Home Cinema James Gunn’s Superman Looks Awesome, But I’m Worried the Movie Will Make a Major Villain Mistake

James Gunn’s Superman Looks Awesome, But I’m Worried the Movie Will Make a Major Villain Mistake

Isabella Smith
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James Gunn’s Superman Looks Awesome, But I’m Worried the Movie Will Make a Major Villain Mistake


2025 is full of superhero movies and TV series from Marvel and DC. As the MCU looks to rebuild its brand after a mixed reception so far to the Multiverse saga with pivotal projects underway, the new DCU looks to prove its worth as a competitor playing in the same space. DC Studios kicked off its soft reboot with Creature Commandos last month, but James Gunn’s is coming Superman the film has larger implications for the franchise. The film’s trailer gives us the best idea of ​​what to expect as it offers a glimpse of the scale of the film and all of the different characters that will appear, ranging from Lois Lane to Mister Terrific.

Gunn’s first DCU film appears to be the ultimate Superman film with aspirations of delivering a crowd-pleasing hit for a hero who is easily one of the hardest to adapt for. One of the most exciting elements that will make up Superman is Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. I’m looking forward to Hoult’s portrayal as Lex Luthor because it’s an inspired casting choice and because the previous live-action version of the character ultimately disappointed me. So while I’m excited, I’m also a little worried about Gunn’s choice. Supermanthe main villain of.

Lex Luthor has been the villain in most Superman movies and shows

After the Joker, Lex Luthor is DC’s greatest villain, and so the two characters have been in many different adaptations over the years. Lex Luthor absolutely belongs in the DCU and I hope he plays a major role in it for a long time, similar to Loki’s run in the MCU. Lex Luthor is an incredibly complex villain who has such a fascinating relationship with Superman, to the point where the two are on the same side. However, Lex Luthor has also starred in many Superman films at this point, and I worry that might turn off some audience members.

“The most exciting thing about this Lex is being in a James Gunn universe. Like you said, so raw and emotionally powerful, but huge in the scope of the world and what he creates. And I think, with this Lex, I mean, obviously, he’s smart and ruthless and has to outsmart Superman on some levels, because he can’t match him on others. there is also something in this character, I hope, from my point of view, where even though “you may not agree with his approach, there is an element that allows you to understand, on certain levels, where he is coming from. and why perhaps what he advocates as an ideology is perhaps better for humanity.” – Nicholas Hoult teases his version of Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Suprman.

Gene Hackman first appeared as Lex Luthor in 1978. Superman and went on to reprise the role in its sequel Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. When Bryan Singer took over the franchise with The Return of Supermanhe cast Kevin Spacey in the iconic role. Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe also used Lex Luthor, who appeared primarily in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Not to mention the fact that Lex Luthor has also appeared in many live-action DC shows. While Gunn may be looking to incorporate as much of the traditional Superman story as possible to make the best film, the inclusion of Lex Luthor might be a corner that could have waited for a sequel. Matt Reeves only teased the Joker in The Batmanand it was a smart decision that Gunn could have followed for Superman.

Nicholas Hoult And and an image of Superman from All-Star Superman.

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Man of Steel Proved a Superman Movie Doesn’t Need Lex Luthor

General Zod from Man of Steel
Image from CBR

  • Terence Stamp first played General Zod in 1978. Superman And Superman II.

  • Man of Steel is only the second Superman film not to feature Lex Luthor, who is only referenced with Easter eggs throughout the film.

The last time Warner Bros. rebooted Superman, the studio decided not to deal with its most iconic villain, the same way Christopher Nolan got off to a successful start. The Dark Knight Trilogy. Instead of pitting Superman against Lex Luthor, Man of Steel made General Zod the main villain. Michael Shannon’s portrayal of General Zod, along with his motivations, is one of the most remarkable parts of Man of Steela film full of other highs. Man of Steel This wasn’t the first time General Zod appeared in a Superman film, but it’s notable because Lex Luthor isn’t in it.

Henry Cavill's Superman alongside David Corenswet's Superman

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Man of Steel only refers to Lex Luthor with LexCorp buildings and trucks seen in the background of scenes. Jesse Eisenberg would play Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicebut Warner Bros. notably resisted the villain because he’s a character you could build up to. Now at Gunn Superman it’s not an origin story like Man of Steel was, so General Zod’s placement in the story made perfect sense since he’s also from Krypton. Yet, out of all the Superman films, Man of Steel is still one of the rare cases where Lex Luthor doesn’t appear and proves that his nemesis doesn’t need to be part of the story.

James Gunn Could Have Easily Used Another Superman Villain

A composite image shows Livewire, Bizzarro and Braniac
Image via CBR.

  • There are an endless supply of Superman villains who have yet to appear in a live-action film.

  • Introducing another Superman villain would have been a great way to make him different from the previous films in the franchise.

Batman and Spider-Man notoriously have the most powerful Rogue Gallery in comics, but Superman isn’t far behind. Despite Brainiac, Darkseid, Mongul, Metallo, Parasite, Bizarro and others making up Superman’s list of enemies, live-action films have largely focused on Lex Luthor. Now, it’s speculated that other Superman films like Ultraman and Parasite could appear in Gunn’s next film, but the filmmaker also shared that Lex Luthor will indeed be the main villain.

It still shocks me that Brainiac has never appeared in a live-action Superman movie, and starting with him as the main villain of the first DCU movie would have been a good way to differentiate him from previous versions. But I also understand that the villain of a movie comes down to the story. Therefore, it appears Gunn is looking to tell another narrative with Lex Luthor at the center of the conflict. I just hope it doesn’t sound too familiar, because using another of Superman’s great villains could have given audiences something more refreshing. Gunn is also known for thriving with lesser-known characters, so it’s a bit surprising to see him using Superman’s most notable villain and not someone new.

There’s a lot to hope for and a lot at stake with Gunn’s Superman as it officially launches the new DCU franchise. Although the upcoming film is already different from previous versions, a villain is an important part of the story, and making him Lex Luthor again could easily make him feel like a derivative of previous Superman installments. Gunn has the difficult task of offering a version of Superman that is both traditional and modern. Incorporating new wrinkles like Krypto the Superdog and other heroes is one way for Gunn to accomplish this, but will it be enough since they play supporting roles?

Image of David Corenswet's Superman and James Gunn alongside a silhouette of Brainiac.

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Gunn’s last two Guardians of the Galaxy the films delivered some of the best villains in the MCU, but the first film also featured one of the most forgettable with Ronan the Accuser. When it comes to more traditional superhero films, Gunn has proven he can write a satisfying villain, and with Supermanhe will now tackle one of the most emblematic. I’m excited to see Lex Luthor as the main villain of the DCU movie, but there has to be a new wrinkle that separates him from past Superman movies because he can easily call back to what happened in the past. The DCU needs to prove that it can be another step forward for the franchise, but reusing a main villain that audiences have seen in most of the Superman films certainly makes that goal tricky.

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