Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman is earning widespread praise as the most faithful on-screen adaptation of the iconic villain to date. According to SlashFilm’s Devin Meenan, Hoult captures the essence of the comic book Luthor—particularly the version shaped by writer/artist John Byrne in the 1986 mini-series The Man of Steel. Byrne reimagined Lex as a ruthless corporate mogul hiding behind a façade of legitimacy, a shift that has defined the character for modern audiences.
Unlike previous portrayals, Hoult’s Lex leaves behind the comic flair of Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey, as well as the eccentric energy of Jesse Eisenberg’s version in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Where Eisenberg’s Lex veered into chaotic territory, Hoult returns the character to his comic and animated roots.
Hoult’s performance has been compared to Clancy Brown’s iconic voice work in Superman: The Animated Series. His Luthor is cold, intelligent, and calculating—a true mastermind. Meenan praises Hoult for delivering a villain with real menace through calm intensity, never overplaying the role.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Gunn explained that Lex’s hatred stems from envy:
"[Lex] is the world’s greatest man in so many ways... Then you got a guy who comes in who's done nothing to deserve the ability to fly... That sort of obsession with being passed over is what drives Lex."
This internal conflict comes to a head in the film’s third act. Lex finally confronts Superman, acknowledging his jealousy and framing it as humanity’s only hope for progress. Hoult drew from Lex Luthor: Man of Steel by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, a comic that explores Luthor’s psyche in detail.
Fans and critics agree: Hoult’s Lex Luthor strikes the perfect balance of intelligence, charisma, and menace. His performance lays a strong foundation for the newly rebooted DC Universe.
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