Zack Snyder’s controversial version of Lex Luthor can’t return to the DCEU, primarily due to the absence of Henry Cavill's Superman. The DCEU’s moody, conflicted Clark Kent debuted in 2013’s Man of Steel and has remained a point of frustration both for those who were unhappy with Snyder’s version of Superman and those who admired this interpretation and fear they will never see his story arc continue. Despite the unprecedented release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Warner Bros. is still reluctant to continue the path Snyder forged for the DCEU’s future.

Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor was first seen in 2016’s overstuffed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This interpretation of Superman’s archnemesis was far removed from the traditional kingpin of the comics that audiences had come to expect. Even with his machinations clarified somewhat by the restored footage in Batman v Superman's superior "Ultimate Edition", Eisenberg’s wacky, Riddleresque take on the villain failed to properly resonate.

Related: Superman: Every Live-Action Lex Luthor Actor (& How Their Versions Differ)

Despite his negative reception, Lex Luthor briefly returned in both the 2017 and 2021 versions of Justice League, revealing different intentions for the character’s future. However, Eisenberg doesn't know if Luthor will return to the DCEU, saying that he "would love" to play any character again, but also claiming that he's "probably the last person to know the answer." Although rumors have frequently swirled regarding Cavill’s potential return as Superman, these have largely been in a cameo capacity in other superheroes’ movies. Without his Superman, there’s simply no viable option for Luthor’s return that wouldn’t just invite further confusion about Warner Bros.' chaotic handling of the DCEU.

Lex Luthor and Superman Death Scream

Henry Cavill was absent from the faceless Superman cameo in Shazam! and there has been no confident sign of his return, despite Snyder’s ambitious plans for an evil Superman in the Knightmare timeline and to eventually develop the character into the beacon of hope and optimism from the comics. Therefore, it’s difficult to imagine Lex Luthor warranting another outing. He has always been Superman’s most famous rival, leaving questions as to how the character would function without the superhero. Although he established a connection to Ben Affleck’s Batman, with his possible involvement teased in the Snyder Cut’s Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello) scene, there has never been any confirmation Eisenberg was to join Affleck’s long-since abandoned solo project. Snyder also had plans to utilize Luthor in Justice League sequels, with the villain striking a deal with Darkseid (Ray Porter), but those films are unlikely to ever materialize.

Although Luthor’s cliffhanger cameo in the Snyder Cut was seen as an improvement over Batman v Superman, with a more subdued smugness and maturity when addressing Deathstroke, he remains a controversial aspect of the DCEU. It would be pointless to bring Luthor back without a story that properly demands his presence and sees him evolve as a major antagonist, and even then, the shadow of Superman would loom over any return. The DCEU already has a huge problem with unclear futures for major characters. Both Batman and Jared Leto's Joker were questionably absent from Gotham in Birds of Prey and, to a lesser extent, their whereabouts were queried during the events of The Suicide Squad. This mystery already threatens to undermine future projects, such as Leslie Grace’s debut as Batgirl in HBO Max's solo film. Forcing Luthor into another movie would only provoke similar concerns about Superman and other major players, like Lois Lane (Amy Adams).

Without Snyder's involvement, it’s hard to imagine another filmmaker suddenly transforming Jesse Eisenberg’s Luthor into a more widely appealing villain. Of course, some would be glad to see his story continue, even just for a cameo to help resolve Affleck’s arc. Unfortunately, Snyder only just barely managed to finally unite Batman and the Joker onscreen in Justice League. It’s doubtful Warner Bros. would risk reminding viewers of further missed opportunities without fully reuniting both Lex Luthor and Cavill's Superman.

Next: How Superman Is Different In The Justice League Snyder Cut

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