Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor Described as a “Co-Lead” in MAN OF TOMORROW
The DCU is gearing up for another clash between Superman and his greatest enemy, and this time it sounds like Lex Luthor will be stepping into the spotlight in a major way.
While Superman introduced us to David Corenswet’s Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult’s bald-headed mastermind, the upcoming Man of Tomorrow is shaping up to push their rivalry to the next level.
The first film left Luthor headed for Belle Reve, but anyone who knows this character understands his story is far from over. In fact, the 2027 follow-up will reportedly give him his classic green and purple War Suit, which has fans speculating about how his battle with Superman will unfold.
Teaser art even hints that the two could fight side by side against a greater threat. Director James Gunn has already said Man of Tomorrow isn’t a straightforward Superman sequel, and it seems like he’s aiming for something bigger than a simple rematch.
Rumors suggest an ensemble approach, with characters like Peacemaker, Lobo, and Supergirl possibly showing up, though the title clearly keeps Superman at the core of the story.
Still, the biggest development comes from scooper Daniel Richtman, who revealed, “Superman and Lex are gonna team up in Man of Tomorrow,” adding that Hoult’s Luthor will serve as a “co-lead” in the film.
That shouldn’t really come as a suprise considering the official artwork shared with the announcement, which placed Lex alongside Superman.
This raises an interesting question, though… is it too soon for Gunn to shift Luthor into a more sympathetic role, the way he did with Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy? The comics have long featured uneasy team-ups between Superman and Lex, with the genius billionaire always remaining arrogant, manipulative, and untrustworthy.
Hoult himself has teased the complexity he’s bringing to the role. Speaking about Lex earlier this year, he explained:
"When you’re playing a villain, it’s easy to be like, 'I’m the bad guy,' but actually, if you stand back and look at this, it’s his beliefs and almost his love of humanity and protection and this idea that they should be masters of their own fate and destiny."
He went on to add:
"And the rest of society has kind of fallen into this path of trusting Superman, believing in Superman, and giving him what Lex would view as all power and freedom, and so it’s like, 'Where does jurisdiction and law and protection of humanity come into that?'"
Whether Gunn makes Luthor a reluctant ally or keeps him as the ultimate schemer, it’s clear Man of Tomorrow is going to lean heavily into the dynamic between these two iconic rivals.