Picture this: a genius billionaire who views himself as humanity's true savior, ready to clash and even collaborate with the world's greatest hero. That's the electrifying promise Nicholas Hoult is teasing for his role as Lex Luthor in James Gunn's highly anticipated Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. If you're a DC fan, this could redefine how we see one of the most iconic villains in comics – and it's got us all on the edge of our seats wondering just how deep they'll dive into his twisted psyche.
Nicholas Hoult, who first brought the DC Universe's version of Lex Luthor to life in the recent Superman film, is buzzing with enthusiasm about shaking things up in Man of Tomorrow. For those new to the character, Lex Luthor is Superman's arch-nemesis – a brilliant but ruthless inventor and CEO of LuthorCorp, driven by a deep-seated fear and hatred of the Man of Steel, whom he sees as a threat to human independence. In the original Superman movie, Lex met his initial downfall by ending up locked away in Belle Reve, the high-security prison that's home to some of the DCU's most dangerous criminals (think Task Force X from The Suicide Squad). But as fans saw in Peacemaker Season 2, Lex isn't down for the count. He cut a clever deal with A.R.G.U.S. Director Rick Flag Sr., the government agency that handles superhuman threats. In return for his expertise, Lex got relocated to a safer facility free of metahumans – no superpowered inmates to worry about there. Now, he's poised to play a pivotal role in capturing villains by banishing them to 'Salvation,' a mysterious alternate dimension that's currently holding just one guest: the anti-hero Peacemaker himself.
In a recent chat with GQ (check out the full interview here: https://www.gq.com/story/nicholas-hoult-jaeger-lecoultre-interivew), Hoult opened up about his preparations for Man of Tomorrow, which James Gunn has described as a story that belongs equally to Lex and Superman. 'I haven't gotten my hands on the script just yet, but fingers crossed it'll be soon,' Hoult shared with a grin. 'From what I've gathered through my initial research and character work in the first film, there's so much untapped potential here. I'm thrilled we're circling back to give it the exploration it deserves.' For beginners dipping into the DCU, this means Hoult isn't just reprising a role – he's gearing up to peel back layers of Lex's complex motivations, making the character feel fresh and unpredictable.
But here's where it gets controversial: how do you portray a character as vile as Lex without crossing lines? The GQ interviewer pressed Hoult on that very point, and he didn't hold back. 'Honestly, I love diving into roles like this,' he confessed. 'There's a liberating aspect to embodying a villain – no boundaries to what you can explore, since 'right' and 'wrong' aren't holding you back. It's fascinating to unpack their inner world, from that all-consuming obsession to the rigid ideologies that fuel them. You start to see why they justify their actions, even if the rest of us wouldn't.' This kind of depth could spark debates among fans: is Lex purely evil, or does his genius make him a tragic anti-hero in his own mind? Hoult's approach might just blur those lines in ways that challenge our preconceptions.
Hoult also gushed about his collaboration with James Gunn, the visionary behind Guardians of the Galaxy and the architect of this new DC era. 'Gunn is an incredible talent – sharp, inventive, and full of heart,' he said. 'I caught up with him just a couple of weeks back, chatting about the sequel and his bold vision for it. That's got me even more pumped to slip back into Lex's skin. There's endless ground to cover with this guy, including flipping audience expectations on their head. Returning to the role feels like an adventure waiting to happen.' Imagine the possibilities: Lex, with his intellect rivaling Superman's power, pushing the story into uncharted territory.
And this is the part most people miss: Man of Tomorrow isn't just a Superman sequel – it's set to evolve Lex in profound ways, especially as Gunn leans into the villain's self-perception as a protector of Earth. As Gunn put it last month, 'This won't mirror the first Superman at all. It's Lex's narrative too, intertwined with Clark Kent's, which shifts the entire tone.' Early concept art has fans hyped, depicting intense battles between Superman and Lex, but also hints of an unlikely partnership, with Lex suited up in his classic comic-book green-and-purple War Suit – a high-tech armor that turns him into a formidable physical match for the Kryptonian.
So, what cataclysmic danger could force these eternal foes to join forces? Fan theories are buzzing, and the top contender is Brainiac, the alien collector of worlds who's long been a staple Superman villain in the comics. Gunn has dropped subtle nods to Brainiac before, so it feels like a natural fit. In this scenario, A.R.G.U.S. might spring Lex from his confines to tackle the threat, sparking a tense, fragile team-up between the LuthorCorp mogul and the Last Son of Krypton. For newcomers, Brainiac represents ultimate intellect gone wrong – a collector who shrinks and bottles cities like trophies – making him the perfect foil to highlight Lex's own god-complex.
But let's stir the pot a bit: what if this alliance reveals that Lex's hatred for Superman stems from a deeper, almost relatable fear of losing control? Could it humanize him too much, or is that the controversial edge the DCU needs to stand out? Man of Tomorrow hits theaters on July 9, 2027, giving us plenty of time to speculate.
What do you think – can Superman and Lex truly team up without it all blowing up in their faces? Or is portraying Lex as a 'hero' in his own story a brilliant move that flips the script on superhero tropes? Share your hot takes in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're team alliance or team eternal rivalry!
