Lex Luthor and Why He Should Be Included In The Superman Reboot!

Lex Luthor and Why He Should Be Included In The Superman Reboot!

Editorial Opinion
By LP4 - Feb 14, 2011 05:02 PM EST
Filed Under: Man of Steel

Ok, now I understand a lot of people are against the idea of Lex Luthor possibly being in the Superman reboot. I can understand most of you out there would want something NEW and FRESH. Well...it cannot be denied then that Lex Luthor though he has been in a lot of the films...has yet to be portrayed properly on screen. He is always being portrayed as an idiotic land-grabber. He seemed more petty in the films than actually threatening. I say he was "idiotic" because he always surrounded himself with stupid henchmen...and surrounding yourself with retards wouldn't exactly make you SMART...just kind of petty.

Anyway like I said...if Lex is to be in the new Superman film I hope they give him the kind of depth and accuracy to his comic book version that Rosenbaum and yes even John Shea had with the character. John Shea didn't shave his head right away I know but at least he gave a much more accurate portrayal of the character than the Hackman/Spacey versions. For those who never watched the 'Lois and Clark' series, John Shea portrayed a Lex who was a billionaire CEO of Lexcorp who tried to act as a humanitarian to Metropolis while behind the scenes he was corrupt and all through the 1st season tried to destroy Superman. THIS is exactly how Lex Luthor should have been portrayed in the films. Instead all we've gotten was a petty, land-grabber.

Rosenbaum IS I admit the definitive live-action Lex Luthor...only problem is he left Smallville before he had the chance to ever portray a fully-realized Lex Luthor. And Rosenbaum though he was certainly the best live-action Lex we have seen, he even admitted once in an early interview I read that he based a bit of his take on Lex from Shea's version of the character. Comparing them side-by-side they both had the subtle evil to their characters and coincidently in their runs as Lex both took over the Daily Planet and ran their own news-stories and such.

So now...I have come to the realization that IF Lex were to be in the Superman reboot, Snyder should make him a somewhat combo of Rosenbaum and Shea's Lex Luthors. Giving him the depth...emotions and...baldness of Rosenbaum's version but mixed in with the evil, corrupt businessman angle of Shea's version. Combining those 2 in my opinion would bring him more in line with the animated Clancy Brown version. Again, Lex doesn't need to be the main villain, he can just help aid the MAIN villain whoever it may be. But where there is a Superman...there HAS to be a Lex Luthor. He is an essential part of Superman's life and needs to be involved in the film somehow. If they are truly rebooting Superman FROM SCRATCH it would make no sense to ignore the very existence of Lex Luthor.

I would say the t.v versions of Luthor have always been the most spot-on...hopefully if he's in the film he will finally ditch the lame real-estate scams and start being the badass we all know he's capable of being.


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LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 5:55 PM
Plus, not sure if anyone watched the 'Lois and Clark' series but the very first episode where Superman has his arms crossed and is standing on the balcony of Lex's building outside his office is very reminiscent of the scenes in STAS- "Superman: The Animated Series" when he'd be standing outside Lex's office with his arms crossed as they begin exchanging cool verbal jabs at each other.

I just think for live-action...Rosenbaum and Shea did the best. Animation- Clancy Brown all the way.

For the film IF they add Lex, I hope he's a mix of Rosenbaum's and Shea's versions.
Ethic
Ethic - 2/14/2011, 6:05 PM
Completely agree man.
And seeing a classic Supes visit to Lex would be AWESOME, the exchanges in the animated show and some comics are cool out.
Rosenbaum's Lex has been the best, they just have to make him more corporate and a larger scale character like the animated take.
I despise the thought that the general public think of Lex Luthor as the giddy crook with a big slimey smile, it's a pathetic version of a brilliant character. I think he could take a back seat in the first film and work from behind the scenes as the main villain takes on Supes.
Unreal2k9
Unreal2k9 - 2/14/2011, 6:05 PM
I think the main reason why the television versions of Lex Luthor are normally better is because there's a lot more time to develop the character. Lex Luthor is a very complex character. It's very difficult to sell why Lex Luthor hates Superman so much in a 2 hour film. In both Lois&Clark and Smallville Lex Luthor was a series regular and he developed relationships with the other main characters which helped make his evil crazy side much more believable.

That's why I think the best way to handle Lex Luthor in a Superman film franchise is to have Lex slowly become evil and obsessed with Superman. So maybe in the 3rd film they can battle each other. It would be a lot more epic knowing the history of the two people established in the first 2 films.
LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 6:10 PM
@ZeroEthic- Thanks man! Totally agree about the general public's view on Lex. It is totally WRONG. Just because he's been portrayed as a moron on the big screen, it doesn't mean that's his real character. KUDOS!

