Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Superman.

Superman just hit theaters, and with its release, audiences are seeing a new take on the Man of Steel’s arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. While the hero himself has been around for 87 years, his villainous counterpart first debuted in 1940. For context, that means that Lex’s DC history stretches back farther than Robin/Dick Grayson’s.

Nicholas Hoult plays the latest incarnation of Lex, and he draws inspiration from All-Star Superman, Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, and the hit WB series Smallville. Numerous actors have preceded Hoult in the role, bringing a difficult question: who did it best?

When adding in the element of how closely they adhere to the comics, it becomes a bit easier to sort through the various versions of the villain. Following on the heels of Superman’s release, here are all of the live-action portrayals of Lex Luthor ranked by comic accuracy:

11

Jesse Eisenberg

First Appeared in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Though the Snyderverse DC films have their fans, most audience members would agree that Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex missed the mark in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. To modernize the character, he took an approach inspired by the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, who he had played in The Social Network. Theoretically, this could have made Lex more relatable to modern audiences.

In Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Lex orchestrates a battle between the тιтular heroes in the hopes that they will wipe each other out. When this fails, he uses the remains of General Zod to create Doomsday. On paper, these are things that the comic Lex would absolutely do.

However, they are not executed in the best way. He looks, speaks, and acts nothing like the business tycoon and evil genius fans are accustomed to, with long hair and odd mannerisms such as force-feeding adult men jolly ranchers. Unfortunately, Eisenberg’s neurotic performance coupled with poor dialogue did not deliver on the potential of a Silicon Valley Lex.

Beyond his strange acting choices, Eisenberg’s Lex had little in common with the comic version. He shared the villain’s seething hatred of Superman but none of the gravitas. Moreover, it is hard to view this Riddler-like Lex as the counterpart to Henry Cavil’s brooding, serious Superman.

Originally, the actor was meant to reprise his role later in the DCEU in a form more akin to his usual depictions, something teased by his head being shaved at the end of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Since that never came to fruition, the only full-length appearance of Eisenberg’s Lex fails both as a compelling villain and as an adaptation.

10

тιтus Welliver

First Appeared In тιтans (2018)

тιтus Welliver portrayed Lex for a singular episode of the DC series тιтans. This iteration was described as “the only man Bruce Wayne was ever afraid of,” though that is not showcased in the series. It is less that Welliver’s Lex was expressly bad and more that we did not get to see very much of him.

He was a looming presence in тιтans throughout Superboy/Conner Kent’s storyline, so to introduce him and kill him off in one episode was a bit disappointing. Nonetheless, Welliver made the most of his screen time. A Lex who is interested in a father-son relationship with Superboy made for a different take than most live-action depictions.

Moreover, he is still shown outsmarting the тιтans as well as needling Starfire regarding her relationship with her sister. Additionally, his abusive upbringing is explored, featuring an alternate version of Lionel Luthor, who originated in Smallville. Despite this, his one appearance on the show offers a limited perspective of the character, and he is never shown opposite Superman.

9

Scott James Wells/Sherman Howard

First Appeared In Superboy (1988)

Far from a definitive version of the character, Superboy’s Lex is the stereotypical comic supervillain. While Welliver’s Lex had more dimension to him because of his relationship with Conner, this version was very much a cheesy, Silver Age Lex. Despite being played by both Scott James Wells and Sherman Howard, nothing especially new or interesting is brought to the table.

Superboy features a Lex who was raised by an abusive father and neglectful mother, before killing them for insurance money. If this sounds familiar, it is likely because it became part of Lionel’s origin in Smallville. He is already determined to take down Superboy/Clark Kent for interfering in his then low-level criminal schemes.

Regardless of how the writers played it safe with Lex’s characterization, both actors channel the era of comics that inspired Superboy. Perhaps other comic-accurate Lex actors have eclipsed both Wells and Howard with time, but they still filled the role of antagonist well within the series’ campy framework and represent a very specific part of Lex’s comic history.

8

Lyle Talbot

First Appeared In Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)

When evaluating Lex actors for comic accuracy, it’s vital to keep in mind the context of each performer. In 1950, Lex’s persona was less the businessman he’s come to be than a mad scientist and criminal mastermind. As such, Lyle Talbot’s role in Atom Man vs. Superman reflects this difference.

In the film serial, his whole plan involves creating a synthetic kryptonite to prevent Superman from thwarting his schemes. The biggest deviation from the source material is the choice to give Lex an alter ego, Atom Man.

Despite this change, the depiction of the supervillain falls in line with his Golden Age depiction. Regardless, it is interesting to view this Lex with a modern lens, given how much the character has evolved.

7

Kevin Spacey

First Appeared In Superman Returns (2006)

Kevin Spacey doesn’t deserve serious consideration among the best Lex actors, given what is best described as an underwhelming portrayal. His take on the villain attempts to balance Gene Hackman’s style with a more sinister modern edge, and the result is uneven at best.

Superman lore received a major overhaul between the Christopher Reeve era of films and Superman Returns. The Silver Age was replaced with the Post-Crisis continuity, and John Byrne redefined Superman’s origin. As a result, characters such as Lex were also altered.

