How James Gunn’s Lex Luthor Outsmarts Superman Like Never Before
James Gunn Reinvents Lex Luthor in the New Superman Movie
Lex Luthor has always been Superman’s brainy nemesis, a man without superpowers but with plenty of brains and resources. In the latest Superman film directed by James Gunn, Luthor gets a fresh, clever makeover that stays true to his mastermind roots while giving him a new edge in the battle against the Man of Steel.
- How James Gunn’s Lex Luthor battles Superman without superpowers
- The clever use of a Superman clone and high-tech armor
- Connections to Marvel’s Mysterio and classic comic inspirations
- The role of teamwork and inspiration in Superman’s victory
- What’s next for Lex Luthor in Gunn’s DC Universe?
A New Kind of Threat: Brain Over Brawn
Superman is famously powerful, so it’s always been a challenge to make Lex Luthor a believable threat. Instead of giving Luthor superpowers, Gunn takes a different approach: Luthor controls a hulking armored figure called the Hammer of Boravia, who fights Superman on his behalf. Inside this armor is Ultraman, a clone of Superman created from his DNA, making the battle intense but controlled by Luthor’s strategic mind.
This setup is very reminiscent of Marvel’s Mysterio from Spider-Man: Far From Home, who also uses illusions and a team behind the scenes to trick the hero. Just like Mysterio, Luthor spends years planning, studying Superman’s moves, and orchestrating a battle that suits his style perfectly. He even manipulates Boravia’s leader to serve his own war agenda, a nod to classic Luthor schemes seen in the 1978 and 2006 Superman movies.
Lex Luthor’s Character Depth and Motivation
James Gunn’s Luthor isn’t just a villain for the sake of being evil. He sees himself as a champion of human potential, viewing Superman as a threat to humanity’s freedom and ambition. Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal captures this perfectly—Luthor is petty, sadistic, and jealous, but also painfully honest about his limitations. He admits that only through years of scheming could he create a credible challenge for someone as powerful as Superman.
In a way, this Luthor feels more real and relatable because he isn’t just about power but about intellect and control. His confidence often leads to classic villain monologues, like when he gloats about having Superman trapped in a sunless dimension, guarded by living Kryptonite.
Superman’s Greatest Strength: Inspiration and Teamwork
While Luthor masters the physical fight, he doesn’t fully grasp what makes Superman truly strong: his ability to inspire others. Superman breaks free with help from Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), rallies the Justice Gang to stop Luthor’s plans in Boravia, and relies on Lois Lane’s investigative skills to expose Luthor’s crimes. Even his kindness to the superpowered dog Krypto plays a role in the final showdown.
After his defeat, Luthor is sent to Belle Reve, the base for Amanda Waller’s Task Force X, hinting at bigger roles in the future of Gunn’s DC Universe. With the Justice Gang set to evolve into the Justice League, fans can expect Luthor to step up as a major antagonist, potentially leading the Legion of Doom.
More on James Gunn’s Inspiration
Gunn has mentioned that Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman was a major influence on his 2025 Superman movie, especially in how Luthor is portrayed. However, instead of following that story’s exact plot, Gunn focuses on Luthor’s intellect and ambition as the core of his villainy.
