James Gunn Reveals Influences Behind His Superman Movie’s Lex Luthor

By Pune Media On Oct 11, 2024 43

Superman writer-director and DC Studios co-head James Gunn touched upon what comics or arcs inspired his Lex Luthor depiction in the Man of Steel’s newest cinematic outing. Prior to this, Gunn explained why Smallville star and veteran Lex Luthor actor Michael Rosenbaum isn’t reprising his role as the Last Son of Krypton’s archenemy in the project in December.

Gunn brought this subject up over on Threads, professing to an inquisitive fan that there are “so many,” going on to further note that Lex is “one of [his] favorites” and that it’s “been a joy bringing him to the screen with the incredible [Nicholas Hoult].” He concluded, “Some of the influences were, of course, All-Star Superman, Azzarello’s Luthor, and the reckless scientific genius from the 1950’s and ’60’s.“

Superman Star Seemingly Confirmed to Appear in Thunderbolts*

One of the stars of the DCU’s Superman reboot is reportedly joining the MCU as well with a role in Thunderbolts*.

Circling back to Rosenbaum, Rosenbaum revealed that he asked Gunn why he isn’t in the aforementioned newest cinematic outing in June, avowing at the time, “I asked him, ‘Why am I not in Superman? Why am I not in the movie somehow?’ It was fine, though. I wish him all the happiness. He deserves all the success he has. He’s enormously talented. When it’s the right thing, he’ll ask me. Or he won’t. And that’s aside from friendship. When your friends go off and do big things, you say, ‘Hey, they know I’m here. They know my number.’ And you just hope for the best.”

Some of the influences were, of course,
All-Star Superman
, Azzarello’s Luthor, and the reckless scientific genius from the 1950’s and ’60’s.

Tying into that, Hoult applauded Rosenbaum’s performance as the Greatest Criminal Mind of Our Time in March, affirming, “I love [your performance as Lex]. It’s the best, yeah. You did inhabit him with such depth and charm.”

‘It Didn’t Feel Great’: Superman Star David Corenswet Describes Bulking Up for Man of Steel Role

David Corenswet comments on bulking up for his major role as Superman in the DCU.

Putting the spotlight on Superman itself, Gunn delved into how Christopher Reeve’s Metropolis Marvel influenced his own in 2023, asking how does one take “this outrageous concept of a guy who flies around” and turn him into something real, further professing, “I think that, you know, what we’re doing is different. It’s its own thing. But I’m definitely influenced by what [director Richard] Donner did with Superman, and what Christopher Reeve did with Superman, and Margot Kidder, who’s fantastic in the movie. She’s really the heart of it in a lot of ways.”

James Gunn and Peter Safran Are Building an Expansive DC Universe

Additionally, Gunn touched upon why other DC heroes are in the project, conveying, “They fit the story I’m telling. Story always comes first.” More recently, Gunn explained why Superman is the “true start” of the DCU after Creature Commandos, asserting that Creature Commandos is a way for people to “just take a little nibble” and see what it tastes like.

Superman arrives in theaters faster than a speeding bullet on July 11, 2025.

Source: Threads

Follows the titular superhero as he reconciles his heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth and justice in a world that views kindness as old-fashioned.

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Cast: Nicholas Hoult , Rachel Brosnahan , Skyler Gisondo , David Corenswet
Main Genre: Superhero

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}

_{Aggregated From –}

_{Source link}