James Gunn's Superman: Unveiling the Villains

The summer movie season is heating up, and all eyes are on James Gunn's latest project, Superman. The anticipation is palpable, especially after Warner Bros. unveiled a new trailer that dives deeper into the plot and the dynamic between David Corenswet’s Superman and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane. However, it's the villains that truly capture our attention. The trailer introduces us to Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor, María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, Gunn's original creation the Hammer of Boravia, and the enigmatic Ultraman. This raises a compelling question: who is the real villain in Gunn's Superman? Let's delve into the array of antagonists and their roles in this cinematic universe.

Superman: Behind the Scenes Cast and Character Images

View 33 ImagesWho Is the Hammer of Boravia?

One of the standout additions in the latest trailer is the Hammer of Boravia, a formidable armored character. This isn't a familiar name from DC's comic universe; instead, Gunn has crafted an entirely new adversary for Superman. The Hammer of Boravia was first hinted at in promotional materials, with a faux-Daily Planet headline announcing the chaos it caused downtown. The trailer shows this character clashing with Superman, wielding a powerful laser attack.

The Hammer of Boravia appears to use advanced technology to challenge Superman, resembling a soldier in a weaponized battlesuit reminiscent of the Zaku from the Gundam series. Gunn's references to the film's giant monsters as kaiju suggest a blend of Japanese influences in the design of these villains. Meanwhile, Superman's portrayal draws from classic Silver Age comics and the graphic novel All-Star Superman, creating a unique fusion of Eastern and Western elements.

From what Warner Bros. has revealed, the Hammer of Boravia represents the fictional nation of Boravia, which has recently invaded Jarhanpur. Superman's intervention in this conflict draws the Hammer's ire towards Metropolis, leading to significant political repercussions, including scrutiny from the US Secretary of Defense. This narrative explores the global challenges Superman faces, echoing themes from Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman, but hopefully without the tragic fate of Jimmy Olsen.

María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer

After a brief appearance in the first teaser, María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer takes center stage in this trailer, showcasing her nanotech-based powers as a clear adversary to Superman. This is a twist on her comic book persona, where she's part of the superhero team The Authority. In Gunn's film, Angela Spica, the Engineer, is aligned with Lex Luthor and actively opposes Superman.

The film seems to explore the tension between Superman's traditional heroism and a new, more cynical breed of heroes. This theme is reflected in Superman's costume, which features the angular S logo from Kingdom Come, another story that delves into similar themes. The Engineer's actions in the trailer, from battling Superman in a baseball stadium to attacking his robot servants at the Fortress of Solitude, illustrate her allegiance to Luthor and her belief in Superman as a threat to humanity. Whether she'll have a change of heart remains to be seen, especially as plans for an Authority spin-off have been shelved.

Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?

The Engineer's search for Lex Luthor introduces a mysterious masked figure, speculated to be Ultraman due to the large U emblem on his chest and his ability to match Superman's strength. However, if this is Ultraman, the film takes a loose approach to the character's origins.

In the comics, Ultraman is from Earth-3, a universe where heroes and villains are inverted. He leads the Crime Syndicate of America, a villainous counterpart to the Justice League. While the film likely won't delve into the multiverse, this character could be reimagined as a genetically engineered being similar to Nuclear Man or certain versions of Bizarro. The obscured face suggests a dramatic reveal, possibly with Corenswet behind the mask.

Ultraman appears to be the primary physical threat in Gunn's Superman, overshadowing Lex Luthor in terms of direct confrontation. This sets the stage for intense battles, with Superman facing a foe as powerful as himself but lacking his moral compass.

Superman vs. Kaiju

The new trailer emphasizes the film's epic scale, with scenes of collapsing buildings highlighting the stakes. Superman isn't just battling humanoid villains; he's also contending with kaiju, reminiscent of creatures from the Monsterverse or Pacific Rim.

This ties back to Gunn's initial costume reveal, which included a massive monster in the background. The presence of these kaiju raises questions about their origin and purpose. Is Lex Luthor orchestrating these attacks to discredit Superman? The trailer suggests that Luthor might be the mastermind behind this chaos.

Lex Luthor: Supporting Villain?

The trailer confirms that Superman will face multiple adversaries, but Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, seems to take a more indirect approach. Rather than confronting Superman physically, Luthor uses his allies to do his bidding.

Hoult's portrayal of Luthor aligns with the character's traditional motivations, viewing himself as humanity's savior and resenting Superman's influence. His efforts to tarnish Superman's reputation appear to involve cooperation with ARGUS and Rick Flagg, Sr., leading to dramatic scenes such as Superman's imprisonment alongside Metamorpho.

While Lex Luthor remains the thematic and emotional antagonist, Ultraman takes the role of the primary physical threat. The film will likely culminate in Superman proving Luthor wrong, emphasizing the enduring value of kindness and hope. Luthor's defeat may be intellectual rather than physical, setting the stage for his continued presence in the DCU.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship

Amid the focus on villains, the trailer also sheds light on the relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent. The opening scene reveals that Lois is already aware of Clark's secret identity, a testament to her intelligence and investigative prowess.

This dynamic is reminiscent of the 1978 Superman film but with a twist. Gunn emphasizes their professional relationship, with Lois challenging Clark on the political implications of his actions. While their romantic relationship develops over the course of the film, as seen in a later kiss, Lois remains a strong, independent character who intellectually matches Superman.

Gunn's vision ensures that Lois isn't relegated to a damsel-in-distress role but stands as an equal to Superman, both in intellect and spirit.

Which villain are you most excited to see in James Gunn's Superman?

• The Hammer of Boravia
• The Engineer
• The Kaiju
• Ultraman
• Lex Luthor

For more insights into the future of the DCU, explore every DC movie and series currently in development.