The animated Lex Luthor from the Justice League show is the best the character has ever been.

Michael Rosenbaum from Smallville was the best modern depiction. Both in acting and in the characters motivation and story.

At first, I thought Jesse Eisenberg's performance was going to be Lex Luthor's public persona. He was presenting himself as an eccentric, but that mask would be removed and then we'd see the "real" Lex Luthor. I thought it was interesting he would have his own version of the Clark Kent disguise. But... that isn't what happened.

I really liked Michael Rosenbaum's depiction of Lex Luthor. Both he and the writers gave us a Lex who was complex, layered and, most importantly, conflicted. I think it's to Rosembaum's credit that nuance was added that hadn't existed the character in previous iterations. I recently re-watched Smallville and I found myself really rooting for Lex to overcome his demons despite the fact I already knew how it would end.

Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor remains the very best in my opinion. He was layered, contextualised and multifaceted in a way we haven’t gotten since. The writing for him in Smallville and the dynamic with Lionel is just chef’s kiss.

Once again, the DCAU sets the standard for portraying a major DC character. I'm not even a huge comic book nerd, but those shows were awesome.

Lex has such potential to be an extremely complex and even sympathetic villain - there’s a reason so many alternate universe stories involve an altruistic Lex from a parallel earth, it’s because the OG has the brilliance to do truly great things if only he could get over his jealousy and ambition. To me that’s such a compelling character, and then as a villain, giving Superman a threat he can’t punch, he can’t chuck into space, and who is so clever, rich, and connected that the earth systems Clark has sworn to abide by won’t touch him… that’s just brilliant. All of that gets lost if you just make him a “criminal mastermind” or a weird little goober lacking charisma. He needs to be likable, he needs to be charming, he needs to be untouchable, and he needs to have the law on his side even if the law is blatantly corrupt.

Clancy Brown’s Luthor will always reign supreme in my eyes. That animated Luthor seems much more in every aspect; more capable, more intelligent, more intimidating, etc.

Clancy Brown Lex Luthor and Michael Rosenbaum Lex Luthor are truly one of the best versions of the character. You know what? Not only for his love of the source material, his deep and complex, his relation with superman and other heroes, his journey... Because he doesn't wash his hands after using the toilet. He is a villain.

Rosenbaum is a perfect Lex, like most characters in Smallville, it just was a tv show and was obviously drawn out, which prevents it from being the true character. But Rosenbaum will forever be my Lex.

What people don't understand about Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor is that he was based off of the Lex Luthor from the 1930s to the 1970s in the comics. After that they made him the versions you see in popular media after that.

Animated Luthor (Clancy Brown) and Smallville Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) are the best Luthors

I thought that the best way to portray Luthor, and done well by both by Clancy Brown and Michael Rosenbaum, is that Luthor is in *the wrong story*. He's the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps," industrious boy that will change the world by his inventions and mind and the world will love him for it. ...the problem is that he's in a four-color superhero comic, not a E.E. Smith science fiction novel or a Horatio Algers novel where that works. At some level, he realizes this, and this makes him very, very angry.

You missed John Shea as Luthor in Lois and Clark. I thought he played the mogul version of him really well. With jealosy of Superman as his prime motivation.

I know it came out just weeks before this video, but Titus Welliver playing Lex Luthor on Titans was an unexpected delight. He was charismatic like Rosenbaum and confident like Clancy, but also brought wisdom and maturity to the role I've never seen in live-action. He almost won over Conor and me in one episode! It was really bittersweet and I hope we get more of him in the role in the future.

Funny that Jon Cryer plays Lex Luthor in Supergirl. He played Lex's nephew in Superman-Quest for Peace. I'm sure that was intentional on the production's part.

