Superman actor Nicholas Hoult unpacks why the DC hero rubs Lex Luthor the improper approach. Over the past 85 years, Lex has shared a legendary rivalry with the Man of Metal, with many movie and tv variations showcasing this dynamic. Releasing on July 11, 2025, Superman pits Hoult’s Lex towards David Corenswet’s Clark Kent for the primary time.
Forward of the movie’s debut, Hoult mentioned why his model of Lex hates the hero in an look on the DC Studios Showcase podcast. The actor said: “I think that’s what’s fun to dig into with Lex. I think one [reason] being that he’s worked to be in some ways this hero, godlike figure, and he believes he deserves this adoration and respect and love from humanity.”
Hoult described his Lex as “driven by love,” which makes him envious of the hero. He defined: “Then Supes turns up and kind of gets all the adoration that he feels he deserves. So there’s a little bit of that and, yeah, and jealousy and fear and all those things mixed into the melting pot, I suppose.”
Hoult beforehand mentioned why Lex hates Superman earlier this yr. The actor posed an attention-grabbing query: “If somebody had final energy and the power to do something, then what occurs when what he does doesn’t align with everybody’s perception of what’s proper?” This angle differs barely from his newer rationalization.
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Hoult’s statements could considerably contradictory on the floor, however they share a typical thread: envy and self-importance. Lex, throughout many iterations, finds himself envious of the immense energy Superman has and the adoration this brings him. In his thoughts, Lex has earned each, so seeing another person celebrated enrages him.
Many of the finest variations of Lex lean into his envy of Superman and ruthlessness in taking him down. Hoult’s rationalization confirms he understands the character properly. Lex is extra complicated than only a jealous villain, however he is not solely sympathetic both. Utilizing a want for love and connection as a motive for his Lex is a novel take that harkens again to prior variations equivalent to Smallville.
Given each the movie’s advertising and statements made by the solid, a lot of Superman hinges on the title character’s relationships, particularly his rivalry with Lex. Giving Lex a deeper psychological must dethrone the hero provides some taste to a well-known villain, probably making Hoult’s model character-defining.
Superman
Launch Date
July 11, 2025
Runtime
130 Minutes
Clark Kent / Superman / Kal-El
Rachel Brosnahan
Lois Lane
Nicholas Hoult
Lex Luthor
Edi Gathegi
Michael Holt / Mister Terrific
