Summary
Recent set photos and video from James Gunn’sSupermanhave confirmed that a notableSmallvillechange to Superman canon will be used in the 2025 film. Starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult, the film is shaping up to be a significant event when it launches theDC Universenext summer. Littered with heroes like Green Lantern and Hawkgirl, theDCUSupermanmoviepreviews shown thus farhave teased an exciting new iteration of the beloved character. Even the small decisions and changes that have emerged appear to have enormous repercussions on the new universe.
Smallvilleremains one of the most rewatchableDC shows, and was one of the most influential superhero stories of the era. DCU co-CEO,James Gunn has creditedSmallville’s Lexas his favorite Luthor, making it clear that at least parts of the series serve as examples of how to do the hero and his universe justice for him. With an enormous library of 217 episodes,there are many hours of Superman stories in Tom Welling’s series that could influence the DCU- and set photos have already confirmed one detail thatSmallvillehelped make reality for the movie.
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DCU’s Superman Is Using LuthorCorp Name Originated By Smallville
LexCorp has been renamed LuthorCorp in the upcomingSupermanfilm. While the company has traditionally gone by the former name in the pages of the comic books,Smallvillechanged it to LuthorCorp for the opportunity to explore the Luthor family dynamic. The series featured John Glover as Lionel Luthor and told important stories that went deeply into Lex’s development as a character. Lex and Lionel greatly disagreed throughout the series, causing significant thematic friction.
The name LuthorCorp has not only been used in some comic books since, but also in the Arrowverse. The name LexCorp feels more self-centered, aligning with certain character iterations, such as the maniacal Lex portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg in the DCEU. However, the use of LuthorCorp suggests a deeper legacy for Lex:there is more to him than his company and more to his company than just him. Exploring his family dynamics inSmallvillehas contributed to a more nuanced and compelling character portrayal that is hoped to be replicated here.
What Superman’s LuthorCorp Means For The DCU’s Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor inSupermanis now likely to have inherited his father’s company. The renaming of LexCorp to LuthorCorp suggests a legacy behind Lex’s involvement with the company, andsome iteration of Lionel Luthor may appear in the film. No actor has been cast for the role, so if Lionel does appear, it may be a smaller part. IfSmallvilleis anything to compare to, the dynamic between father and son can make for an interesting villain’s development.
This Lex Luthor, similar to thelegacy of Michael Rosenbaum’s Luthor, may be looking to get himself out from under his father’s shadow.This is likely to be an embittered, privileged man who is looking for his own way to make a mark on the world.With an enormous legacy behind his family and their company, it will be interesting to see how his family shapes Nicholas Hoult’s version of the Lex Luthor character in the upcoming film.
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How LuthorCorp Fits Into The Superman Movie’s Story
Lex Luthor has been confirmed to be the villain ofSuperman, meaning that LuthorCorp will be an extension of that. The company changes how it is defined for the story that it is telling, soit is possible that LuthorCorp here will be a weapons or science manufacturer creating artillery to take down Superman. Everything together suggests that Lex is unlikely to be a modern tech billionaire like he was in the Zack Snyder DCEU films. LuthorCorp suggests a longer legacy for the character’s power and fortune.
ASupermanaction scene at LuthorCorp was revealedin recent photos, suggesting that a direct confrontation of some kind will take place within the company’s operations. It is unclear ifLex will take his most powerful formandpose a physical threat with a LuthorCorp produced warsuit. He could also be participating from the sidelines, similar to his previous film appearances, producing weapons for the Engineer to use in a confrontation with the hero. Either way, LuthorCorp appears to be an important location for at least one scene in the film.
The reveal of LexCorp being renamed to LuthorCorp may not seem especially significant at first glance, but it has enormous implications for the Lex Luthor character.Smallvillehas influenced James Gunn’s onSuperman, and seeing how that series handled the Lex Luthor character makes changes like this seem auspicious. There are reasons to believe thatSupermanwill be an excellent event film when it releases and begins the DC Universe, and this change may be a significant contributor to that.
Superman
Cast
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
