Morrison/Quitely Inspire Lex Luthor Version

By August Tales

As the curtain raises on the post-production phase of the Superman movie, set for a Summer 2025 release, we get a tantalizing insight into the mind of James Gunn. The DC Studios co-CEO has revealed the inspiration behind his rendition of Lex Luthor, satiating the curiosity of the fans.

Unraveling the influences behind Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Luthor in the upcoming movie, Gunn cited three examples. He reminisced about Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s take on the character in All-Star Superman (2005-2008). Next was the Luthor in Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo’s Lex Luthor: Man of Steel (2005). Lastly, the unabashed scientific genius of the 1950s and 1960s also left a mark on the character.

“Lex is a joy to bring to life on screen,” admitted Gunn. He lauded Nicholas Hoult’s performance and shared that ‘All-Star Superman,’ Azzarello’s Luthor, and the reckless scientific genius from the ’50s and ’60s served as major influences.

Superman Stays True to Comics but Sports a “James Gunn Twist”

On a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast by Josh Horowitz, actress Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl) opened up. She praised Gunn’s commitment to staying true to the original comics while adding his own unique twist. “It’s heartwarming and funny, with a James Gunn spin on it,” shared Merced.

She went on to describe Gunn as thoroughly prepared and focused, creating a conducive environment on set. “When somebody is in charge and on it, like James, you can relax into the role. It was the best part of the experience,” Merced admitted.

The Cast of Superman

Superman, stationed at DC Studios, showcases a star-studded cast. The cast includes sky-high names like David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Super-charged talents like Skyler Gisondo, Nicholas Hoult, Wendell Pierce, and Isabela Merced are also onboard. Other notable actors include Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Anthony Carrigan, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Sean Gunn, and Neva Howell.

The on-screen team is complemented by Beck Bennett, Mikaela Hoover, and Christopher McDonald. Wait, there’s more! Frank Grillo and Alan Tudyk feature in undisclosed roles. The film scores another point with composer John Murphy orchestrating the music.

Get set for a thrilling adventure as this DC Studios production soars higher than ever before. Remember, the sky is the limit!