Love this! Lex Luthor has always been one of my favorite villains. Michael Rosenbaum was incredible! It’s a shame that the character hasn’t been done justice in the big screen

I think that Rosenbaum did a great job in Smallville. John Glover's Lionel Luther in that show was a very good addition to the show and made you understand how Lex became the ruthless person in the end. Like father like son. Eisenberg's Lex just feels like a crazy person while Rosenbaum's Lex has been a product of his father's cold way of raising his son and see life as one big business transaction. Nothing is free, people are not for making friends but for creating opportunities you can exploit, people always want something from you, business comes first - always, love and friendship is for the weak. And through the seasons you can actually see Lex growing into his role, going from the average snobby rich kid with a few friends to distancing himself more and more from the few friends he had in the beginning and turning to the corporate life, becoming cold and eventually losing the friends he had and ultimately turning against them and everybody that stands in his way. Lionel Luthor was a huge part of Lex's mindset. You see none of this with any of the other Lex Luthor versions and to be honest, Eisenberg really isn't suited to play that role, he just comes off crazy while he should be portraying a person that is a total corporate workaholic and treats everything like it was a business transaction, exactly knows what he is doing, treats life as one big chess game and he is 10 steps ahead. in other words, nothing like the crazy mumbling fool he portrayed.

John Shea in Lois and Clark in the 90's is also a great Lex Luthor. There, Lex is both a brilliant businessman who has the support of the public and law, while also being an underground criminal mastermind. Shea plays both sides of Luthor perfectly portraying him as a brilliant villain who treats life as a game where he comes out on top. Superman's appearance first intrigues Luthor as a challenge, a test of an obstacle to overcome. As the season progresses, that intrigue turns to jealousy, as Superman starts gathering the adoration of the public, which he resents, because he is no longer the big man on campus. In the end, his evil side is exposed, the billionaire do-gooder revealed to be a fraud, and the real Lex emerges to challenge Superman in Seasons 2 & 3. Really well done.

Clancy Brown will forever be my favourite Lex 😊

I like the Lex Luthor from Young Justice. A man who’s always three steps ahead and gets inside your mind. And could get away with practically anything.

I was never a big fan of Superman or Lex Luthor, but I am a fan of Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor. His version has charisma in spades, and he could convey the character's complexity with pretty much every delivery of his lines.

Sad to see no mention of John Shea's performance in the 90s Lois & Clark series - which, in my book, also has the best Superman in live-action, due to the extensive focus on Clark Kent.

1:15 “Whose greatest asset was not money, gadgets or weaponry, it was simply his mind. Luthor showed us that a mortal could stand toe to toe against a god like superman” Kinda sounds like you described Batman in a way

We wanted Heisenberg and what we got was Eisenberg... Also, Rosenbaum is THE GOAT

John Shea is a really under rated live action Luthor. At least in season one of Lois and Clark.

You missed John Shea as Luther in Lois & Clark. Season 1 of that show may be the best Luther we have seen on screen. Charismatic, manipulative, and a Machiavellian villain who knows how look like a good guy.

It always saddens me that John Shea pretty much never gets mentioned when people list off Lex Luthor portrayals.

I've always liked Gene Hackman's performance as Lex Luthor but then again that is more than likely just my bias opinion having grown up with that Lex Luthor.

I felt you threw Jon Cryer's Lex under the bus. Jon did a serviceable version of Lex that worked under the constraints of modern TV. IMO, did a great job redeeming his former appearance from way back in Superman 3 and Jon showed he can do much more than the dreck from Two and a Half Men.

I think Jon Cryer is the best live action Lex Luthor. I can’t wait to see him as the villian in the new Superman show so much. Hackman is a verrry close second, and his portrayal is beautiful to watch. He’s loving the character…and it shows.

Great video. To this day the animated DCAU lex Luther is my definite Luther. He was done so perfectly in those shows, that I’m shocked the live action films didn’t just take inspiration from that. PS I’ve always wanted billy Zane to play Lex Luther.

I think Spacey came the very closest to Luthor as he *should* be in one very specific scene, but outside of that, I never really thought any on-screen actor ever did him justice; only the DCAU did.

What people always miss about Jessie Eisenberg is that when he is introduced he refers to his father as Lex Luther... so this is the son of the original character we know.

I love many of these Luthors, but Brown's is the voice I hear when I read a Superman comic.

