Who is Maxwell Lord? The Billionaire Pulling the Strings Behind Superman’s Justice Gang

Who is Maxwell Lord and Why is He Funding the Justice Gang in James Gunn’s Superman?

James Gunn’s Superman brings a fresh start to the DC Universe on the big screen. Unlike Zack Snyder’s darker, godlike heroes, Gunn’s world is lighter, with metahumans being a normal part of society. One of the new additions is the Justice Gang, a quirky superhero team bankrolled by billionaire Maxwell Lord. But who exactly is Maxwell Lord, and what’s his deal with the Justice Gang?

Introduction to Maxwell Lord’s role in the new Superman movie
Justice Gang’s place in the DCU and its connection to classic DC lore
Lord’s complex motivations based on comic book history
Appearances of Maxwell Lord in other media

Meet Maxwell Lord: The Billionaire Behind the Justice Gang

Maxwell Lord, played by Sean Gunn (James Gunn’s brother and frequent collaborator), makes a brief but memorable cameo in Superman. He cheekily mocks Lex Luthor, showing off his rivalry with the famous billionaire villain. Throughout the film, his name pops up several times, hinting at a bigger role.

The Justice Gang itself is still a work in progress, with a name that raises eyebrows. Their headquarters look like a nod to the classic Hall of Justice from the old Super Friends cartoons. This suggests that Gunn might be setting the stage for the Justice Gang to evolve into DC’s iconic superhero team, the Justice League.

What Does Maxwell Lord Want?

In the comics, Maxwell Lord isn’t just a generous backer. His goals are far from noble. He originally helped found the Justice League but aimed to control it for his own world-domination plans, aided by an alien computer. In Gunn’s movie, Superman inspiring the Justice Gang to intervene in global conflicts might actually be playing into Lord’s hands, making governments wary of their power.

Running a superhero team isn’t cheap. While Batman often funds the Justice League in other stories, Gunn’s universe seems separate from Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Lord’s financial support could be a double-edged sword — his “seed capital” might help the team grow, but with hidden agendas lurking beneath.

Comic book versions of Lord show him as a spymaster, sometimes working with or against Amanda Waller, and occasionally as a metahuman who can manipulate minds. It’s still unclear if Gunn will explore these darker traits in upcoming movies or shows.

Maxwell Lord Beyond Superman

Maxwell Lord has appeared in various forms across different DC media:

Wonder Woman 1984: Played by Pedro Pascal, Lord was the main villain who used the Dreamstone to grant wishes worldwide.
Supergirl (CW series): Portrayed by Peter Facinelli, Lord created a Bizarro version of Supergirl’s cousin.
Smallville (Season 9): Gil Bellows took the role of Lord as a leader in Amanda Waller’s agency Checkmate.
Justice League Unlimited: Voiced by Tim Matheson, Lord managed a government-backed team inspired by Super Friends, with some members genetically engineered and controlled via implanted memories.

Clearly, Maxwell Lord is a versatile character with a complicated past. His involvement in Gunn’s DC Universe could bring plenty of twists and turns, especially with the Justice Gang’s future on the line.

Lord and the Justice Gang also appear in the first trailer for Peacemaker season 2, where John Cena’s character tries (and fails) to join the group. This connection hints that Maxwell Lord’s influence will extend beyond Superman’s story.