@Unreal2k9- I see your point about the t.v versions of Lex vs. the movie versions. But still...if only Bryan Singer had put more effort to make Lex more diverse and deep like the two versions I listed...the film might not have sucked so bad. But i like your idea for a trilogy with Lex involved in it, makes sense to see the history of the two combatants!

Thanks guys for the kind comments! Wasn't sure what i was walking into when i posted this article at first! Usually...people by this point have a very sore opinion on Lex Luthor being in another film. He should be there though...can't reboot Supes from scratch and ignore the very existence of his ARCH RIVAL. lol.
LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 6:14 PM
I still loved the episode of 'Lois and Clark' when Lex Luthor bought out the Daily Planet and to my memory, he ran his own news-stories and was such a rich, PRICK. lol. That is spot-on Lex. And even though he wasn't bald for most of it (was bald when he was resurrected in later seasons) I think him having hair worked well for the show because in the show Lex was supposed to be really handsome and suave...it would be hard to portray that character when it's bald.

@ZeroEthic- Again I totally agree about Rosenbaum being THE BEST live-action Lex ever. He rocks! ;) And also agree about their verbal exchanges! GOLDEN!
Unreal2k9
Unreal2k9 - 2/14/2011, 6:17 PM
@LP4 I will be sorely disappointed if Lex isn't in the new Superman movie. A lot of people were complaining because they thought Lois wasn't going to be in the movie, but I personally think that Lex is just as important as Lois.
LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 6:21 PM
@Unreal2k9- Couldn't agree more man!!!! Hopefully Snyder doesn't bow down to the haters when it comes to Lex. Lex and Lois are two characters that shouldn't be denied a role in the film and yeah totally Lex is just as important as Lois.

:)

I personally feel...that the movie versions we've had so far...were not the real Lex Luthor. I mean...I think of him as a simple conman in those movies, but that just wasn't Lex Luthor.

LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 6:26 PM
I got some feedback one time from a friend of mine. He brought up a really good point. That in some ways...it is more important or at least makes more sense to have Lex Luthor in a Superman film...moreso than to have the Joker in a Batman film. Reason being- in some versions Lex Luthor has literally OWNED portions of Metropolis...at one time i remember he owned the police stations- reason why he was able to avoid getting in trouble ;)

Joker doesn't really own Gotham...so it is very possible to make a Batman film and to hold off on Joker till a later time. But with Lex it is hard to ignore a guy who owns parts of the city that the film takes place in.

It just wouldn't work well for Snyder to ignore Lex.

Still hoping for Brainiac as the main villain, with Lex pulling the strings!! C'mon Snyder! Make it happen!!!!
golden123
golden123 - 2/14/2011, 6:42 PM
Yeah I agree, Lex Luthor is basically a regular supporting character for Superman. Lex Luthor is there wheather you like it or not. He controls so much and is such an important figure in Metropolis that it's silly to ignore him.
Denn1s
Denn1s - 2/14/2011, 6:43 PM
of course lex has to be in it but as a background character. he has been overexposed in the films, and not in a good way. spacey was awesome as lex, but he kept the goofiness of hackman...if they choose to make him the main villain again, then at least give him the exoskeleton, so superman has someone to punch this time around...
LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 6:55 PM
@golden123- Thanks man for the feedback and yeah totally, it would be silly to ignore his existence.

@Denn1s- Exactly! The films have abused his character horribly. He is always goofy, always petty and just not very threatening in the films.

There IS a Lex Luthor very badass in the comics. Hell even during Kevin Smith's rant about Superman Returns, he also brought up the Lex-thing too. He brought up the same point about how lame they keep Lex in the films. He also said there is a Lex Luthor in the comics way more badass and pimp.

Here check out from 2:53-3:21 and that is where he talks about Lex and the misuse of his character in the films:

marvel72
marvel72 - 2/14/2011, 7:01 PM
definetly he should be in the film but not as the main threat,i want to see superman punch someone for a change,brainiac will do.
LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 7:02 PM
@marvel72- THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously would LOVE for Brainiac to be the main villain, have Lex on the side pulling the strings!

Hopefully Snyder can save Lex's character. I think Singer re-damaged the Lex Luthor brand for movie-goers.

-_-
LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 7:06 PM
@Gaston- Ok...i agree with you that with Hackman's Luthor i guess they needed to make him campy for the comics of those days. But I really feel with Singer/Spacey they had NO excuse to copy. Superman Returns was a modern film...they had NO RIGHT to go back and retread the steps of the old camp ways.

That is why I will never forgive Singer for what he did.

But damn even with Hackman...i mean- OTIS??? Seriously.

