Lex Luthor is back. But honestly, if you were expecting another eccentric tech-bro or a scenery-chewing real estate mogul, James Gunn has some surprises for you. Nicholas Hoult’s take on the character in the 2025 Superman isn't just a reboot. It’s a restoration.
For years, fans felt like the movies were missing the point of Lex. He’s supposed to be the smartest man in the room, yet he often ended up looking like a guy who just needed a better therapist. This time, things are different. Gunn’s version, heavily inspired by All-Star Superman and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, brings back the cold, calculating scientist who thinks he’s the hero of his own story.
He’s petty. He’s brilliant. And he’s absolutely convinced that Superman is the worst thing to ever happen to Earth.
The "Sorcerer" of Science
James Gunn described Lex Luthor to Nicholas Hoult as a "sorcerer." That sounds weird for a guy who builds robots, right? But it makes sense when you see how he operates. He isn't just running a business. He’s manipulating the very fabric of Metropolis.
In the film, Lex doesn't just want to kill Superman; he wants to prove Superman is unnecessary. He views the Man of Steel as an alien intruder who makes humanity lazy. Why should people strive for greatness when a guy in a cape can just fly down and fix everything? It's a classic motivation, but Hoult plays it with a raw, "ruthless" edge that we haven’t really seen on the big screen before.
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He’s the CEO of LuthorCorp—a name that Smallville fans will recognize instantly. This isn't just a nod to the past. It signals a Lex who is a "nepo-baby" struggling to emerge from his father’s shadow while demanding the world’s adoration. He wants love. He wants "words of affirmation," as Hoult joked in interviews. But because he’s a sociopath, he can’t understand why people love a god-like alien more than a self-made billionaire.
No Origin Story Needed
One of the best things about the 2025 Superman is that it skips the preamble. We don’t need to see how Lex lost his hair or how he met Clark Kent.
The movie drops us right into a world where Superman is already active and Lex already hates his guts. They haven't even met in person when the story starts. Instead, Lex is plotting from the shadows, treating Superman like a puzzle to be solved.
Wait, there’s a twist. Lex actually manages to frame Superman. By manipulating an international conflict in the nation of Boravia, Lex turns public opinion against the Man of Steel. This isn't just about Kryptonite. It’s about optics. Lex uses his "magician level" intelligence to outmaneuver a hero who usually wins by being the strongest person in the room.
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What Makes This Version Different?
- The Physique: Hoult actually worked out for the role. In All-Star Superman, Lex is obsessed with physical perfection because he hates that Superman was born with power while he had to earn his.
- The Pettiness: This Lex is "petty as hell." He isn't some grand philosopher. He’s a guy who feels personally insulted by Superman’s existence.
- The Gadgets: Gone are the days of Lex just being a businessman. He’s a scientist again. He uses high-tech weaponry, including a version of the iconic Lexosuit (or Warsuit) seen in the movie's merchandise.
The Boravia Incident and the Pocket Universe
In the film’s plot, Lex’s brilliance is on full display. He orchestrates a conflict that leads to Superman being detained by the U.S. government. They actually hand Superman over to Luthor for "questioning."
Think about that.
Luthor traps Superman in an artificial pocket universe. He even uses Metamorpho’s infant son as leverage to force the hero into a powerless state using Kryptonite. It’s dark. It’s calculated. It shows a Lex Luthor who isn't just a rival—he’s a predator.
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He even manages to capture Krypto the Superdog. Honestly, if you want to make an audience hate a villain, having him mess with a dog is a pretty effective way to do it. But even then, the movie allows you to see Lex's perspective. He truly believes that by removing Superman, he is "saving" humanity from a dangerous influence.
Why This Lex Matters Now
The 2025 Superman feels like a turning point because it stops trying to make Lex a "cool" villain. He’s a warning about what happens when arrogance meets unlimited resources. He could cure diseases. He could end poverty. But he’d rather spend billions of dollars trying to kill one guy because his ego can’t handle being second best.
If you’re looking for actionable ways to dive deeper into this version of the character, start here:
- Read "Lex Luthor: Man of Steel" by Brian Azzarello. It’s the primary text for understanding the "humanist" but villainous Lex that Nicholas Hoult is channeling.
- Watch the "All-Star Superman" animated movie. It captures the specific dynamic of Lex’s jealousy better than almost any other medium.
- Keep an eye on the "Gods and Monsters" chapter. This film is just the beginning. Lex is being set up as a long-term threat for the entire DC Universe, not just a one-and-done villain.
Lex Luthor is finally the "sorcerer" of science he was always meant to be. He’s scary not because he’s strong, but because he’s right—at least in his own head. And that makes him the most dangerous man on Earth.