You know the name. Lex Luthor. The billionaire with the ego the size of Metropolis and a burning hatred for a guy who wears his underwear on the outside of his pants. But honestly, if you’re asking who plays Lex Luthor in Superman, the answer depends entirely on when you were born. Or, more accurately, which version of the DC multiverse you’re currently obsessed with.
It’s a role that has attracted some of the biggest names in Hollywood history. We’re talking Oscar winners, indie darlings, and TV veterans. Each one brings something weirdly different to the table. Some go for the "mad scientist" vibe. Others play him like a tech-bro who spends too much time on social media.
The New Face: Nicholas Hoult in James Gunn’s Superman
Let’s start with the guy everyone is talking about right now. Nicholas Hoult. If you’ve seen The Great or Mad Max: Fury Road, you know this guy has range. He’s the latest actor to take on the mantle for James Gunn’s 2025 Superman film, which basically kicks off the new DC Universe (DCU).
Gunn has been pretty open about the fact that this isn't just a cameo. Hoult is the primary antagonist. What’s interesting here is that Hoult actually originally auditioned to play Clark Kent/Superman. Talk about a pivot. Instead of the cape, he got the chrome dome. Early reports and set photos suggest a version of Lex that leans into the sophisticated, high-power businessman aesthetic, though with James Gunn at the helm, there’s bound to be a layer of calculated narcissism that feels very modern.
The Classics: Gene Hackman and Michael Rosenbaum
You can’t talk about Lex without mentioning Gene Hackman. He played the character in the 1978 Superman: The Movie starring Christopher Reeve. Hackman’s Lex was... well, he was a bit of a ham. He was a flamboyant criminal mastermind who lived in a literal underground lair and had a bumbling henchman named Otis. He wasn’t exactly "scary," but he was iconic. He didn't even want to shave his head, which is why you see him in various wigs throughout the film.
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Then you have the GOAT for many millennials: Michael Rosenbaum.
For ten years on Smallville, Rosenbaum gave us the most complex version of the character ever filmed. We watched him go from being Clark Kent's best friend to his greatest enemy. It was a slow burn. It was tragic. Rosenbaum brought a vulnerability to Lex that made you almost root for him, right up until he started doing truly terrible things. Most fans still consider his performance the gold standard because we actually saw why he became the villain. It wasn't just "I'm evil now." It was a decade of daddy issues and betrayal.
The Movie Stars: Kevin Spacey and Jesse Eisenberg
In 2006, Bryan Singer tried to channel the 1978 vibes with Superman Returns. He cast Kevin Spacey. Spacey’s Lex was much darker than Hackman’s. He was still obsessed with real estate (seriously, why is Lex so into land development?), but there was a mean streak there. He was willing to stab Superman with Kryptonite and leave him to drown. It was a solid performance, even if the movie itself received a bit of a lukewarm reception over time.
Then came the "Zack Snyder era."
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Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) is probably the most polarizing thing in comic book movie history. People either loved the twitchy, millennial, Mark Zuckerberg-esque energy, or they absolutely loathed it. He wasn't the stoic businessman. He was a frantic, rambling genius who hummed to himself and fed people Jolly Ranchers. It was a choice. A bold one.
The TV Titans: Jon Cryer and Titus Welliver
Don't sleep on the TV versions.
Jon Cryer played Lex in the CW's Supergirl and the broader Arrowverse. A lot of people were skeptical because, hey, that’s Duckie from Pretty in Pink or Alan from Two and a Half Men. But Cryer killed it. He played a Lex that was arrogant, brilliant, and genuinely felt like the smartest person in the room. He leaned into the sociopathic nature of the character perfectly.
More recently, Michael Cudlitz stepped into the shoes (and the beard) for Superman & Lois. This Lex is different. He’s spent years in prison. He’s gritty. He’s physically imposing. He feels like a man who has been stewing in his own rage for a long time, and he’s finally out for blood. It’s a far cry from the tech-bro versions we’ve seen lately.
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Why the Role is So Hard to Get Right
Playing Lex Luthor is a trap. If you go too "comic book," you end up looking like a cartoon. If you go too "grounded," you’re just a boring guy in a suit. The best actors find the middle ground. They find the insecurity.
Deep down, Lex is just a human who is jealous of a god. He thinks Superman makes humanity lazy. He thinks he should be the hero because he worked for his power, while Clark just fell out of the sky with it. When an actor captures that specific brand of resentment, that’s when the character works.
A Quick Rundown of the Major Lex Luthors:
- Lyle Talbot: The first one! (1950 serial Atom Man vs. Superman)
- Gene Hackman: The flamboyant mastermind (1978-1987)
- John Shea: The 90s corporate shark (Lois & Clark)
- Michael Rosenbaum: The tragic best friend (Smallville)
- Kevin Spacey: The cold-blooded land developer (Superman Returns)
- Jesse Eisenberg: The eccentric tech-genius (DCEU)
- Jon Cryer: The manipulative mastermind (Supergirl)
- Titus Welliver: The brief, intense cameo (Titans)
- Michael Cudlitz: The hardened ex-con (Superman & Lois)
- Nicholas Hoult: The new era (2025 Superman)
How to Keep Up With the New Superman
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the production of James Gunn’s Superman. With filming wrapping up and marketing starting to kick in, we’re going to see a lot more of Nicholas Hoult’s transformation.
Next Steps for DC Fans:
- Watch the "Smallville" Pilot: Even if you aren't into teen dramas, Rosenbaum's introduction is masterclass character building.
- Read "All-Star Superman": If you want to see the version of Lex that often inspires the movies, Grant Morrison’s take is definitive.
- Check out "Superman & Lois" Season 3: Michael Cudlitz’s entry into the show completely changes the dynamic and is worth the watch for his performance alone.
- Follow James Gunn on Social Media: He’s surprisingly transparent about casting choices and often shares behind-the-scenes tidbits about Hoult’s Lex Luthor.
The character is evolving. From wigs and real estate schemes to tech monopolies and existential dread, Lex Luthor remains the most flexible villain in fiction. Whether it's Hoult or someone 20 years from now, the bald head and the green kryptonite aren't going anywhere.