Titus Welliver’s most underrated role had one of my favorite superhero storylines of the past decade, and it is one that the new DC Universe can now use after its latest project. James Gunn’s DC Universe debuted with the animated Creature Commandos at the end of 2024 before Superman was recently released to positive reception as the DCU’s first movie.
Welliver does not play one of the DCU’s canon characters. However, he was involved with one of the most controversial projects before the creation of the new franchise. While I did not always love the live-action DC show the Bosch star was part of, one of his character’s storylines makes perfect sense for DC’s upcoming projects after watching Gunn’s Superman.
Titus Welliver’s Most Underrated Role Is One Of DC’s Biggest Villains
The Bosch Franchise Star Had A Brief Live-Action DC Role
Welliver might be better known for his work on the Bosch franchise, but he is no stranger to DC. The actor has voiced major roles like Carmine Falcone in animated Batman movies, as well as Rorschach in Watchmen. However, his most underrated role came in live-action, as Welliver gave life to Lex Luthor, Superman’s nemesis, in Titans season 4.
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Welliver’s version of Lex Luthor was the villain’s usual calm and collected self from DC Comics. In Titans, he had one of my favorite storylines on the show despite only appearing in one episode. Welliver’s Lex Luthor was dying, and so he wanted to pass on all his knowledge to his “son,” the Superman clone he had created, Conner Kent.
This was an impactful storyline that showcased a different side of Lex. By having a more vulnerable side with Superboy, we got to see how the villain can be more than just Superman’s nemesis. It was also interesting to delve into how a veteran Lex Luthor was dying of Kryptonite poisoning after years of use. Lex had regrets and hopes.
Superman Set Up How The DCU Could Repeat The Best Part Of Titus Welliver’s Most Underrated Role
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor Might Be The Best Version Of The Villain Yet
Warning! This article contains spoilers for Superman.After watching James Gunn’s Superman movie, I’m convinced the DCU has set up the perfect way to tap into the best part of Titus Welliver’s most underrated role. In the film, it is revealed that Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor used a strand of Superman’s hair to create Ultraman, a powerful yet faulty clone of David Corenswet’s Man of Steel.
With Ultraman seemingly dead, the slate is clean for Luthor to try to clone the hero again. That could lead to Superboy making his DCU debut, especially with a Teen Titans movie in development. Lex tried to clone Superman, and it did not work properly, but by merging his DNA with Kal-El’s, he could create a better version.
The Cast Of James Gunn’s Superman Movie
Actor
Character
David Corenswet
Clark Kent/Superman
Rachel Brosnahan
Lois Lane
Nicholas Hoult
Lex Luthor
Skyler Gisondo
Jimmy Olsen
Terence Rosemore
Otis
Sara Sampaio
Eve Teschmacher
Nathan Fillion
Guy Gardner/Green Lantern
Edi Gathegi
Michael Holt/Mister Terrific
Isabela Merced
Hawkgirl
Anthony Carrigan
Rex Mason/Metamorpho
María Gabriela De Faría
Angela Spica/The Engineer
At the end of Superman, we get monologues from Lex about his own status and envy of Superman, as well as from Corenswet’s hero about how human he is. Conner Kent could be the best of both worlds. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor displayed an authoritarian yet emotional persona, so I believe he is perfect for repeating the storyline of Titus Welliver’s Lex.