Superman & Lois arguably made the DC Extended Universe’s Lex Luthor look worse with its new iteration of Superman’s most iconic DC rival. While Superman’s Golden Age adventures initially set up the Ultra-Humanite as the Man of Steel’s nemesis, Lex Luthor would soon replace him as Superman’s main rival. As Lex Luthor’s genius, obsessive hatred of Superman, and personal connection to Clark Kent were developed further over the decades, he would become not only Superman’s greatest enemy, but also one of his most complex.

Unsurprisingly, Lex Luthor is featured in a plethora of Superman adaptations, with Gene Hackman juxtaposing a comedic flair with his lack of empathy in the Richard Donner Superman films. Michael Rosenbaum would portray Lex Luthor throughout the long-running Smallville TV series, with his iteration growing into the role of Superman’s bitter rival. The DC Animated Universe would also have a fascinating and iconic take on Lex Luthor (voiced by Clancy Brown), who is initially portrayed as a corrupt businessman inspired by John Byrne’s post-Crisis comics, but who transitions into the role of a mad scientist and criminal syndicate leader.

Superman & Lois Season 4’s Lex Luthor Story Makes The DCEU’s Version Look Worse

Tyler Hoechlin portrays Superman in both Supergirl and Superman & Lois, with the two shows inhabiting different continuities. The Supergirl iteration of Lex Luthor – played by Jon Cryer – is an utterly ruthless modernized take on the classic criminal mastermind and mad scientist portrayal of Luthor, making him a credible threat to even the likes of Supergirl and Superman. Superman & Lois establishes a new version, however, played by Michael Cudlitz. This iteration also has an established history as Superman’s arch nemesis, but he has spent the past 17 years in prison and seeks revenge on both Superman and Lois Lane.

Despite perpetrating countless crimes, Superman & Lois’s Lex Luthor was incarcerated for a crime he did not commit.

Michael Cudlitz’s Lex Luthor is a slight departure from most versions of iconic villain, with Lex having a physically imposing build in Superman & Lois, likely as a result of his nearly two decades in prison. Some viewers might argue that this and other factors make him a more fitting reimagining of Lex Luthor than the Jesse Eisenberg version who serves as the main antagonist of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in the DCEU. Eisenburg’s Lex Luthor included many of the comic iteration’s most important traits, but he was nevertheless controversial among many viewers.

Why The DCEU’s Version Of Lex Luthor Is So Controversial

Jesse Eisenburg’s Lex Luthor is in many ways an authentic and comic-accurate version of Superman’s greatest enemy, with Dawn of Justice giving Luthor some similarities to his portrayal in Superman: Birthright. Luthor is socially awkward and quirky, yet there is no doubt that he is one of the most dangerous characters in the DCEU. Lex Luthor’s manipulations pit Superman and Batman against each other and result in numerous horrifying deaths throughout Dawn of Justice, with Superman himself being the film’s final casualty, having been killed by Doomsday – Lex Luthor’s creation in the DCEU.

Unfortunately, many viewers were not fond of Eisenberg’s version of Lex Luthor, and he ended up being one of the many polarizing elements of Dawn of Justice. Some viewers found Eisenberg’s Luthor to be too quirky and unhinged, perhaps lacking the seriousness and gravitas many would expect from Superman’s ultimate foe. Though notably, Gene Hackman’s version of Luthor also combined occasional goofy antics with his lethal criminal schemes. Sadly, Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor never truly had a second chance with viewers, only briefly appearing again at the end of 2017’s Justice League and the Zack Snyder’s Justice League director’s cut.

Superman & Lois’ Lex Luthor Is Exactly What The DCEU Needed

Although both the Jesse Eisenberg and Michael Cudlitz versions of Lex Luthor are portrayed as master manipulators and criminal geniuses, the two have vastly different demeanors. In the DCEU, Eisenberg’s Luthor becomes Superman’s nemesis over the course of Dawn of Justice and is initially a seemingly unhinged and almost silly take on the character – despite resembling the classic Lex Luthor by his following appearances. Cudlitz’s version carries with him an intensity and ferocity that comes from both an established history with Superman and many years of incarceration.

For this reason, critics of Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor who otherwise enjoyed the DCEU might wish the franchise made Luthor more like his Superman & Lois iteration. Zack Snyder’s DCEU films are notable for their intensity and often gritty spins on classic DC characters, perhaps making a version of Lex Luthor like Michael Cudlitz’s a natural fit for them. In any case, both Jesse Eisenberg’s DCEU version and Michael Cudlitz’s iteration in Superman & Lois are ruthless criminal masterminds who are worthy threats to their respective versions of Superman.