DC Studios co-CEO and director James Gunn recently unveiled new set photos from the upcoming "Superman" sequel, "Man of Tomorrow," offering the first look at Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor in his full battle suit and drawing significant fan attention.
Gunn shared the behind-the-scenes photo on social media, captioning it simply "fit check," confirming the image was from the "Man of Tomorrow" set. In the photo, Hoult is seen in Luthor's battle suit, which closely resembles its comic book counterpart. The overall design clearly aims to allow him to directly confront David Corenswet's Superman, leading to speculation that Luthor is preparing for another showdown with the Man of Steel.
Lex Luthor's battle suit has always been one of his signature armaments against Superman in the comics. Lacking superpowers himself, the armor typically symbolizes his ambition to challenge Superman with technology, resources, and intellect. The decision to feature him in full armor in "Man of Tomorrow" suggests the film may depict a more direct conflict between Superman and Luthor than previous iterations.
However, Gunn previously revealed that "Man of Tomorrow" won't solely be a story of renewed antagonism between Superman and Luthor. During an interview with Howard Stern last year, he stated that the film will depict Lex Luthor and Superman needing to collaborate in some capacity to confront a greater threat. Gunn also emphasized that while it's Superman's story, it will also be Lex's film.
Current speculation suggests this larger threat could be Brainiac, portrayed by Lars Eidinger. If this proves true, Luthor's battle suit might not only be used against Superman but also serve as crucial equipment when facing Brainiac, giving the character a more complex role in the sequel.
"Man of Tomorrow" has officially begun filming, and this is one of the few behind-the-scenes glimpses released so far. In addition to Hoult, Corenswet, and Eidinger, the cast also features Aaron Pierre as Green Lantern John Stewart and Milly Alcock as Supergirl. The film is slated for release on July 9, 2027, and will continue the narrative of Gunn's new DCU.
via： IGN