Hoult Teases Different Lex Luthor in Man of Tomorrow
Nicholas Hoult says his Lex Luthor in the 2027 sequel to Superman will differ sharply from the character audiences saw in the 2025 film.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Actor Nicholas Hoult teased a different version of Lex Luthor ahead of Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to 2025's Superman. Director James Gunn confirmed Lex and Superman will team up against a much bigger threat in the film, which is scheduled for 2027.
Why it matters
The reveal signals a shift in how the DC Universe will portray its central villain, moving Lex Luthor from antagonist to uneasy ally. For audiences following the franchise, it sets expectations for a sequel built on contrast with the earlier film.
Man of Tomorrow is scheduled for release in 2027, two years after Superman opened in theaters in 2025. No box office or production budget figures are available for the sequel at this stage.
The players
James Gunn
James Gunn is the writer and director leading the DC Universe, overseeing its films and shaping the direction of its characters across the franchise.
Nicholas Hoult
Nicholas Hoult is a British actor known for roles in films such as Mad Max: Fury Road and About a Boy, who plays Lex Luthor in the DC Universe.
The details
Director James Gunn confirmed on The Howard Stern Radio Show that Lex Luthor and Superman will work together in the film against a much larger threat. Nicholas Hoult, who plays Lex, told Entertainment Tonight that his version of the character will be very different from the one seen in Superman.
Timeline
2025: Superman released in theaters.
- 2026-11-06
Hoult's teaser comments were published by comicbook.com.
2027: Man of Tomorrow scheduled for release.
Franchise Build-Out
Man of Tomorrow continues the DC Universe that began with Superman in 2025, extending the continuity established by that film. Its reworked take on Lex Luthor departs from the portrayal audiences saw in the opening installment.
Viewers will be able to see the new Lex Luthor when Man of Tomorrow opens in theaters in 2027. The extraction does not specify ticketing, streaming, or distribution details.
The takeaway
Fans tracking the DC Universe can watch how Man of Tomorrow reshapes Lex Luthor from Superman's rival into a reluctant partner. The shift shows how sequels can rework established characters to open new story possibilities.
Further reading
Explore more science fiction news and coverage from across the film world.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Comicbook.
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