicate. These two groups have frequently come into conflict, such as in the animated movie “Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.” Notably, Ultraman shares similar strength and abilities with Superman, leading to intense confrontations between the two characters. This dynamic may account for why Ultraman appears to dominate Superman in the trailer.

It seems reasonable to think that Ultraman is collaborating with Lex and, by association, the Engineer, but there’s still the query about whether this is actually the same Ultraman comic book enthusiasts are familiar with. Could he hail from another dimension? The multiverse is quite trendy at present, yet it might be too complex to introduce in the initial film of the new DCU. It could be that the character will bear the name Ultraman, but will merely be a clone or something less extraordinary than an interdimensional menace. So far, all we can confirm is this being possesses enough strength to knock Superman onto and through the pavement.

A lot of people aren’t going to like Superman

In James Gunn’s perspective, his upcoming film portrays Superman embodying modern-day America amidst our deeply fragmented society. Given this context, the Man of Steel will face not just adversaries like Lex Luthor, the Engineer, Ultraman, Max Lord, and the Justice League, but also the challenges posed by the general populace. This is hinted at in the trailers where a disheartened Superman walks past people who jeer at him, with one individual even hurling a can at his direction.

One significant cause for Superman to feel apprehensive about Lex is that it would be relatively simple for him to sway public opinion against Superman. After all, Superman is an extraterrestrial being who doesn’t always align with the goals of the U.S. government. With his extraordinary abilities, he has the power to do whatever he pleases without restraint. This could potentially lead people to believe that someone as powerful as Superman might pose a threat, especially if Lex exploits xenophobia and convinces the public that they too should fear Superman, despite the fact that he consistently demonstrates his intention to aid humanity.

One thing stands out: It’s tough enough for an individual to dislike you, Lex. But given his considerable power as a business magnate and potential politician, Lex could sway public sentiment strongly against the Last Son of Krypton. He has the ability to orchestrate situations that portray Superman as the villain, and when it seems like the entire world is against you, it’s no surprise why Superman appears so somber in the trailers we’ve seen thus far.

“Superman” arrives in theaters on July 11.

2025-05-27 23:31