Moreover, the superhero film landscape had changed, with films such as Batman Begins taking a more serious look at comic book characters. Superman Returns placed itself in a strange middle ground wherein it tried to modernize and replicate the older Superman films at the same time.

Lex falls victim to this as he’s given a similarly harebrained real estate scheme, yet he’s portrayed seriously. It’s a missed opportunity to either go all in on the campiness or take Lex in a new, darker direction.

6

Michael Cudlitz

First Appeared In Superman & Lois (2021)

Michael Cudlitz’ Lex serves as a replacement for Jon Cryer’s in the Arrowverse spinoff, Superman & Lois. He is by far one of the most brutal takes on the character, going so far as to stomp on Superman’s heart in front of his teenage son.

As far as comic accuracy, Cudlitz is less adherent to Lex’s usual story than he is to the character’s overall vibe and motivation. As per usual, he is both a businessman and a criminal mastermind, but this version sources his hatred for Superman from a personal vendetta. Lex blames both Superman and Lois Lane for his estrangement from his daughter.

Throughout his tenure on the show, Cudlitz hit similar notes to other Lex depictions, including using Doomsday to kill Superman. However, his acting style was more akin to Kingpin/Wilson Fisk. Nonetheless, Superman & Lois did something different while maintaining Lex’s core character.

5

John Shea

First Appeared In Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993)

John Shea’s Lex in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman is perhaps the first truly modern take on the character. Elements of the campiness present in Richard Donner’s Superman films remain, but he is a foil to Dean Cain’s Clark, down to being his romantic rival for Lois Lane. He’s more debonair than in past incarnations, but he retains his mad scientist roots.

Sure, this Lex has hair, but the blend of absurd scientific experiments and criminal schemes makes it very clear that this is the same villain audiences have loved to hate for decades. Initially, Lex grows disdainful of Superman for foiling his plans repeтιтively.

What truly holds him back is that he receives less focus as the series progresses. After being a series regular for the first season, he appeared as a guest star in seasons two and three.

In these later episodes, his motive for hating Superman devolves into his obsession with Lois’ affections. Still, Shea brings a different energy to Lex, one that feels suited to the romantic comedy-style appeal of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

4

Jon Cryer

First Appeared In Supergirl (2015)

Unlike Spacey’s version of the supervillain, Jon Cryer’s Lex from Supergirl and the Arrowverse is a prime example of how to bring the campy version of the character into the 21st century. His casting was met with trepidation, due in part to his abysmal turn as Lenny Luthor in Superman IV. Moreover, he is first and foremost a comedy star.

On top of that, he was cast to play the son of Brenda Strong, who is only five years his senior. In spite of all the factors working against him, Cryer delivered an entertaining, weaselly Lex who is believable as a threat in the same way as a cockroach you can’t seem to smash.

His Lex lacks the physical intimidation of most portrayals, but he was able to channel both the camp and the evil. Cryer holds his own within the Arrowverse, being one of its stronger performers overall. Working alongside Hackman seemed to have trained him well.

3

Gene Hackman

First Appeared In Superman: The Movie (1978)

Hackman was a gifted performer with many memorable roles under his belt, with Lex being one of the most iconic. His version of the character in Superman: The Movie is an arrogant, egotistical, and yes, campy villain who declares himself the greatest criminal mastermind in the world. He is dripping with sarcasm and disdain for those around him.

Despite the comical nature of his character, Lex is brutal in his selfishness, willing to use missiles to trigger an earthquake just for some prime real estate. This carries over into Hackman’s performances in Superman II and Superman IV, where he unapologetically puts himself ahead of everything else.

His hatred for Superman comes from a place of jealousy that is felt throughout his performance, especially in Superman. Though he isn’t reflective of the modern Lex, Hackman’s portrayal acts as a stepping stone from the Gold and Silver Ages to the Post-Crisis era. His influence on the character is still felt today, with even Hoult taking notes from him.

2

Michael Rosenbaum

First Appeared In Smallville (2001)

Like Hackman, Michael Rosenbaum made a significant mark as Lex in Smallville. The actor was not the first to portray a younger iteration of the supervillain, but he was the first to really dig into what made Lex tick. Interestingly, this version retained the backstory of having an abusive parent with a major twist: he was not self-made.

The popularity of Rosenbaum’s depiction changed both how Lex is often characterized and how fans view him. One such fan is Hoult himself.

An essential element to Rosenbaum’s Lex is his burgeoning friendship with a teenage Clark that later spirals into jealousy. Smallville takes its time building to Lex’s descent into evil, truly making the audience care about him. This means that even at his most evil and calculated, Rosenbaum’s villain retains the smallest shred of sympathy.

As mentioned, Lionel originated from this series, being depicted as Lex’s detached business tycoon father. His role in the story was initially to be a cautionary tale before undergoing a redemption arc and becoming an ally of Clark. Lionel proved popular enough that he made the jump to DC Comics proper.

The idea of Lex and Superman knowing each other from a young age has its roots in the Silver Age, but Smallville takes this concept and runs with it. Likewise, major Lex arcs such as becoming the President of the United States are paid homage to.

Even with the series’ many deviations from the source material, Rosenbaum crafts a Lex that could believably become Superman’s nemesis. Moreover, the popularity of his depiction changed both how Lex is often characterized and how fans view him. One such fan is Hoult himself.