I'll go the other direction, and give an example of the live-action accomplishing what animation or comic could never... Magneto. Regardless of how you feel about the big picture story, those silent, slightly lingering closeups on Ian McKellen's eyes convey more of the sadness, isolation, and rage that drives everything else, than thousands of words could ever do. I must give credit to the entire direction and editing team, to make the most of Ian's efforts. But nobody else could have given us, what Ian managed to in those quiet moments.

Kevin Spacey was honestly they play. I'm surprised that didn't work out better since he seems like he'd match the character so well.

Would have loved to see commentary on John Shea's performance in Lois and Clark. I particularly remember liking him as Lex Luthor, but I was a child and it was the 90s. It's probably aged poorly, but I would have loved a commentary on it against the other performances.

Clancy's voice is heroic. Whether he's slinging patties or catching brain bugs, he's a hero.

Can’t believe you left out John Shea’s Luthor. Would love to hear your analysis of his portrayal as it is probably my favorite.

One of my favorite moments of lex Luther happened in young justice. Even though he has a hatred for Superman and wants him gone he was will to work with him and the others when it came to protecting his planet.

"not just charming but able to win people over" That's what charming is

Before the Batman vs Superman movies, i always envisioned Mark Strong playing Lex Luthor, he was already bald, intimidating and highly intelligent and deadly. Of course that idea went out the window when he played the Villain of Shazam, which he did great btw.

DCAU Luthor and Red Son Luthor are my two favourite itterations of the character. I wish someone would film Red Son Superman in live action just to see Luthor’s introductory scene

One of my favorite things about Lex Luthor is how when he got proof superman was Clark Kent he was like nah, cause he didn't want to believe that someone with supermans powers would portray themselves like Clark does.

"All Star Superman" Lex really takes the cake for me. I liked Titus Welliver's Lex in Titans recently

In the comics you have superman who is alien, but with the heart moral, compassionate human. Then you have lex-luthor who is the opposite of this. But something that the movies never captured was that Lex Luthor is basically the perfect human specimen in every other aspect. He's strong, smart, successful. He's basically perfect in everyway except that he's a complete psychopath. In the movies they've always made casting choices that highlight lex luthors wit, drive, and ruthlessness. But the've never had an actor that also has the physical presence in my opinion. Meeting lex luthor in real life should feel like meeting someone who you know is smarter, stronger, and more successful than you will ever be, yet you idolize and love the guy because he's perfectly charismatic and know just what to say to get you to do what he wants.

Funny enough, there's a fanfic version of Luthor worth looking at as well. For a time, there was an effort to create all sorts of rationalist fanfiction (inspired by the success of Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality). One of those stories presented a Luthor who, while still criminal, was also a rationalist. In it, he decided that Superman needed to die the second he presented himself to the world, a choice stemming not from envy but instead fear and a small amount of selflessness. His thinking was that, the greater the power available to a man, the greater the good will necessary to prevent him from misusing it. In the case of Superman, Luthor didn't believe that level of goodwill possible, and the eventual consequences catastrophic. So, Luthor took a man clandestine approach to root out a way to end this potential threat to humanity. Honestly, it's kind of a blend of Luthor's and Waller's frames of mind, but it's a fascinating bit of characterization.

Thinking about this, with my actor and improviser hat on, I think the best path to portraying Lex Luthor on screen would be to play the character with a lot more subtlety than has generally been the case. As fun as it is for an actor, and the temptation is delicious, whoever plays him should avoid any scene chewing or grandstanding. He needs to be easily likable and someone the audience doesn't just want to empathize with, but almost can't avoid it. For that reason, it would be a great boon for someone who is already well liked to play Luthor. To that end, I propose the best possible casting of an actor to play Lex Luthor would be.... Tom Hanks!!!

I liked the discussion and analysis of the different versions of Luthor. I would have also liked to see your take on the Luthor from Lois and Clark which is my personal favourite. I liked how he was never directly involved in whatever scheme was playing out but it was all his design. I also liked that he was interested in the finer things in life but also had that jealousy.

This was awesome, thanks for the breakdown of Lex Luthor. I am so glad I found this.

The thing that really makes lex work is that his opposition to superman is deeply personal, even in stories where they've never met, or Lex isn't yet fully villainous. The precise reasons vary, but every memorable Lex is one where Superman is the bug under his skin, rather than just an opponent.

