DC has officially released the latest trailer for James Gunn’s Lex Luthor only appears for a few seconds, those moments speak volumes. It’s already clear that Gunn has nailed Luthor’s characterization, capturing one of the most essential and powerful aspects of the villain. If the full performance delivers on the promise of this brief glimpse, this could easily become the greatest live-action version of Lex Luthor ever put to screen.
With Gunn’s Superman movie closing in on its July 11, 2025, release date, anticipation among fans is reaching a fever pitch, especially with the drop of a brand-new trailer that delivers three glorious minutes of Man of Steel action and intrigue. While there’s plenty to unpack from the trailer, Lex Luthor’s screentime is a clear standout, particularly for comic fans.
Though Luthor is only given a handful of seconds, it’s already evident that this version of the villain is grounded in comic canon accuracy, especially when it comes to one of the most important and defining aspects of his character: his reason for hating Superman, which is rooted in deep jealousy, an inflated ego, and a firm belief in human superiority.
Why Does Lex Luthor Hate Superman?
Comic Page Comes From Geoff Johns & Richard Donner’s Action Comics Annual #11 (2008)
Before diving into the trailer and its depiction of Lex Luthor, it is important to first understand why Luthor hates Superman in the comics. While different versions have explored varying motivations, modern comic canon consistently presents a core idea: Lex Luthor views Superman as a godlike cheat, an alien whose very existence undermines human potential. Superman was born with powers that made him great, while Luthor had to earn every ounce of his success. This creates a deep resentment rooted in jealousy, pride, and the belief that an alien should not be held up as Earth’s greatest hero.
Lex Luthor has always been portrayed as viewing himself as the embodiment of human achievement. As a self-made genius, he believes he alone should stand as Earth’s greatest figure, one that is adored by the masses. But Superman’s effortless power challenges that. To Luthor, Superman’s popularity is unearned, and the iration he receives from the world is a constant insult to someone who believes greatness should come through work, not birthright. This festers into bitter envy, especially because no matter how much Luthor accomplishes, he can never outshine the Man of Steel.
At a deeper level, Luthor’s animosity is grounded in a belief in human supremacy. He sees Superman not just as a rival, but as a threat to humanity’s progress. Luthor fears that people will become dependent on Superman, losing their drive to improve and innovate. If an alien is always there to save the day, then humans lose the incentive to solve their own problems. In Luthor’s mind, Superman’s influence breeds weakness, not strength. In short, Lex Luthor hates Superman because he sees him as a threat to humanity’s potential, and is driven by a mix of jealousy, wounded ego, and a belief that a human (not an alien) should be Earth's greatest hero.
Comic Quotes That Expose the Real Reason Lex Luthor Hates Superman
Comic Comes from Tom King’s Superman: Up in the Sky #6
While much of Lex Luthor’s hatred for Superman is often conveyed through subtext, several key comics make his motivations unmistakably clear. A prime example appears in Action Comics Annual #11 (2008) by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner, where Luthor directly voices his resentment to Superman. In this scene, Luthor’s ego, jealousy, and belief in human superiority shine through as he accuses Superman of making humanity weak by encouraging dependence on an alien savior. He ionately argues, “[People] need someone to show them they can reach the stars without you flying them up there. They need someone human to aspire to.”
This moment captures the essence of Luthor’s hatred: he views Superman as a threat not just to his own ego, but to the very idea of human achievement. Luthor believes greatness must be earned, something he prides himself on, and sees Superman’s power as unearned and unnatural. He resents the iration Superman receives, viewing it as misplaced worship for someone who didn’t struggle to become extraordinary. A second powerful example comes from Superman: Up in the Sky #6 (2019) by Tom King and Andy Kubert.
In this issue, Superman reflects, “[Luthor] says he hates me because I show the world the limitations of humanity.” This statement further reinforces Luthor’s deep-seated fear that Superman’s existence diminishes the potential of humankind and undermines everything Luthor believes he represents. Together, these scenes paint a clear picture: Luthor’s hatred for Superman is rooted in wounded pride, jealousy, and a belief in human supremacy. He doesn’t just want to defeat Superman; he wants to prove that humanity doesn’t need him. James Gunn’s portrayal of Lex Luthor appears to be embracing this comic-accurate foundation, bringing one of the character’s most defining traits to the big screen.
Superman Trailer Delivers a Powerful Glimpse of Lex Luthor's Comic-Accurate Hatred
How James Gunn Captures Lex Luthor’s Ego, Jealousy, and Insecurity in Just 20 Seconds
The Superman trailer dedicates roughly 20 seconds to Lex Luthor, and within this short time frame, the villain’s hatred for Superman and the reasons behind it are made exceptionally clear. It’s presented in a way that feels entirely in character. Luthor is immediately established as a bigot toward those who aren’t human, outright refusing to call Superman a man and instead labeling him as an “it.” He follows this by declaring how this "it" has "somehow become the focal point of the entire world’s conversation. I will not accept that.” In this moment, Gunn brilliantly highlights Luthor’s ego, his jealousy of the Man of Steel, and his deep-rooted insecurity.
Luthor’s time in the trailer ends here, but this brief dialogue delivers a promising glimpse of the character. It shows that Gunn intends to stay true to Luthor’s comic-accurate motivations and hatred. Fans of the comics will be thrilled to see this level of fidelity, and for those unfamiliar with Luthor’s deeper character, his complexity and layered hatred for Superman will likely prove compelling. Though it is just a brief glimpse, it speaks volumes about the direction Gunn is taking with Lex Luthor and what fans can expect from the villain in the full Superman film.
Source: DC Comics
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Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
