James Gunn's upcoming Superman film, slated for release on July 11, 2025, is generating considerable buzz among comic book enthusiasts. Gunn, known for his successful work on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and DC's The Suicide Squad, has garnered goodwill for his apparent love for comic book source material. A blurry photo from the set has surfaced, seemingly confirming the inclusion of Lex Luthor's iconic purple-and-green battle armor, a staple from the comics, particularly popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

Lex Luthor's character, since his debut in 1940's Action Comics #23, has undergone numerous transformations. Initially portrayed as a businessman with advanced technology, Luthor's defining traits quickly became his genius-level intellect, both financial and technical, and his obsessive need for revenge against Superman. His use of gadgets allowed him to directly confront the Man of Steel, a theme that persisted throughout his various adaptations.

In the 1950s serial, Atom Man vs. Superman, Luthor appeared as "Atom Man," sporting a distinctive helmet. Although this look didn't stick, it influenced the comics' depiction of the character for years. Despite this, Luthor generally avoided costumes, opting for more casual attire in animated series like The New Adventures of Superman (1966). However, The Superman/Batman Hour (1968) saw Luthor in a bright orange spacesuit while wielding a laser weapon on the moon.

A significant change came in 1974 with Superman #282, where Luthor debuted his purple-and-green "Battle Array" costume, equipped with jet boots and "pain-inducing gloves." This look became iconic when Luthor led the Legion of Doom in the Challenge of the Superfriends cartoon in 1978, exposing a new generation to the broader DC Universe.

In 1983, coinciding with Superman's 45th anniversary, Luthor received another makeover in Action Comics #544. His Battle Array costume was replaced by a war suit built from alien technology, providing him with the means to truly challenge Superman physically. This war suit remained a constant through various DC Universe reboots, with its origins ranging from LexCorp creations to Kryptonian or Apokoliptian technology. Regardless of its source, the war suit allowed writers to equip Luthor with a variety of weapons, including Kryptonite, ensuring he could always engage in direct combat with Superman.

The war suit has made appearances in television shows like the Diniverse cartoons and Superman & Lois, as well as in DC animated movies. However, it has been notably absent from big-screen adaptations. While Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal in the DCEU hinted at the suit, it never fully materialized.

Gunn's Superman seems poised to embrace elements that previous live-action adaptations have avoided, such as Krypto the Superdog, Mister Terrific, and Guy Gardner. Nicholas Hoult's portrayal of Lex Luthor appears to be heavily influenced by the comics, with glimpses of him in a business suit, a tuxedo with a revolver, and a shot of his face bearing injuries. This suggests the war suit will play a significant role in the film, allowing Luthor to physically confront Superman.

The inclusion of the war suit not only allows Luthor to battle Superman on equal footing but also pays homage to the character's more outlandish comic book incarnations. With Hoult's action background, including roles in the X-Men films and Mad Max: Fury Road, he is well-suited for the role. Moreover, it could be seen as a dig at the MCU, which is reportedly turning to a Doctor Doom variant to revitalize its franchise.

Superman, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, is set to explore Superman's journey as he balances his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing, embodying truth and justice in a world that often undervalues kindness. The film promises to be a faithful adaptation of the comics, with Lex Luthor's war suit serving as a key element in the conflict between the two iconic characters.