SUPERMAN: Kal-El Confronts Lex Luthor In New Stills; Nicholas Hoult Teases His "Relentless" Villain

SUPERMAN: Kal-El Confronts Lex Luthor In New Stills; Nicholas Hoult Teases His "Relentless" Villain

Three new stills have been released from Superman, with the spotlight put squarely on a confrontation between the Man of Steel and Lex Luthor. Nicholas Hoult, meanwhile, has shared new character details...

By JoshWilding - May 15, 2025 11:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman
Source: Entertainment Weekly

DC Studios is keeping the momentum going from yesterday's Superman trailer release by sharing three new stills (via Entertainment Weekly).

In those, we see a tense confrontation between the Man of Steel and Lex Luthor, a behind-the-scenes shot with actors David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, and filmmaker James Gunn, and the LexCorp CEO looking far from pleased. 

The site spoke with Hoult about playing the iconic comic book villain, and the actor explained how this Lex is more than a match for Superman. 

"Superman's so powerful and unstoppable in many ways that you need to have a character that feels like, 'Okay, how is this person dangerous? How could this person potentially win and come out on top?'" Hoult pondered. "He's obsessive and determined and relentless, and there's a lot of emotion pushing through all of that in a way." 

"The gadgets and tech he's working with are beyond those things that we can imagine," the actor continued. "He's someone who really worked hard for a long time in terms of science and himself and how he wants to be perceived and his intellect."

"Even, for me, physically in this, I wanted him to feel like he was as much alpha as possible, where he's someone who's, in his mind, done everything he possibly could for himself but also for humanity in some ways. In his mind, he should be adored."

"And then this person, this superhuman, this alien has come along who all those things come naturally to in many ways. That gives him a deep, deep resentment," Hoult concluded.

While Lex is a villain we've seen an awful lot of on screen over the years, it definitely sounds like Gunn and Hoult have set out to show new sides of the character in Superman. And, after Jesse Eisenberg's divisive take on Lex, the only way is up for the twisted scientist on screen. 

Check out those new Superman stills in the X post below.

Superman, DC Studios' first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures.

In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.  

The movie stars David Corenswet in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Also appearing are Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, and Milly Alcock.

Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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SuperCat
SuperCat - 5/15/2025, 11:16 AM
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Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 5/15/2025, 1:12 PM
@SuperCat - I'm not the biggest DC fan...Anyone have any info on who this Hulkbuster type droid is that's yolking up this nerfed up Superman's ass?
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 5/15/2025, 1:17 PM
@Feralwookiee - I don't know if thats a serious question but...Leaks say its Ultraman parading as "The Hammer Of Boravia"
SuperCat
SuperCat - 5/15/2025, 1:21 PM
@Feralwookiee - LOL! I was wondering the same.
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 5/15/2025, 1:29 PM
@BlackStar25 - That's a serious question. I have no idea what any of that means so I'll google. Thank you!
Matador
Matador - 5/15/2025, 11:22 AM
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TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/15/2025, 11:24 AM
Sounds good!!.

I know there have been some takes like this in the past but it seems like this Lex doesn’t come from wealth like some iterations but is moreso a self made man whose created this corporation and many extraordinary things but along comes this being for who in his mind things come easily to due to his abilities and becomes the focal point of attention thus his ego and insecurity can’t handle that which leads to jealousy and resentment.

I honestly prefer a Lex that comes from more humble beginnings so to speak because I think it gives more validity to his issues with Superman even if we know he’s in the wrong.

Anyway , can’t wait to see more of Hoult’s Lex since I have enjoyed what I’ve seen so far!!.

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Steel86
Steel86 - 5/15/2025, 12:09 PM
@TheVisionary25 - Gunn has showed he is pulling from alot of different history's for this film. Lex in most of the earlier stories didn't come from money. I know some have theorized that the company is still LuthorCorp because he got it from his father and hasn't changed the name yet. I don't think that is the case. James is a big fan of Smallville and that was the company name until the last episode. And I personally always felt that name sounds more like a corporate name.
SuperCat
SuperCat - 5/15/2025, 11:25 AM
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JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 5/15/2025, 11:29 AM
@SuperCat - seamless 😆
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 5/15/2025, 11:29 AM
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JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 5/15/2025, 11:30 AM
@HashTagSwagg - 100% upgrade 👀
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 5/15/2025, 1:13 PM
@HashTagSwagg - Niiiiiiiiiice.
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 5/15/2025, 11:31 AM
Reminds me of the jolly rancher scene in BVS 😆
Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 12:05 PM
@JurassicClunge - how? There's not only no candy in the scene but Lex Luthor is actually in it.
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 5/15/2025, 11:53 AM
He's probably telling Superman to come in and work on Sunday.


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If you get it, you get it.
Steel86
Steel86 - 5/15/2025, 12:09 PM
@WEAPONXOXOXO - I love you!🤣🤣🤣
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 5/15/2025, 12:20 PM
@Steel86 -
thank you?.....

