Nicholas Hoult Looks Incredible Suited Up At Lex Luthor In Superman: Man Of Tomorrow Fan Art

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James Gunn recently appeared on *The Howard Stern Show* and revealed the title of his upcoming Superman movie: *Man of Tomorrow*. He also announced the release date as July 9, 2025. Gunn hinted at a surprising plot point: Superman and Lex Luthor will be forced to work together when a major threat endangers Metropolis. This has sparked a lot of fan discussion, including impressive artwork imagining Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in his classic suit.

Over on Instagram, a new piece of fan art, the popular digital artist @spdrmnkyxxiii, just stomped the gas on sequel speculation. The popular digital artist dropped a polished one-sheet, which you can see below, that envisions a Luthor, as performed by Nicholas Hoult, shoulder to shoulder with Supes in a sleek, emerald battle rig. It’s not an announcement, but it is a vibe.

A post shared by 𝐒𝐏𝐃𝐑𝐌𝐍𝐊𝐘𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈 (@spdrmnkyxxiii)

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The superhero’s armor isn’t just a cosmetic choice – it’s a significant detail rooted in the character’s comic book history. Lex Luthor began as a criminal mastermind in the 1940s, typically seen in everyday clothes or a prison uniform. The iconic purple and green suit first appeared in the 1970s as a jumpsuit with built-in lasers. However, the major turning point came in 1984 when DC Comics, collaborating with Kenner toys, tasked artist George Pérez with transforming Lex into a heavily armored villain. This new look debuted in *Action Comics* #544 and was immediately featured in the *Crisis on Infinite Earths* storyline, briefly making Lex physically equal to Superman.

After the 1986 storyline, Lex Luthor became known as a powerful business tycoon, leading LexCorp instead of wearing a battlesuit. This version of Lex – a wealthy and influential mogul – became the standard portrayal in shows like *Lois & Clark* and the *Adventures of Superman* animated series (now on HBO Max), and continues to this day. However, the armored suit never disappeared for long. Artists in the 2000s, like Ed McGuinness, and later writers, including Paul Cornell in *Action Comics*, brought it back – sometimes larger, sometimes sleeker, but always recognizable with its purple and green color scheme. When Lex appears in the armor, it’s a clear sign he’s not just trying to outsmart Superman, but is preparing for a direct confrontation, or at least a serious fight.

As a movie and TV fanatic, I’m always checking out streaming options, and HBO Max is a big one. You can get in on the action for as little as $9.99 a month – that’s the price for their plan with ads. Seriously, for that, you get access to a huge library of stuff, especially everything DC, plus tons of movies, shows, and documentaries. It’s a pretty sweet deal if you’re looking for something new to watch.

According to James Gunn, the upcoming film puts Clark Kent and Lex Luthor in a reluctant partnership to face a bigger danger – many believe it’s Brainiac. This situation feels like a perfect setup for Lex to use his iconic War Suit, allowing him to fight on equal footing with Superman and the Justice League, and hinting at a darker turn of events. It could follow a similar storyline to a classic episode of *Justice League Unlimited*, where Brainiac takes control of Luthor, creating a terrifying combination of the two. This possession could happen mid-battle, starting with an exciting team-up before escalating into a frightening climax, forcing Superman to try and save the world while also protecting his uneasy ally.

As a huge DC fan, I immediately noticed this fan art felt *right*. It wasn’t some wild, unexpected take because James Gunn actually teased something very similar when he announced his ‘Man of Tomorrow’ plans! He showed Lex Luthor in that awesome purple and green War Suit, standing right next to Superman – and Superman was even playfully holding a screwdriver! So, this art feels like a natural extension of what Gunn himself has already shown us, it’s definitely building on established imagery.

Just to clarify, the image of Lex Luthor in armor that’s been circulating is created by a fan, not an official announcement from DC Studios. Plans for dates, titles, and ideas can change. However, considering the character’s comic book history and hints from the filmmakers, the armor seems like a popular and fitting addition to the story. Ultimately, the director gets the final say, but if the armor does appear in the film, fans will likely be thrilled.

We’ll see if Nicholas Hoult lives up to the hype when *Man of Tomorrow* comes out in theaters on July 9, 2027. Before then, the DC Universe will be back with the new *Supergirl* movie, scheduled for release on June 26, 2026.

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2025-09-16 00:38