James Gunn Explains Superman’s Origin in His 2025 Movie: “Lex Hates Superman’s Guts From the Beginning”

James Gunn is redefining the iconic rivalry between Superman and Lex Luthor in his upcoming film, set to release on July 11, 2025. This new narrative reimagines one of the DC Comics’ foremost conflicts, emphasizing the established presence of superheroes in a world where Krypton’s last son faces off against Metropolis’ formidable antagonist. The approach suggests a complex interplay between heroes and villains, igniting curiosity about their relationships within this evolving DC Universe.

During a media visit to the Superman set in Cleveland last June, which included ScreenRant’s Rob Keyes among other participants, insights emerged regarding the film’s timeline. It appears that this iteration of Superman will not focus solely on his origin but will instead spotlight his adventures as he is already entrenched in his role as a hero. As Gunn noted:

James Gunn: It was about really putting us in the middle of the action from the beginning. And there’s a lot of these things in this movie now that I’ve been making it for over a year that I think of as normal. But now when you bring it up, I go, oh yeah, that’s pretty unusual. We just start in the middle of the action. Superman’s already existing. Lois and Clark already know each other. Lex hates Superman’s guts from the beginning, although they don’t know each other personally. So we start right in the middle of the action. It takes place over a short amount of time.

Exploring the Dynamics of Lex and Superman

The enduring tension between Superman and Lex Luthor has been depicted numerous times across various live-action films and series, addressing different facets of their rivalry. Past narratives, from Smallville to Superman & Lois, have explored their transformation into adversaries. The new film seeks to present this conflict in a unique light by starting their antagonism in an already established context.

In this narrative, Superman is likely navigating his second or third year as a superhero. This allows Lex’s animosity towards him to feel immediate and significant, without the story skipping essential developmental milestones. Establishing them as relatively inexperienced opponents also opens avenues for potential flashbacks, which could elaborate on their complex history.

Moreover, this film will introduce a younger Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, aligning him closer in age to Superman. This fresh interpretation offers the opportunity for Lex’s character to evolve into one of Metropolis’ most dangerous figures, marking a crucial departure from the DCEU’s earlier portrayal. This strategic change could provide the foundation for a richer, multi-layered storyline throughout the DC Universe.

Our Insight on Gunn’s Vision

Superman glaring at Lex Luthor in DC comics

Gunn’s commentary on the Superman timeline raises intriguing possibilities for the evolution of Lex and Clark’s rivalry within the larger franchise. Fans can expect significant developments to be featured in the film’s highly anticipated trailer debuting this Thursday. This promotional glimpse will hopefully reveal the nuances of their conflict and tease what lies ahead for the DC Universe.

With anticipation building around the release of Superman, audiences are eager to see how this film will help shape the future of the DC cinematic landscape.

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