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MisterBones
MisterBones - 5/15/2025, 11:59 AM
[frick] your desk Lex
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Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 5/15/2025, 1:14 PM
@MisterBones - Is that similar to "[frick] yo couch"?
MisterBones
MisterBones - 5/15/2025, 1:24 PM
@Feralwookiee - the kryptonian version yea lol
Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 12:06 PM
Looks like we are also getting Lex in the green and purple power suit:

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Awesome
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 5/15/2025, 12:12 PM
@Pictilli - nice. But what’s that creepy green baby? 😆
Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 12:13 PM
@JustAWaffle - a Lex experiment. Probably a kryptonite baby
Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 12:07 PM
Cue snyderbots malding over not getting more of Jesse Zuckerberg and Ezra Miller


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JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 5/15/2025, 12:11 PM
Everything about this is looking better and better. I had reservations at first, but I’m super hyped for this.
Steel86
Steel86 - 5/15/2025, 12:15 PM
One of the dynamics I'm really looking forward to. Not sense Smallville have we had a great Superman-Lex dynamic. Spacey was good in Returns but his Lex didn't interact with Superman much and we're not going to talk about Jesse. Sidenote- Cryer was surprisingly good but really didn't interact with Superman it was more Supergirl. They should've brought him back for Superman and Lois.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/15/2025, 12:26 PM
@Steel86 - I liked Cudlitz’s Lex tbh…

I think he got the tone of that show better then Crier who was great would have.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 5/15/2025, 12:17 PM
OFF TOPIC!

Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning now dropped to 84% with 107 Reviews. How low will it go?

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AllsGood
AllsGood - 5/15/2025, 12:19 PM
@AllsGood -

Spoke Too Soon Now 83%
Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 12:32 PM
@AllsGood - 84% is still very good lol
AllsGood
AllsGood - 5/15/2025, 12:38 PM
@Pictilli - Right now 83% with 108 Reviews. Lot of reviews to go. How Low will it go?
Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 12:44 PM
@AllsGood - not much more
AllsGood
AllsGood - 5/15/2025, 12:53 PM
@Pictilli - With 100's of reviews left Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning will be in the 70's range.
EgoEgor
EgoEgor - 5/15/2025, 1:15 PM
@AllsGood - why do you care about rotten tomatoes' meter? Rotten tomatoes have ruined the film industry and fandom imo.
Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 1:18 PM
@AllsGood - 70s and 80s on RT is still very good
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 5/15/2025, 1:00 PM
I have no notes.

I'm only posting here to say I don't post in every thread, unlike what some of your halfwit comrades claim.

OT:

I hope this movie is not as bad and woke as it seems to be.
Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 1:19 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - what's woke about it?

Woke means anti white and pro LGBTQP, and this movie is overtly neither.

Only two characters are race replaced. The majority of the characters are all racially accurate. This is the opposite of woke.
EgoEgor
EgoEgor - 5/15/2025, 1:13 PM
There's so much to like from the trailer. Superman, sans costume, is pitch perfect. I think the one thing that didn't sit right is that Lex kind-of comes off Saturday morning cartoon villain in everything I've seen. But alas these have no context, and I hope he delivers.

They got the genius down, the ego, and the pbsessive psychopathy but I think what's missing is Lex's charm.

Pictilli
Pictilli - 5/15/2025, 1:21 PM
Let's review:

A Superman costume with all of the right parts (S shield, trunks, belt, cape, boots, shirt & pants) and colors (actual red, blue, and yellow)? ✔️

The Kents both alive and serving as Superman's moral barometer, the people who form his worldview and values as a hero, rather than Krypton? ✔️

Kryptonians who speak actual kryptonian, a language that Clark/Superman does not understand, which is not only more logical and realistic but also serves to further emphasize the fact that Superman's personality, worldview, and who he is comes from the Kents rather than Krypton? ✔️

A Lex Luthor who is an evil international capitalist tech guru mad scientist genius who hates Superman out of sheer ego? ✔️

A brunette Lois Lane who wears purple and has an actual personality? ✔️

A Superman who has an actual personality and Clark creating the costumed Superman persona as well as a distinct mild mannered reporter disguise? ✔️

A Superman who has moral confidence and courage, wit, humor, and actually likes what he does, and is willing to do the right thing no matter what? ✔️

A Superman movie that has actual vivid, lively colors in it that does justice to the colorful comic book character instead of washed out contrasted filtered garbage? ✔️

A heart driven story where we will get actual character development, dialogue that shows us who the characters are, and character driven stories with strong personalities instead of plot driven esoteric garbage? ✔️

Milton Glaser DC bullet logo? ✔️

A Superman movie where the actor playing Superman is charismatic, has a personality, and can do an actual American accent? ✔️

A Superman movie that is not ashamed of its lore and proudly embraces what it is and leans into its characters and iconography? ✔️

Oh yes.... it's been 13 years, and we are finally getting the Superman movie we deserve. Is David Corenswet who I'd have cast? No. But will he do a great job? Absolutely.

Sure, I wouldn't have done the collar on the suit, and I would have Clark create the Superman costume and S symbol with the Kents (which may be a possibility yet still but I doubt it), and I wouldn't have had Lois Lane knowing that Clark is Superman, but I am willing to accept all of this because I trust James Gunn's capable hands in wielding this story and he is already getting so much else right.

If Lois knowing that Clark is Superman is what Gunn feels he needs to do to allow us to delve into Clark/Superman's character in a unique way, then I am for it. This easily gets an 8/10 for me, and will be either the second best Superman movie ever made, or tied with the first Christopher Reeve film with it. I already like some of Gunn's creative decisions for Superman better than Donner's, there are several things he is doing that are more accurate, even if no one has yet to top Christopher Reeve's casting, costume, and John Williams' score.

Speaking of...I also love that Gunn is using the John Williams SUPERMAN theme and a remix of it, this movie looks and sounds like it is PROUD TO BE A SUPERMAN FILM, the complete opposite of the snyderverse garbage.

Gunn is even asking questions that the snyderverse attempted to ask but failed miserably at... such as how does the world/government react to Superman helping people all over the world, stopping wars, etc? But Gunn is actually handling it the right way, giving the right answers, and following through.

I say to all the snyderbots: 13 years later, [frick] you, you lost, and the REAL SUPERMAN is BACK. I predicted this day would come one day, I believed in it, I supported it and cheered it on for more than a decade, and now, the day is here.
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