Nicholas Hoult Explains Why His Lex Luthor Really Hates Superman

Nicholas Hoult knows exactly why Lex Luthor can’t stand Superman — and he’s not shy about unpacking it. The Superman star has been peeling back layers of Lex ahead of the new DCU reboot hitting theaters this July, and if you thought Lex’s hatred was just about power and money, Hoult wants you to look deeper.

What’s Really Behind Lex’s Jealousy?

Speaking on the DC Studios Showcase podcast, Hoult laid it out plain: Lex thinks he’s earned the love and worship that Superman gets handed the minute he flies in. In Hoult’s words, “He believes he deserves this adoration and respect and love from humanity.” So when Clark Kent shows up and soaks in all the glory without having to build it brick by brick? It burns.

Hoult calls Lex “driven by love.” Not exactly the word you expect to hear with a guy who’s been Superman’s arch-nemesis for 85 years. But that twist makes it more interesting. Lex wants love — maybe more than power. And the more people love Superman, the more invisible Lex feels.

How Does Hoult’s Lex Compare To The Rest?

This take lines up with Lex’s greatest hits. He’s always been the smartest guy in the room who can’t stand that an alien with perfect hair gets the key to the city every week. But Hoult’s spin leans into the insecurity behind all that ego.

He explained it another way earlier this year — asking what happens when someone with unlimited power doesn’t line up with what the rest of us think is right. Lex sees Superman as a threat, not just a rival. And the envy and fear get tangled up in one big obsession. It’s what keeps Lex from being just a mustache-twirling villain. There’s logic there. It’s just twisted.

Hoult even got a nod of approval from Smallville’s Michael Rosenbaum — still one of the best Lexes ever. Rosenbaum called him up and gave him a bit of advice: lean into the humanity and contradictions. Looks like Hoult listened.

This version of Superman is all about relationships — the clash between Clark’s hope and Lex’s hunger for control, Lois Lane caught in the middle, Metropolis watching like an arena crowd. Hoult’s Lex wants people to adore him. And he’ll tear Superman down to prove he’s the hero people should love.

So when Hoult says Lex is “driven by love,” what he really means is that Lex wants to be the center of everyone’s world — and Superman’s cape keeps blocking his spotlight. Come July, we’ll get to see just how far Lex is willing to go to take it back.

Hot this week

Nicki Minaj Calls Out Megan Thee Stallion After Lawsuit Setback

Nicki Minaj is at it again, and she’s not...

Is Jennifer Aniston Dating Hypnotist Jim Curtis?

Jennifer Aniston just can’t stay out of the headlines,...

Premium Gold Plating Supplies for Quality Industrial Finishes

When it comes to achieving high-quality finishes on industrial...

4 Essential Power Cable Types for Every Electrical Setup

Power cables help make electricity safe and easy to...

Midland residents take the leap with online sports bets by betting big in the Great Lakes state

Online sports betting is sweeping across Michigan, and Midland...

Topics

Home Care Assistance: Compassionate Help Where You Live

Taking care of aging parents, loved ones with disabilities,...

Jim Nantz: The Iconic Voice of American Sports Broadcasting

Jim Nantz is more than just a sportscaster; he...

Did James Cameron Call Oppenheimer a Moral Cop-Out? Here’s Why He Criticized Nolan

What Did James Cameron Really Say About Oppenheimer? James Cameron...

Who Is Alex de Minaur’s Fiancée? Meet Katie Boulter, Tennis’ Rising Star

Alex de Minaur isn’t just a tennis prodigy; he’s...

Top Crypto Solutions for Asset Managers in 2025

As traditional finance inches closer to digital assets, asset...

Is Paige DeSorbo Dating Joe D’Amelio? Let’s Break Down the Rumors

Paige DeSorbo, the fashion-forward reality TV star we’ve come...

Related Articles

Popular Categories