James Gunn's Superman: Unveiling the Villains

The summer movie season is heating up, and all eyes are on James Gunn's Superman. Anticipation for this big-screen reboot continues to grow, with Warner Bros. releasing a brand-new trailer that provides deeper insight into the movie's plot and the dynamic relationship between David Corenswet's Superman and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane.

However, the real excitement surrounds the villains. The latest trailer not only showcases Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor but also introduces characters like María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, Gunn's original creation, the Hammer of Boravia, and the mysterious Ultraman. This raises the question: who is the primary antagonist in Gunn's Superman? Is Lex Luthor taking a backseat to other DCU villains? Let's delve into the array of villains featured and see how they interconnect within the film's narrative.

Superman: Behind the Scenes Cast and Character Images

View 33 Images

Who Is the Hammer of Boravia?

One of the standout newcomers in the latest trailer is the Hammer of Boravia, a hulking, armored character. Don't worry if you're not familiar with this name; Gunn has crafted an entirely new villain for David Corenswet's Superman to confront. This choice is intriguing, especially given the vast DC character library that remains largely unexplored by the DCU.

The Hammer of Boravia was first hinted at in DC's promotional materials, featuring a faux-Daily Planet headline: “‘Hammer of Boravia’ Creates Havoc Downtown.” The trailer brings this conflict to life, showing the Hammer engaging in combat with Superman and unleashing a powerful laser attack.

It's clear that the Hammer relies on advanced technology to challenge Superman, appearing as a soldier in a weaponized battlesuit reminiscent of the Zaku from the Gundam series. Gunn's reference to the giant monsters in the film as kaiju suggests a strong influence from Japanese media, blending Eastern and Western elements into this unique Superman narrative.

From what Warner Bros. has disclosed, the Hammer of Boravia represents the fictional nation of Boravia, which recently invaded Jarhanpur. Superman's intervention to halt the war draws the Hammer's fury upon Metropolis. The trailer illustrates scenes of this invasion and hints at the political repercussions Superman faces, including pressure from the US Secretary of Defense.

This storyline underscores the challenges Superman faces not only in Metropolis but also on the global stage, echoing themes from Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman about the unintended consequences of Superman's actions.

María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer

After a brief appearance in the first teaser, María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer takes a more prominent role in the new trailer. We get a closer look at her nanotech-based abilities, confirming she is no ally to Superman.

In a twist from her comic book counterpart, who is part of the superhero team The Authority, the film's Engineer, Angela Spica, works for Lex Luthor. This version of Angela embodies the conflict between Superman's traditional heroism and the more cynical, militant approach of modern heroes, reflected even in Superman's costume, which draws from the angular S logo of Kingdom Come.

The trailer shows Angela battling Superman in a baseball stadium and attacking his robotic servants in the Fortress of Solitude, even targeting Krypto. It seems Angela views Superman as a threat to humanity, aligning herself with Luthor's cause. Though Gunn once planned an Authority spin-off, Superman appears to be setting up a larger arc for her character.

Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?

Alongside the Engineer, we see her fighting with a masked figure speculated to be Ultraman, due to the large U emblem on his chest and his ability to match Superman's strength.

While traditionally Ultraman is from Earth-3, a world where heroes and villains are reversed, Gunn's film seems to be taking creative liberties. It's unlikely the film will delve into the DC multiverse; instead, Ultraman might resemble Nuclear Man from Superman IV or certain versions of Bizarro, possibly a genetically engineered being mimicking Superman's powers. His obscured face could set up a dramatic reveal, hinting at a deeper connection to Superman.

Physically, Ultraman appears to be the ultimate adversary Superman must face, lacking the moral compass that defines the Man of Steel.

Superman vs. Kaiju

The trailer emphasizes the epic scale of the film, with scenes of collapsing buildings. Superman's mission to protect lives is complicated by the presence of giant monsters, or kaiju, reminiscent of the Monsterverse or Pacific Rim.

A scene from the original costume reveal photo shows Superman suiting up while a massive monster attacks Metropolis, a sequence that will unfold in the film with Lois Lane present. The presence of these kaiju raises questions about their origin and purpose—could Lex Luthor be orchestrating this chaos to discredit Superman?

Lex Luthor: Supporting Villain?

The trailer confirms Superman will face numerous adversaries, but it appears Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor will not be directly confronting him. Instead, Lex orchestrates events from behind the scenes, using characters like the Engineer and Ultraman to challenge Superman physically while he focuses on tarnishing his reputation.

Lex's motivations remain traditional; he views himself as humanity's savior and resents Superman's influence, referring to him derogatorily as "it." His actions suggest a possible alliance with ARGUS and Rick Flagg, Sr., culminating in Superman's imprisonment alongside Metamorpho.

While Lex is Superman's arch-nemesis, his role in the film seems more thematic and intellectual rather than physical. Ultraman serves as the main physical threat, but the film will likely end with Superman proving Lex wrong, reinforcing the values of kindness, decency, and hope.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship

The new trailer also sheds light on the dynamic between Lois Lane and Clark Kent. The opening scene reveals that Lois is already aware of Clark's secret identity, showcasing her intelligence and journalistic prowess.

The scene harks back to the 1978 Superman film, but Gunn emphasizes Lois's role as a reporter over romantic tension. Their relationship appears to start as a close friendship, evolving into something more, as evidenced by their kiss later in the trailer.

Gunn has highlighted the complexity of their relationship, focusing on how Lois, a strong-willed and skeptical journalist, navigates her bond with someone who can lift skyscrapers. This portrayal aims to avoid the damsel-in-distress trope, positioning Lois as an intellectual equal to both Superman and Lex Luthor.

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.