James Gunn took a huge risk with Superman‘s main villain, but Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor was ultimately the perfect choice for the Man of Steel’s DCU debut. The DCU’s first movie sets the foundations for a long individual journey for David Corenswet’s Superman. But also, three years before the events of the movie, the DCU’s Man of Steel had already fought several enemies.

By the time James Gunn’s Superman begins, the world already knows Superman as a superhero icon. Superman has saved Metropolis citizens dozens of times, and he has seemingly fought supervillains like Metallo, according to Superman‘s comic book prequel. As usual, at some point before the movie, Lex Luthor developed an obsession with the Man of Steel.

Lex Luthor’s Debut In Superman Was A Bold Move From James Gunn

Before 2025, Lex Luthor had already been Superman’s main antagonist in numerous films and shows. From Gene Hackman’s campy businessman to Jesse Eisenberg’s eccentric DCEU tech mogul, Lex Luthor has co-starred in almost every Superman adaptation. Luthor’s main villain role in Superman initially seemed repeтιтive, especially considering Superman leads to an expansive universe full of characters from all corners of DC Comics.

Despite being the face of DC, Superman has rarely fought most of his comic book villains on the big screen. Besides Lex Luthor and General Zod, only Doomsday and Darkseid have been introduced in a DC movie. In theory, other DC villains like Brainiac or Mongul could have offered fresh stakes to James Gunn’s Superman.

The DCU’s Lex Luthor Surpᴀsses Previous Portrayals In His Debut Movie

Undeniably, Nicholas Hoult delivered the ultimate version of Lex Luthor. Both unapologetically petty and brilliant, Luthor’s resentment toward David Corenswet’s Superman is clearly rooted in his insecurities. Hoult’s Luthor is cunning enough to threaten Superman with intellect alone, yet often blinded by his desperate need to win. James Gunn’s film perfectly encapsulates Luthor’s fragile ego and its vulnerability to Superman’s unshakable ideals.

Remarkably, Nicholas Hoult’s Luthor shares the spotlight equally with Corenswet’s Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, even in Superman‘s marketing. No previous Superman movie had given Lex Luthor such prominence, including the critically panned Superman Returns. If anything, only Smallville‘s lead trio rivals this balance, and the series had ten years to develop it.

James Gunn Is Setting Up The Best Superman & Lex Luthor Movie Feud

Unlike previous live-action adaptations, James Gunn’s Superman wastes no time building up Lex Luthor and Superman’s enmity. Right from the start, Hoult’s Luthor is putting all his efforts into eliminating Superman. This storytelling choice gives Superman and Luthor’s dynamic an immediate urgency that allows future films to explore more innovative confrontations.

Because Superman and Lex Luthor’s relationship begins so fully formed, the door is wide open for a gradual evolution of their true archnemesis relationship. Most superhero rivalries never reach this stage. After the events of Gunn’s Superman, Hoult and Corenswet could finally give DC fans the long-term feud that’s often reserved for the comics.