Skip to main content Games Radar Retro Gamer Total Film The smarter take on movies Search GamesRadar+ View Profile Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Tabletop Gaming Toys & Collectibles Retro Gamer Newsletters Gaming Magazines Why subscribe? Subscribe from just £3 Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love Try a single issue or save on a subscription Issues delivered straight to your door or device From£9.99Subscribe now Best Netflix Movies Best movies on Disney Plus Movie Release Dates Best Netflix Shows Recommended reading The many lives of Lex Luthor: The comic book history of Superman's arch enemy Lex Luthor actor Nicholas Hoult says it wasn't "about trying to do something different" with his iconic Superman villain: "It's nice that they've got such legacy" New Superman trailer sees Lex Luthor's hatred burn bright while the Man of Steel is at odds with the Justice League James Gunn confirms he considered Bradley Cooper for Lex Luthor in Superman before casting Nicholas Hoult James Gunn says that controversial Superman lore change was because he allowed himself "to make changes where changes might work" and be "interesting for the DCU" Superman ending explained: your biggest questions answered on Lex Luthor, the Justice Gang, and what it sets up for the DCU One Superman actor reveals a Krypto scene was cut because it did "really bad" in test screenings, but they were "pissed" it was left out Entertainment Action Movies James Gunn says Superman's most shocking death was originally even darker: "Lex looks down and sees the blood is about to get on his shoes" 23 July 2025 "That was a scene that we shot, but we cut it early so I don't even think it made it to a test screening" When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: DC Studios) Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor does some pretty villainous stuff in James Gunn's Superman, from starting a global smear campaign against the Man of Steel and kidnapping Krypto to holing every person who's ever crossed him up in a pocket universe prison. Seriously, what a jerk! Now, though, writer-director James Gunn has revealed that the scene that sees Luthor kill Metropolis citizen Malik after Kal-El fails to answers his questions was originally even darker -- and featured a bunch more blood. "So, Lex shoots a guy in the head. That was always done in an extreme wide [shot], so it's not too graphic," Gunn explained on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast. "But the guy fell on the ground, and blood is pouring out onto the platform. Lex looks down and he sees that the blood is about to get on his shoe and he's like, 'Oh my god!' He's like me, I'm very OCD. He's like, 'Ghurkos, get down on the ground and soak up the blood!' You may like The many lives of Lex Luthor: The comic book history of Superman's arch enemy Lex Luthor actor Nicholas Hoult says it wasn't "about trying to do something different" with his iconic Superman villain: "It's nice that they've got such legacy" New Superman trailer sees Lex Luthor's hatred burn bright while the Man of Steel is at odds with the Justice League "And Ghurkos goes, 'What? No!' and Nick's delivery is great because he just looks at him straight and he's like, 'No?' Then Ghurkos just, sheepishly, trudges forward and lays down on his back and starts soaking up the blood. And Nick looks over to Superman and says, 'See you tomorrow'. That was a scene that we shot, but we cut it early so I don't even think it made it to a test screening." Dropping us right in the middle of the action, Superman picks up with David Corenswet's Big Blue three years after he's publicly announced himself as the titular world saver. Despite priding himself on his do-gooder deeds, Supes' reputation is in tatters, having inserted himself into the politically delicate Boravia/Jarhanpur conflict. When dark details from his past comes to light, Superman has to forge his own path; figuring out what being a hero really means as he flirts with Lois Lane and bests bad guys. Superman is in theaters now. For more, check out our guide to the most exciting upcoming superhero movies heading our way. See more Movies News Social Links Navigation I am an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things TV and film across our Total Film and SFX sections. Elsewhere, my words have been published by the likes of Digital Spy, SciFiNow, PinkNews, FANDOM, Radio Times, and Total Film magazine. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. The many lives of Lex Luthor: The comic book history of Superman's arch enemy Lex Luthor actor Nicholas Hoult says it wasn't "about trying to do something different" with his iconic Superman villain: "It's nice that they've got such legacy" New Superman trailer sees Lex Luthor's hatred burn bright while the Man of Steel is at odds with the Justice League James Gunn confirms he considered Bradley Cooper for Lex Luthor in Superman before casting Nicholas Hoult James Gunn says that controversial Superman lore change was because he allowed himself "to make changes where changes might work" and be "interesting for the DCU" Superman ending explained: your biggest questions answered on Lex Luthor, the Justice Gang, and what it sets up for the DCU Latest in DC Movies Pedro Pascal was "appalled" by the way he looked in Wonder Woman 1984 and says he'll never go back to a clean-shaven look again "unless it were completely necessary" The White Lotus star Lisa has posted a mysterious DC tease, and now fans are convinced she's got a role in the DCU as Catwoman or Batgirl James Gunn says Superman "is not a big known superhero in some places, like Batman," which might explain why the movie is underperforming overseas After James Gunn said the movie was a "priority", the DCU's Wonder Woman reboot hires Supergirl screenwriter to pen the script DC boss James Gunn gets into the lore weeds trying to explain a big spoiler as well as Supergirl's relationship with Superman: "She's younger than him" James Gunn almost cut Superman's most controversial scene after a bad test screening: "Why the f*** is he saving a squirrel?" Latest in News New cryptic post suggests that fan-favorite Daredevil character from the original Netflix series may be returning for Daredevil: Born Again season 2 James Gunn continues his war on DC canon as he reveals he "hates" how Peacemaker cameos in Black Adam and Shazam has made his rebooted universe even more confusing "Father of The Elder Scrolls" Julian Lefay has passed away, and his team say his "legacy will live on in every realm, every quest, and every moment of wonder" in the upcoming fantasy RPG The Wayward Realms Francis Ford Coppola wants to re-edit his divisive passion project Megalopolis to make it "more weird": "I own the picture, I can do anything I want with it" Obsidian says Grounded isn't going anywhere after Grounded 2 releases this month: "There's a strong desire on our side to make sure that our games are preserved" Fantastic Four beats Superman in the battle of the superhero Rotten Tomatoes scores, but there's only three points in it GAME REVIEWS MOVIE REVIEWS Wuchang: Fallen Feathers review: "Flashy combos are impressive, but boss battle frustrations get in the way of me actually using them" Donkey Kong Bananza Review: "Destruction isn't just a flashy gimmick for the Minecraft generation, it's one of the best inventions Nintendo has had in years" Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 review: "A nostalgic, must-play hit for fans" College Football 26 review: “Thanks to rivalries and dynasty, this is the greatest show on turf” Mecha Break review: "This mech battler makes up for lacking customization with a varied roster that lets me live out my Evangelion fantasy" The Fantastic Four: First Steps review: "An occasionally thrilling heroic adventure that sits safely within a B-tier MCU range" Superman review: "A triumphant reinvention and a promising start for the DCU" Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber" M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion" 28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy” Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever" Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era" Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date" Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling" Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision GamesRadar+ is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Contact Future's experts Terms and conditions Privacy policy Cookies policy Advertise with us Review guidelines Write for us Accessibility Statement Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Please login or signup to comment Please wait...