James Gunn’sDC Universehas the opportunity to do what Zack Snyder wanted with Lex Luthor but never got to, and a new update makes me more confident that will happen.Lex Luthor is one of DC’s most iconic villainsever, with the Joker being the only one I would rank above him. That shows his importance to the franchise.
Both the DCEU and the new DCU understood that, which is why the two live-action franchises had/have big plans for the character. While I was not a fan ofJesse Eisenberg’s version of Lex in the DCEU, where he was headed was interesting. I believe thatDC’s future moviescould end up going in the same direction with his replacement.
That would be Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, who makes his DCU debut alongsideDavid Corenswet’s Supermanin the hero’s new movie. So far, I have loved everything I have seen from Hoult’s Lex.The character really feels like the Luthor from the comics, which Eisenberg’s never did. That is why I’m excited about how he could have the endgame Snyder teased.
Lex Luthor Will Be The Superman Movie’s Main Villain Despite All The Threats
The DCU’s First Movie Features Quite A Few Villains
Right from the start, Gunn was adamant that Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor would be the main villain of Superman. That does not mean that he will be the DCU movie’s only threat, asSupermantrailers have shown thata kaiju, Ultraman, the Hammer of Boravia, the Engineer, and a sun-like creature will engage the Man of Steelthroughout the film.
Gunn claimed that there is not a bad thing happening in Metropolis that Lex does not have his finger on.
Superman movie merch has revealed Lex Luthor’s warsuitfrom the comics. This teases thatLuthor will be both an intellectual and physical threat to the Man of Steelin the movie. Despite Lex and Superman sharing some interesting moments in the trailers, the character’s influence will be felt not only when he appears, but through every single threat in Metropolis.
Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, James Gunn explained how far Luthor’s reach extends in the film.According to the Superman movie’s director, “Lex is connected to everything.“Gunn claimed that there is not a bad thing happening in Metropolis that Lex does not have his finger on. He is Superman’s ultimate villain and is seemingly coordinating several threats in the film.
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor Has A Long Future Confirmed For The DCU
DC Will Not Stop Using The Villain Any Time Soon
Lex Luthor’s story setup inSupermanis exciting. However, that will not be the end of the road for the character in the DCU — far from it. During a Superman movie set visit thatScreenRantand other outlets attended,Lois Lane actress Rachel Brosnahanrevealedshe would be happy to stay in the DCU for 10-15 years.
It seems like the same could go for Lex. Recently, DC Studios' co-CEO, Peter Safran, spoke toOmeleteabout how long Lex Luthor could stay in the franchise. According to Safran, they have plans for Luthor in the DCU beyondSuperman, withNicholas Hoult’s character being seen as “a very important character” for the futureof the new DC Universe.
María Gabriela De Faría
Angela Spica/The Engineer
Supermanhas already broken trailer and pre-sales records leading up to its release. The movie is also projected to have a healthy opening weekend worldwide. IfSupermanis as successful as all signs point will be the case, thena Superman movie trilogy in the DCU and more could be in Hoult’s Lex Luthor future, including a Zack Snyder connection.
Zack Snyder Wanted Lex Luthor To Form A Team
The DCEU Teased That Outcome But It Never Really Happened
Snyder directed three movies in the DCEU:Man of Steel,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, andZack Snyder’s Justice League. After a string of divisive releases in the franchise, Snyder was phased out of the DCEU, with his plans for Justice League sequels never materializing and the director’s vision for the team’s first film only being released years later.
Snyder had big plans for Jesse Einsenberg’s Lex Luthor.The director wanted to see Lex create the Injustice League inJustice League 2, and the team would have been successful at killing a few major heroes. The Injustice League’s roster would have includedWonder Woman’s Doctor Poison, Captain Cold, Ocean Master, Black Manta, and the Riddler alongside Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor.
2017’sJustice LeagueandZack Snyder’s Justice Leaguenever managed to reach that endgame. In the movie’s theatrical cut,Lex met Deathstroke and suggested they should form a league of their own, teasing the Injustice League’s debut. In the Snyder Cut, Lex’s prison escape was more detailed, and he told Slade Wilson that Bruce Wayne was Batman instead.
Why The Injustice League Makes Sense For The DCU
Based on how Peter Safran revealed that Lex Luthor will be key to the DCU beyondSupermanand how the villain is seemingly in control of all the threats in the film, I think that the Injustice League endgame for Lex could finally come in the DCU. Firstly,Supermanwill introduce the Justice Gang.
The superhero team includes Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific, and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl and operates out of the Hall of Justice. It is clear that this isthe primitive version of the DCU’s Justice League. As it stands, the DCU’s many heroes are starting to assemble, and after Luthor inevitably loses to Superman, so should its villains.
The Injustice League would be Lex’s perfect answer to the Justice Gang. With James Gunn’s DC Universe closer to the comics than Zack Snyder’s DCEU, I think the villain team makes even more sense for the franchise. The Injustice League seems like a natural progression to Lex having a finger on the pulse of theDCU’s threats, using Snyder’s endgame.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
