Superman: Nicholas Hoult on Why Lex Luthor Hates Man of Steel

Nicholas Hoult recently broke down Lex Luthor’s motivations in Superman (2025), explaining why the villain hates and fears the Man of Steel. In a new interview, Hoult revealed how power, ego, and legacy drive Luthor’s hatred. His comments come as anticipation builds for the DCU reboot, set to release on July 11, 2025.

Nicholas Hoult and James Gunn explain why Lex Luthor hates Superman

Nicholas Hoult, who plays Lex Luthor in Superman (2025), explained the root of Luthor’s animosity toward the Man of Steel during an interview with Fandango and at MEGACON Orlando.

According to Hoult, Luthor sees Superman as a threat not only because of his immense power but also because of what that power represents. “We are weak, and that’s what Superman shows us, that we are,” Hoult said, highlighting how Superman’s arrival disrupts Luthor’s vision of human dominance and control.

Hoult described Lex as someone who built his life around legacy and influence, aspiring to be humanity’s savior. However, when Superman appears, he takes the public’s adoration and shifts their faith away from Luthor. “Suddenly this person has taken all that adoration that [Lex] feels he deserved,” Hoult said, explaining how Superman’s presence threatens everything Lex believes he earned.

During the discussion, James Gunn compared Lex’s perspective on Superman to how many artists feel about artificial intelligence. “I think Lex looks at Superman like a lot of print artists look at AI. He sees him as a threat to his livelihood and his legacy.”

The filmmaker noted that Lex resents Superman not just for his powers, but for how the world responds to him. “He’s a simple guy wearing a stupid costume that all of a sudden everybody loves, and every woman loves, and all of the things that [Lex] cares about now are all going to him.”

Hoult highlighted the practical challenge of making a human like Lex a credible threat to an all-powerful alien. He credited the writing and Lex’s use of strategy and manipulation over brute force. Hoult has also expressed interest in continuing as Lex Luthor in future DCU projects, stating, “There is much I want to do with Lex.”

Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.

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