Jason Momoa Reveals What Lobo’s Relationship With Superman is Like in the DCU

There was an interesting detail revealed inSuperman, a small piece of world-building that completely changes how fans view the new DC Universe.

The film’s opening crawl establishes that metahumans have existed on Earth for 300 years. It also reveals that David Corenswet’s Superman has already been operating publicly for three years before the events of the movie.

That means Clark Kent isn't stepping into the spotlight for the first time. By the time audiences meet him, he's already spent years building his reputation, protecting the world, and crossing paths with other heroes, villains, and cosmic troublemakers.

Now, it looks like one of those encounters involved Jason Momoa’s Lobo. WithSupergirl arriving soon, new comments from Momoa have shed some light on the relationship between the Last Son of Krypton and the Main Man.

Interestingly, what he revealed suggests the DCU is taking their dynamic in a different direction than fans might expect.

During an interview with Fandango promoting Supergirl, Momoa was asked about Lobo's history with Superman. His response immediately confirmed that the two characters already share a past in the DCU:

“He got in my way a couple of times,” Momoa said. “I gave him sāsā, but we respect each other… sometimes. We’ll see what the future holds.”

That short quote says quite a bit. First, it confirms that Superman and Lobo have already met before either character's big-screen stories fully unfold. More importantly, it suggests their relationship isn't built entirely on hostility. There's conflict there, but there's also a level of mutual respect.

That's a notable departure from how things have traditionally worked in DC Comics. Since debuting in Omega Men #3 in 1983, Lobo has generally been one of Superman’s most frustrating adversaries.

While they've occasionally fought alongside each other when circumstances demanded it, their relationship has largely been antagonistic. The reason is simple. Superman and Lobo couldn't be more different.

Superman operates according to an unwavering moral code. Lobo is a violent intergalactic bounty hunter driven almost entirely by self-interest. He's the kind of character who creates chaos wherever he goes, making him a natural foil for the Man of Steel.

Their battles often become brutal endurance contests because they're among the few characters in DC capable of matching each other physically. That's why Momoa's description stands out.

A version of Lobo who actually respects Superman introduces a new layer to their relationship. Of course, an actor's comments during a press tour don't automatically become official canon. But in this case, there's reason to think Momoa's understanding of the character comes directly from conversations about the larger DCU plan.

Momoa and James Gunn have a well-documented creative relationship that stretches back years. Gunn has openly talked about wanting Momoa to play Lobo long before the casting became official. The filmmaker also revealed that Momoa was one of the first people to text him after he was announced as co-head of DC Studios.

Because of that close collaboration, it's reasonable to believe Momoa has a solid understanding of where Lobo fits into the bigger picture.

The idea that Superman and Lobo share a complicated respect also lines up with how the DCU appears to be introducing the character.

Promotional material for Supergirl hasn't positioned Lobo as a straightforward villain. Instead, director Craig Gillespie has described the film as an "anti-hero story" at its core, suggesting that Lobo will function more as an unpredictable ally than a traditional antagonist.

Lobo has always been one of DC's most popular antiheroes. Fans love the character because he's outrageous, unpredictable, and completely unapologetic.

Positioning him as a morally questionable wildcard rather than a full-fledged villain gives the DCU far more flexibility moving forward. It creates opportunities for future team-ups, rivalries, and crossover appearances without locking the character into one role.

It also confirms another subtle change to Corenswet's Superman. Rather than existing in isolation, this Superman has already spent years navigating a world filled with powerful figures.

He's already built relationships across the DCU, including with someone as chaotic as Lobo. That history helps make the universe feel lived-in and connected from the start, which appears to be one of Gunn's biggest goals for the franchise.

We'll find out more soon enough. Supergirl arrives in theaters on June 26, 2026.