James Gunn's Superman: Unveiling the Villains

The summer movie season is heating up, and all eyes are on James Gunn's highly anticipated reboot of Superman. Warner Bros. has recently released a new trailer that offers fans a deeper look into the plot and the dynamic between David Corenswet's Superman and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane. However, the spotlight is firmly on the villains, with the trailer featuring Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor, María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, Gunn's original creation the Hammer of Boravia, and the mysterious Ultraman. This raises the intriguing question: who is the true villain in Gunn's Superman? Is Lex Luthor taking a backseat to other DCU antagonists? Let's delve into the diverse array of villains and how they interconnect within the narrative.

Superman: Behind the Scenes Cast and Character Images

View 33 ImagesWho Is the Hammer of Boravia?

One of the standout newcomers in the latest trailer is the imposing Hammer of Boravia. This character is a fresh addition by Gunn, not drawn from existing DC comics but created specifically for this film. The choice to introduce a new villain amidst the vast DC universe is intriguing and sets the stage for unique confrontations with Superman.

The Hammer of Boravia was first hinted at in DC's promotional material, featuring a faux-Daily Planet headline about the havoc he creates. In the trailer, we witness his confrontation with Superman, including a devastating laser attack. The Hammer's reliance on advanced technology, particularly a weaponized battlesuit, levels the playing field against Superman. The suit's design echoes the Zaku from the Gundam series, suggesting Gunn's team has drawn inspiration from Japanese media. This blend of Eastern and Western influences, coupled with the classic Silver Age and All-Star Superman aesthetics, promises a distinctive cinematic experience.

From the information released, the Hammer of Boravia represents the fictional nation of Boravia, which has recently invaded Jarhanpur. Superman's intervention to halt this war draws the Hammer's fury to Metropolis, sparking significant political repercussions. The trailer shows scenes of this invasion and the subsequent international incident Superman causes, with even the US Secretary of Defense expressing concern. Gunn's Superman explores the complexities of Kal-El's role not only as a protector of Metropolis but also as a global figure, resonating with themes from Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman about the unintended consequences of his actions.

María Gabriela de Faría's character, The Engineer, plays a more prominent role in the new trailer after a brief appearance in the initial teaser. We get a closer look at her nanotech-based abilities, confirming her antagonistic stance toward Superman.

This portrayal marks a significant departure from her comic book origins, where she is part of the superhero team The Authority. While The Authority is not outright villains, they operate with a more aggressive approach to heroism, often disregarding collateral damage and national boundaries. This aligns with Gunn's narrative of contrasting Superman's traditional heroism with a new, more cynical breed of heroes, reflected in the film's costume design, which draws from Kingdom Come.

In the trailer, The Engineer aligns herself with Lex Luthor, eager to confront Superman. We see her battling him in a baseball stadium and attacking his robots at the Fortress of Solitude, not even sparing Krypto. Her belief that Superman poses a threat to humanity may shift by the film's end, especially considering Gunn's plans for an Authority movie, suggesting a broader storyline for her character.

Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?

The Engineer's search for Lex Luthor in the film leads her to team up with a mysterious, masked figure speculated to be Ultraman. The character's U emblem and ability to match Superman's strength fuel this theory. However, if this is Ultraman, the film takes significant liberties with the source material.

In the comics, Ultraman is an alternate universe version of Superman from Earth-3, leading the Crime Syndicate of America. Gunn's Superman is unlikely to explore the DC multiverse, suggesting this character might be reimagined as a genetically engineered counterpart to Superman, similar to Nuclear Man or Bizarro. The obscured face hints at a potential disfigurement, setting the stage for a dramatic reveal.

Physically, Ultraman appears to be the ultimate adversary for Superman, possessing his strength but lacking his morality. The trailers indicate that Kal-El will face a brutal battle against this formidable foe.

Superman vs. Kaiju

The trailer emphasizes the film's grand scale, showcasing scenes of buildings collapsing like dominoes. Superman's commitment to saving lives may inadvertently lead to significant casualties in Metropolis, echoing the destruction seen in Man of Steel.

In addition to human villains, Superman battles giant monsters or kaiju, reminiscent of Legendary's Monsterverse or Pacific Rim. One scene recalls Gunn's initial costume reveal photo from 2024, featuring a massive monster in the background while Superman suits up, with Lois Lane present.

The presence of multiple kaiju raises questions about their origin and purpose. Is someone orchestrating these attacks to undermine Superman? Lex Luthor's character seems capable of such a scheme, setting the stage for his involvement.

The trailer reveals that Superman faces a multitude of adversaries, but Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, appears to be more of a mastermind than a direct combatant. He remains focused on discrediting Superman, viewing himself as humanity's savior and resenting the public's adoration of the Man of Steel.

Lex's traditional motivations are evident as he works behind the scenes, possibly collaborating with ARGUS and Rick Flagg, Sr. The trailer shows Superman imprisoned alongside Metamorpho, indicating the political crisis he faces. While Lex remains the thematic and emotional antagonist, he relies on allies like The Engineer and Ultraman to engage Superman physically.

Lex's defeat is likely to be intellectual rather than physical, setting the stage for his continued presence in the DCU. The film will highlight Superman's triumph over cynicism, reinforcing the values of kindness and hope.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship

Despite the focus on villains, the trailer also sheds light on the relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent. The opening scene reveals that Lois already knows Clark's secret identity, showcasing her intelligence and journalistic prowess.

This dynamic differs from the traditional comic narrative where Clark reveals his secret after falling in love with Lois. The trailer suggests a close friendship between the two, with romantic tension developing over the course of the film, culminating in a dramatic kiss.

Gunn emphasizes the complexity of their relationship, highlighting Lois's strength and skepticism as she challenges Superman's actions. This portrayal ensures Lois remains a strong, independent character, far from the damsel-in-distress trope seen in past adaptations.

Who do you think is the real endgame villain of Gunn’s Superman? Which epic superhero battle are you most excited to see? Let us know what you think in the comments.