The Intriguing Rise of Superman & Lois' Lex Luthor: A Key Figure You Can't Ignore

Summary

Superman & Lois' Lex Luthor, played by Michael Cudlitz, has a personal vendetta against the characters due to Lois' role in his false imprisonment.

The way Michael Cudlitz's Lex Luthor is introduced in Superman & Lois provides a potential blueprint for future DC films in reintroducing the character. By aiming to differentiate their portrayal of Lex Luthor from previous versions, while still preserving recognizable traits, the DC Universe can successfully establish a unique interpretation, as demonstrated in Superman & Lois.

Superman & Lois' Lex Luthor, portrayed by Michael Cudlitz, has emerged as a character of significant importance in The CW's only remaining DC show. In a departure from the previous portrayal by Jon Cryer, the series opted for a fresh interpretation of the iconic villain. This new version of Lex Luthor, framed for the murder of DC's Boss Moxie, harbors a deeply personal grudge against the titular characters. Lois' involvement in his wrongful imprisonment fuels his hatred towards her and Superman, whom he holds responsible for the 17 years he spent behind bars. Just two episodes into the series, Lex unleashes Doomsday upon the world, positioning himself as the primary antagonist for Superman & Lois season 4, the potential culmination of the show.

Superman & Lois's Lex Luthor Could Show The DCU How To Introduce Lex Luthor

Superman’s ongoing conflict with Lex on the small screen could have significant implications for the future of DC’s live-action properties. Michael Cudlitz’s character introduction holds great importance, as the DC Universe will likely prioritize the inclusion of a new Lex Luthor, especially with the release of Superman: Legacy in 2025. As a reboot, Superman: Legacy will feature a new actor in the role of Lex Luthor, necessitating the DC Universe to carefully consider how to reintroduce the villain to audiences. By observing Cudlitz's portrayal in Superman & Lois, the film can establish a successful blueprint to follow.

Integrating Lex Luthor into the DCEU proved to be a challenging endeavor that ultimately fell short in terms of satisfaction. Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice aimed to offer a fresh interpretation of the iconic villain, but instead of injecting new life into the character, it was perceived as too dissimilar from traditional depictions of Lex Luthor. Given the reboot nature of Superman: Legacy, it would be wise for it to draw inspiration from Superman & Lois if the positive reception towards its ruthless and relentlessly evil Lex Luthor persists.

The DCU's Lex Luthor Needs To Differ From The Classic Character

Superman: Legacy should avoid being compared to Eisenburg's Lex Luthor in the DCEU. However, this doesn't mean that the DC Universe must recreate the classic character flawlessly. Given the countless retellings of this story, it would be fitting to have a different approach while still maintaining Lex Luthor's recognizable traits. To achieve this, the DCU can take inspiration from Superman & Lois, which successfully portrays Lex as a cunning, confident, and formidable adversary for Superman.