I still hated all the jokes and comedy with Hackman's version. Hopefully if Snyder uses Lex...I PRAY TO GOD he will combine the Rosenbaum and Shea versions. That is the way to go...for a modern audience anyway. =P
LP4
LP4 - 2/14/2011, 8:41 PM
@Gaston- True that!! He did seem a lot more vicious than the STAS Clancy Brown version. But dang I still hold the Clancy Lex way high up in terms of the animated universe ;)
IronicMan
IronicMan - 2/14/2011, 9:45 PM
Agreed.
Havok89
Havok89 - 2/14/2011, 11:56 PM
Lex should be in the film, but he shouldn't be the villain Supes will fight.

In the new film Superman should fight Brainiac and Metallo.
steelrocks
steelrocks - 2/15/2011, 1:29 AM
It makes me so happy that someone in the position/caliber of Kevin Smith see the atrocity that superman returns is, just like the fans.

I want lex luthor in the movie but not as the main vilan. Because I wanna see fights, I wanna see the glasses braking from the huge punchs/kicks in this movie!

grrrrrrrrr so excited!
LP4
LP4 - 2/15/2011, 8:19 AM
@Steelrocks and Havok89- Exactly been my point from the start =) Lex Luthor should be in the film but NOT as the main villain. Have him there as a support for the main guy.
Frogman
Frogman - 2/15/2011, 8:22 AM
I like many others want Lex there just not as the main villain. (well maybe the main villain but hiring/manipulating someone for supes to punch)
tomwazhar23
tomwazhar23 - 2/15/2011, 10:31 AM
BILLY ZANE!!!!!
I think he is perfect for the role!
picture of Lex Luthor Cartoon:
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/dcanimated/images/4/4d/JL_Luthor.jpg
2 Pictures of Billy Zane:
http://www.zap2it.com/media/photo/2009-05/47094805.jpg
http://www.elmulticine.com/imagenes/noticias/2/billy-zane-pic.jpg
LP4
LP4 - 2/15/2011, 6:04 PM
@tomwazhar23- Yeah I always wanted Billy Zane for Lex. But the route they're going it looks like they are going younger.

older Lex= Billy Zane

younger Lex= Timothy Olyphant

=)
MrGreen
MrGreen - 2/15/2011, 6:37 PM
If they are doing the whole Clark around the world thing it provides the perfect modern take to Lex Luthor. Without even having him in the movie Luthorcorp can be introduced in the form of government weapons, private military contractor (Blackwater), and an expoitive oil company (Like Halliburton). Give Luthor a hand in all these things that are hurting people in so many countries, building up Lex as evil and having Clark know the horrors Lex is doing abroad before he goes head to head with him in Metropolis. This would also allow for Clark Kent to be featured as an investigative reporter.
LP4
LP4 - 2/15/2011, 9:09 PM
@Superguy- No problem man =) I do thank you for just even coming in here and contributing your input! =)

Yeah he does need to be in this film, I mean think about it. Luthor battling Superman is like...the battle of David and Goliath. I mean this is a rivalry composed of a mere human versus a GOD practically. If anything- I respect Luthor. Plus he really feels Superman is a legit alien-threat to humanity and its progression. Gotta respect the guy :)

@MrGreen- Good point but damn I want more than just the Luthorcorp buildings...I wanna see the actual Luthor, lol. But I see your point, it is a good opportunity for Snyder to re-imagine Lex Luthor for his new Superman world. Like you said it could tie into the wars waged in the mid-east like weapons etc-

Hopefully Snyder will add Luthor in and we can finally see the TRUE Lex Luthor on the big screen.

@Superguy- I also agree with your last comment about the lameness of Hackman/Spacey! LOL. Rosenbaum is the best!
LP4
LP4 - 2/15/2011, 9:11 PM
Whether or not Hackman was the "true definitive luthor" his Luthor was still very lame. BUT...I respect it for being a classic. The one I still have a tough time understanding and coming to grips with is Spacey's.

It wasn't classic...he just copied old material that no one wanted to see rehashed on the big screen.

F/U/C/K YOU BRYAN SINGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xmentheeight
xmentheeight - 2/17/2011, 2:18 PM
nah...give him a rest. Get the franchise up and running again and bring him on for the second or third movie. The general public has seen so much of Lex, that to potentially feature him in just a trailer will have most groaning about "here we go again"....people know Lex and wont be forgetting him anytime soon, a break is in order. I truly hope that whenever they bring him in, he's just has ruthless and layered as the comics and animated shows. They can have mention of him, since he is so prominent in Metropolis, but unless he has a significant role in the plot, itd be pointless to feature him....or maybe unless they are showing him putting things in motion for the next movie. Every Superman comic doesnt always feature Lex or even mentions him, despite his heavy influence in Metropolis.....so its hard for me to reason that he has to be in the movie in whatever fashion possible.
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