Michael Rosenbaum is hands down my favorites Lex. He’s the only villain I’ve ever rooted for just based on how much he endeared himself to the audience, much like his relationship with Clark- seeing him become a villain overtime is honestly heartbreaking as an audience member

Askelad from Vinland saga. Definitely one of the greatest villians I’ve seen in terms of charisma and relatability. SERIOUSLY if you haven’t heard of him, just watch clips of him and you’ll understand.

Very well thought and researched video!

It's been a while but the Lex from Young Justice was a badass and done really well from what I remember

I think it's also worth mentioning that Michael Rosenbaum plays a great version of the Flash in the DCAU as well. IMO the DCAU sets the standard for just about every DC character that it features.

My favorite version of Lex was Smallville. It feel like silver/Bronze Age (specifically Elliot S. Maggin Lex) , a sympathetic monster raised by Post Crisis Lex. I think Gene Hackman Lex was that is felt like a Bond villain with elements of Golden Age Lex (a man more interested in world domination and using science for power than simple schemes) and seemed to be a perfect template for early Byrne Lex. Eisenberg Lex seemed to have all potential (mixing modern comics Lex and real world Silicon Valley billionaires) but it wasn’t given space to be properly fleshed out unfortunately. DCAU Lex is amazing because we saw him as a post crisis billionaire CEO in STAS, Mad Scientist super villain in JL, potential president and he had the space to have his personality to be fleshed out and develop.

My favorite depiction was Kevin Spacey's portrayal in Superman Returns.

What we need is an adaptation of Superman All Star. Or atleast one that takes the core elements from that story. I really feel like it shows the best parts of Both Clark and Lex's characters.

That's a common theme that Justice League/JLU has the best incarnations of characters.

I think a Lex Luthor story that would be interesting to explore is Lexor It’s an entire planet full of people that adore and worship him, where he settles down and actually has a happy family until Superman accidentally destroys it and that has the potential to be a really interesting story

Lex Luthor is the embodiment of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.

Outside of the comics, JLU did the best job portraying Lex (even w/ the confines of being a "kids" cartoon). Other than that, the Smallville show did a good job of showing his humanity, (by giving a great portrayal of his friendship w/ Clark/Superman), but it was focused on making him more of an "anti-hero" than a vilain. The live-action versions of Lex, because they made him too much of a mad-scientist, as opposed to a cunning strategist. Lex should always be able to wiggle his way out of anything, & he should never be able to really be caught, or even charged w/ anything. He should be more like Batman, but instead of being "unbeatable" because of planning & strategy, he should also be a gifted strategist, but also be able to think on his feet when those plans fall thru. Ironically DC should take a cue from Marvel & try to portray Lex more like Dr. Doom, in terms of personality (just in a less noble & less flamboyant manner). And Lex should be charming & charismatic, & never "socially awkward". Giving him a powersuit, would help in his live-action portrayals too. He should be able to pose a physical threat to Superman w.o always having to bust out Kryptonite & have Supes drop to his knees, anticlimactically. They should fly around, fight & wreck the city, like Supes did w/ Zod. And their dynamic should be framed as Lex is extremely xenophobic, but he argues that he's saving the planet from invading "aliens". That could be a metaphor for our own "border crisis", as well as the Kryptonian invasion. Just play off of what happened in JLU to form Project Cadmus.

Let Clancy Brown do it on the big screen, not only was he amazing but the age difference between him and Cavill would work wonders emphasizing Lex's opinion of Superman.

This video was so good I subscribed. Stay nerdy my person

Thanks a lot for this character study!

Absolute crime that you left John Shea off of this list. Both him and that show are very underrated as far as Superman TV goes

Michael Rosenbaum's Lex was the best hands down.

I'd recommend taking a second look at Luthor from the SuperFriends: Full of venom and fantastic plans, great costume too!

