James Gunn's Superman: Unveiling the Villains - Ultraman, The Hammer of Boravia, and The Engineer

The summer movie season is heating up, and the excitement surrounding James Gunn's "Superman" is palpable. Warner Bros. has released a new trailer that offers more insight into the film's plot and the dynamic between David Corenswet's Superman and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane. However, it's the array of villains that truly captures the audience's attention. The trailer showcases Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor alongside other intriguing characters like María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, Gunn's original creation, the Hammer of Boravia, and the enigmatic Ultraman. This raises the 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 various villains and their roles in the film.

Superman: Behind the Scenes Cast and Character Images

View 33 ImagesWho Is the Hammer of Boravia?

The latest trailer introduces us to the Hammer of Boravia, a formidable, armored figure. Unlike many DC characters, the Hammer is not drawn from existing comics but is a fresh creation by Gunn for Corenswet's Superman to confront. This choice is intriguing, considering the vast array of characters in the DC universe yet to be explored.

The Hammer was first hinted at through promotional materials featuring a faux-Daily Planet headline: “‘Hammer of Boravia’ Creates Havoc Downtown.” The trailer shows this conflict in action, with the Hammer engaging Superman and deploying a powerful laser attack. It's clear that the Hammer uses advanced technology to challenge Superman, resembling a soldier in a weaponized battlesuit, reminiscent of the Zaku from the Gundam series. Gunn's mention of kaiju in the film suggests a strong influence from Japanese media, blending Eastern and Western elements into this unique cinematic experience.

From the information provided by Warner Bros., we learn that the Hammer represents Boravia, a fictional nation that has invaded the neighboring Jarhanpur. Superman's intervention to stop this war has drawn the Hammer's ire towards Metropolis. The trailer depicts scenes of this invasion and the political fallout Superman faces, even drawing scrutiny from the US Secretary of Defense.

This narrative thread emphasizes the challenges Superman faces not only within Metropolis but on the global stage, echoing themes from Zack Snyder's "Batman v Superman" about the repercussions of Superman's actions beyond American borders.

María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, who was barely visible in the initial teaser, takes center stage in this new trailer. Her nanotech-based powers are showcased, and it's evident she's not an ally of Superman.

In a twist from her comic book origins, where she's a member of the superhero team The Authority, the Engineer here aligns with Lex Luthor. The film explores the tension between Superman's traditional heroism and the more cynical approach of modern heroes, a theme reflected in the angular S logo borrowed from "Kingdom Come."

The Engineer's allegiance to Luthor is clear as she battles Superman in various settings, including a baseball stadium and the Fortress of Solitude, even targeting Krypto. Her belief that Superman threatens humanity aligns with Luthor's views, though her potential for redemption remains open. Gunn's initial plans for an Authority spin-off suggest a broader arc for de Faría's character.

Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?

The trailer features the Engineer fighting alongside a masked figure speculated to be Ultraman, due to the large U emblem on his chest and his ability to match Superman's strength. However, this version of Ultraman deviates from the comics, where he's from Earth-3 and leads the Crime Syndicate of America.

Gunn's "Superman" likely reimagines Ultraman as a genetically engineered being akin to Nuclear Man or some versions of Bizarro, possibly with a disfigured appearance hidden behind a mask. This could set the stage for a dramatic reveal involving Corenswet. Physically, Ultraman appears to be the ultimate challenge for Superman, hinting at a brutal confrontation.

Superman vs. Kaiju

The trailer highlights the film's epic scale, with scenes of buildings collapsing and Superman facing a kaiju reminiscent of those from the Monsterverse or "Pacific Rim." The presence of these giant monsters in Metropolis raises questions about their origins—whether they're a regular occurrence or summoned by a villain like Lex Luthor to tarnish Superman's image.

One notable scene recalls the original costume reveal photo from 2024, showing Superman preparing to battle a massive monster while Lois Lane is present, hinting at her integral role in the narrative.

While Superman faces numerous enemies, Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, seems to operate more as a mastermind than a direct combatant. His traditional motivations are clear: he views himself as humanity's savior and resents Superman's popularity, referring to him as "it."

Luthor's efforts to discredit Superman may involve collaboration with ARGUS and Rick Flagg, Sr., leading to scenes of Superman imprisoned alongside Metamorpho. This suggests Luthor plays a more indirect role, using allies like the Engineer and Ultraman to engage Superman physically while he works on tarnishing his reputation.

Though still the thematic and emotional antagonist, Luthor's defeat might be intellectual rather than physical, allowing him to remain a recurring figure in the DCU.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship

The trailer also sheds light on the relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent. The opening scene reveals Lois already knows Clark's secret, fitting her portrayal as a brilliant and intrepid journalist. This scene echoes the 1978 "Superman" interview but focuses more on political discussions than romantic tension.

Their relationship appears to evolve from close friendship to romance, as evidenced by a dramatic kiss later in the trailer. Gunn emphasizes the complexity of their dynamic, highlighting Lois's intellectual strength and her ability to challenge Superman as effectively as Lex Luthor.

Gunn's "Superman" aims to redefine Lois's role, steering clear of the damsel-in-distress trope and showcasing her as a formidable character in her own right.

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.