Nicholas Hoult Explains Why His Lex Luthor Hates Superman — GeekTyrant

Geek Tyrant

4 days ago

When it comes to iconic superhero rivalries, few are as sharply defined as Superman and Lex Luthor. It's strength versus smarts, godlike alien power versus human paranoia, and hope versus control. Nicholas Hoult is stepping into Lex's expensive shoes to bring a version of the character that's incredibly unnerved by what Superman represents.
CinemaBlend spoke with Hoult about diving into one of comic book history's most cerebral villains, and he made it clear that this isn't the cartoony Luthor, his version is sleek, dangerous, and thinks he's the hero of the story.
'He's more of a tech billionaire. One of the things that he values – probably quite highly, and you'll see throughout the film – is this public image of how people view him. He's managed to keep his more nefarious tactics hidden, so that he does appear to be someone who's only there for good.'
That mask of philanthropy, of course, hides the familiar Lex-shaped resentment of Superman's existence. Hoult explained that this mistrust, this fear, is baked into the story from the jump.
When asked about how the Superman film frames their rivalry, Hoult said:
'One of the things I loved most about the script the first time I read it is that you get thrown into the middle of a fully developed world and story already.
'So these characters have already existed in this universe, and you're playing catch up a little bit as an audience member for what the lore is, and what you're dealing with.
'With Lex, it's this thing of, he has already developed or devised all these plans of how to defeat Superman, and you're playing catch up in terms of what's at play, and the plans unfurling in front of you. So that's kind of where you meet him.'
But interestingly, he and Superman haven't even come face-to-face yet when the story kicks off. Their conflict simmers before it ever boils over. Hoult continued:
'They are aware of each other, but I don't think they have necessarily met in person. But Lex… one of the things I really love about this version of Lex is that all his beliefs and fears are what drive him, but in some ways, that drive is real.
'And what he is weary of with what Superman represents is something that could be a real danger and threat to humanity. So in some ways, that was something that I really liked. … It's his beliefs, and almost his love of humanity, and protection, and a belief in this idea that they should be masters of their own fate and destiny is important to him.
'The rest of society has fallen into this path of trusting Superman, believing in Superman, and giving him what Lex would view as all power and freedom. So it's like, 'Where does jurisdiction and law and protection of humanity come into that process?''
It's a layered take that adds complexity to the villain's motives. Hoult's Lex resents the surrender of human autonomy to someone he sees as an unchecked god.
With James Gunn directing and setting up a fully realized DC world already in motion, Hoult's performance is shaping up to be a highlight, and if the movie sticks the landing, this Lex could stand toe-to-toe with the greats.