Michael Rosenbaum is the BEST live action Lex Luthor hands down! I think he should be the next Lex Luthor going forward in movies

Agree with you 100% about Clancy Brown's DCAU Luthor. But I think you're selling Smallville short, Michael Rosenbaum is a fantastic Luthor. As is Lois & Clark's John Shea! Also, it's Christopher Reeve. No S. ;)

I actually really enjoyed Young Justice's take on Luthor (voiced by Mark Rolston), granted it's definitely not as fleshed out as his JL:AS appearances. I feel like they really nailed down a good balance with his charisma, manipulation, and intelligence, and having him play such a heavy role with the Kon-el storyline allowed for you to have that unhealthy envious relationship with Superman without it becoming specifically a Lex and Superman story.

IMO, the best portrayals of Luthor capture the projection aspect of his character. He claims to hate Superman because he could destroy/rule us at a whim. Luthor hates himself because deep down it's what he would do in a second if he had that power and projects that onto Supes. Superman is a living reminder to Luthor's that his intelligence and strength of will is always superseded by his greed.

Billy Zane needs to portray the next Lex Luthor.

Smallville lex Luther is my favorite lol

Jon Cryer's Lex was played pretty well.

Great insight. I really appreciate the commentary. I'm one of the few people who enjoyed Superman Returns. Moreover, I appreciated Spacey's performance. It's subtle. There's something boiling underneath his, smug as you put it, exterior. Then there's the Spacey's unique level of weird that he brings to every role. If it's a lot of a little. I could easily see a Grant Morrison writing a Kevin Spacey Lex Luthor. Or Spacey playing Luthor in the adaptation of All Star Superman.

That comment about Luthor being an attainable way of living, but falling short because he hasn't got the same moral center Supes does, made me realize why I like versions of Luthor where he is arguably a good, or goodish, guy. Luthor from Red Son and Luthor from Injustice come to mind; there is something really cathartic about seeing Luthor at least trying to get over himself.

It's Christopher REEVE, Goddamnit. How do you make a video on a Superman character and mix that up?

I honestly kind of like Jesse Eisenberg, he’s fun (at least in BvS, still never watched either version of JL)

I gotta say that John Cryer's recent portrayal on Supergirl and Crisis on Infinite Earths is the best I've seen since Hackman. Guy has some serious chops.

No mentions of John Shea as Lex Luthor by anyone?!

Well first, I'm surprised you didn't even mention Lois & Clark's Lex, which is one of the better on-screen portrayals. What he and Rosenbaum's performances captured was Lex's charm. You could believe that people who don't really know him think him a good person.

I had reservations when Jon Cryer got cast as Lex on Supergirl, but he proved to be the best Luthor on TV since Michael Rosenbaum on Smallville and Clancy Brown on S:TAS.

I always pictured The Rock or Mark Strong as Lex. Someone at the peak of human conditioning mentally and physically. Someone that everyone admired until Superman came along and proved that no matter what he could never measure up to Superman. That’s what makes him spiral into madness.

Luthor in his prime in Smallville was amazing

I think the only part Kevin Spacey's Luthor may have had going for him was that his character did physically look much like Luthor

Great video.

Rosenbaum's Lex is by far my favorite. Such nuance and depth - not to mention an insane character arc - that isn't in many characters, much less villains, much less Lex Luthors in modern day.

Smallvile Luthor was the best Luthor

John Shea was a very very underrated Lex Luthor.

Good video!

I really would have liked to see Idris Elba as Lex Luther and his public image would have been philanthropist and tech genius but in reality he never cared for people but loved the attention, he would have been on the cover of every magazine until Superman shows up and takes his thunder, Lex invents and cures and works hard for a body everybody envy’s and Superman Is born with everything

Its Christopher "Reeve." He deserves the respect of getting his name right

The animated justice league series has the best Lex Luthor. 😇

Mark Rolston’s Lex in Young Justice also deserves a shoutout.

I actually really like his version. That rooftop scene dialogue is what sold me.

I think Lex in his best form is when in addition to his cunning mind and determination is the "flaw" that he is a Human Supremacist... In a world of super-powered aliens and not-quite human heros, being someone who believes wholeheartedly in the supremacy of human beings makes for an intriguing antagonist.

If they had told him to act like Mark Zuckerberg His version of Lex Luthor could've been significantly better