James Gunn Debunks Theory That Lex Luthor Knows Superman’s Secret Identity
There’s a theory making the rounds claiming that Lex Luthor actually does know Superman is Clark Kent in Superman, and that he’s just holding onto that knowledge for the perfect moment. It’s a fun idea, but now James Gunn has stepped in to clear things.
The conversation kicked off when a fan pointed out on X something that, on the surface, seems pretty wild. Lex Luthor manages to clone Superman but still can’t figure out who he is in his everyday life.
That sparked a debate online, with one user doubling down on the idea that there’s no way Luthor could miss something that big.
“Lex is too smart not to figure it out, and too smart to leak the information for no reason,” they added. “He’s keeping Clark’s secret until a time when it’s beneficial for him to use it.”
It’s a compelling argument. After all, Luthor is supposed to be one of the smartest minds in the DC Universe. But Gunn wasn’t buying it.
When asked directly about the theory, Gunn didn’t just shut it down, he explained exactly why it doesn’t hold up within the world of the film. His reasoning actually digs into how this version of Luthor sees Superman.
He first pointed out that Luthor viewed the Man of Steel as “a disconnected alien who wants to take over the world.” He added, “So I’m not sure why he’d assume he has a ‘secret identity.'”
That perspective changes things. If Luthor sees Superman as an otherworldly threat instead of someone trying to live among humans, the idea of a civilian disguise wouldn’t even cross his mind.
Gunn also confirmed that one of the more classic comic book elements is alive and well in this universe. Yes, the Hypno-Glasses are real. That means Superman’s ability to separate Clark Kent from his heroic persona isn’t just about posture and attitude, there’s an actual in-universe explanation helping sell the illusion.
And then there’s the final piece of the puzzle, which might be the most interesting. Gunn reminded fans that brilliance doesn’t equal omniscience.
He pointed out that Luthor being a genius in several scientific fields, like nanotechnology, didn’t mean he was “a genius in all fields.” Gunn further noted, “Like many scientists (& artists!) he can miss basic things.”
That’s a great way to ground the character. It keeps Luthor from feeling like an all-knowing figure and instead makes him someone with blind spots, which honestly makes the rivalry with Superman even more interesting.
So while the theory of Lex secretly playing the long game is fun to think about, Gunn has made it clear that, at least in this version of Superman, Luthor genuinely doesn’t know who Clark Kent is.
And really, that might be the more entertaining route. It keeps the tension alive and leaves room for future moments where that discovery, if it ever happens, could hit a lot harder.