Exclusive: Titans season 4's Lex Luthor debut has been hyped by Starfire actor Anna Diop, who praised Titus Welliver's performance during scenes they shared. The actor will take on the role of overly-ambitious Lexcorp CEO and Superman's archnemesis. Titans season 4 was announced during DC Fandome 2021 in October 2021 and is expected to premiere on HBO Max.
First appearing in Action Comics #23 in April 1940, Alexander "Lex" Luthor is one of DC Comics' most iconic villains and a longtime foe of Superman. The CEO of Lexcorp, Luthor is a mad genius and narcissist who believes that the Man of Steel is a threat to humanity and has masterminded many schemes to stop him, including weaponized mechanical war suits, assembling the Legion of Doom, and running presidential campaigns. With the Titans set to visit Metropolis in season 4, Luthor is set to make an appearance and face the team of young heroes, and Starfire actor Diop has teased fans with what they can expect from Welliver's portrayal of the villain.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant during TIFF 2022, Diop briefly touches on the Superman villain's Titans debut when discussing her role in Nikyatu Jusu's upcoming horror film Nanny ahead of its wider release on November 25th, 2022. Diop reveals that she and the rest of the Titans cast were excited about the character's inclusion, praising Welliver's performance as Luthor. Diop also states that her scenes with Welliver were some of the first scenes she filmed for the upcoming season, calling it the perfect way to start work on season 4. Check out Diop's complete response below.
They just released recently that Titus Welliver is playing Lex Luthor, and that was very exciting for all of us. He's fantastic at it. My first scenes filming the new season were with him, which couldn't have been a better way to kick off the season and start filming.
Despite only now appearing in season 4, Luthor has already been a part of the Titans' world since the first glimpse of Superboy in season 1's finale. Season 2 introduced Joshua Orpin's Conner Kent in episode 6, "Conner," where the mysterious test subject escaped from Cadmus Laboratories and learned that he is a clone created from the DNA of both Luthor and Superman. While Conner eventually joined the Titans after season 2 and remained a member throughout season 3, Luthor's presence could potentially challenge the young hero and sway him from the path of good. Luthor could hold secrets of his origin and potentially position himself as an ally and even father figure to use Conner in a plot.
For longtime DC Comics fans, Luthor's debut in Titans season 4 is sure to be one of the show's most anticipated moments. Luthor is one of DC's most well-known and recognizable villains, and his presence brings more comic lore into the world of the show and could also address Conner's past and explore why he was created. And with Welliver being a comic fan and Diop praising his work during filming, it is clear that the character will be a highlight of the upcoming season.