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

The summer movie season is heating up, and all eyes are on James Gunn's Superman. Anticipation for this highly-anticipated reboot continues to soar, with Warner Bros. releasing a captivating new trailer that offers deeper insights into the film's plot and the evolving relationship between David Corenswet's Superman and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane.

However, it's the villains that truly steal the show. The trailer not only showcases Nicholas Hoult's portrayal of Lex Luthor but also introduces characters like María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, Gunn's innovative creation, the Hammer of Boravia, and the enigmatic Ultraman. This raises a compelling question: who is the true antagonist in Gunn's Superman? Is Lex Luthor taking a backseat to other DCU villains? Let's delve into the array of villains featured in Superman and explore how they interconnect within the narrative.

Superman: Behind the Scenes Cast and Character Images

View 33 ImagesWho Is the Hammer of Boravia?

The latest trailer introduces a formidable new character known as the Hammer of Boravia. This hulking, armored figure isn't drawn from existing DC lore but is a fresh creation by Gunn for David Corenswet's Superman to confront. This choice is intriguing, especially given the extensive DC character library that remains largely untapped by the DCU.

The Hammer of Boravia was first teased in DC's promotional materials, with a faux-Daily Planet headline declaring, “‘Hammer of Boravia’ Creates Havoc Downtown.” The trailer brings this conflict to life, depicting the Hammer engaging in combat with Superman and unleashing a devastating laser attack. It's clear that the Hammer relies on advanced technology to challenge Superman, wearing a weaponized battlesuit reminiscent of the Zaku from the Gundam series.

Gunn's reference to the film's giant monsters as kaiju highlights the influence of Japanese media on the design of Superman's villains. Meanwhile, Superman himself draws inspiration from the classic Silver Age comics and the graphic novel All-Star Superman, making the film a unique blend of Eastern and Western elements.

The Hammer of Boravia represents the fictional nation of Boravia, which has recently invaded the neighboring country of Jarhanpur. Superman's intervention to stop this war has drawn the Hammer's wrath upon Metropolis, as seen in the trailer's scenes of the invasion and the political repercussions that follow. Even the US Secretary of Defense is involved, underscoring the global challenges Superman faces as he strives to be a force for good beyond Metropolis.

This narrative echoes themes from Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman, which also explored the consequences of Superman's actions on an international scale. Gunn's Superman seems poised to tackle similar issues without repeating the more controversial elements of Snyder's film.

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 powers, making it evident that she's not an ally of Superman.

The Engineer, Angela Spica, undergoes a role reversal from her comic book counterpart, who is a member of the superhero team The Authority. In the comics, The Authority is portrayed as a proactive and militant alternative to the Justice League, often disregarding collateral damage and national sovereignty. This aligns well with Gunn's focus on the conflict between Superman's traditional heroism and a new generation of more cynical heroes, a theme reflected in the angular S logo borrowed from the graphic novel Kingdom Come.

In the trailer, Angela is clearly aligned with Lex Luthor and eager to confront Superman. Scenes show her battling the Man of Steel in a baseball stadium and attacking his robot servants in the Fortress of Solitude, even targeting Krypto. Her belief that Superman is a threat to humanity drives her actions, though it remains to be seen if her perspective will shift by the film's end.

Gunn's plans for an Authority movie suggest that de Faría's Engineer is part of a larger storyline within the DCU.

Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?

The Engineer's search for Lex Luthor in the film also involves a mysterious, masked character speculated to be the DCU's version of Ultraman. This theory is supported by the large U emblem on his chest and his ability to match Superman's strength and durability.

In traditional DC lore, Ultraman hails from Earth-3, a universe where heroes and villains are inverted. He leads the Crime Syndicate of America, an anti-Justice League. However, Gunn's Superman is unlikely to delve into the multiverse, suggesting that Ultraman might be reimagined as a character similar to Nuclear Man from Superman IV or certain versions of Bizarro, possibly genetically engineered to mimic Superman's powers. The obscured face hints at a dramatic reveal, potentially with Corenswet behind the mask.

Physically, Ultraman appears to be the primary antagonist, challenging Superman with equal strength but lacking his morality. The trailers suggest that Kal-El will face a brutal battle against this formidable foe.

Superman vs. Kaiju

The new trailer emphasizes the epic scale of this superhero film, with scenes of buildings collapsing like dominoes. Superman's commitment to saving lives is tested as he confronts not only humanoid villains but also giant monsters reminiscent of those in Legendary's Monsterverse or the Pacific Rim series.

One scene recalls the original costume reveal photo from 2024, showing Superman suiting up while a massive monster terrorizes Metropolis. The trailer confirms that this scene will appear in the film, with Lois Lane also present, hinting at their complex relationship.

The presence of kaiju raises questions about their origin and purpose. Are they summoned by someone, perhaps Lex Luthor, to discredit Superman? The trailer suggests that Luthor might be orchestrating a crisis to tarnish the Man of Steel's reputation.

Lex Luthor: Supporting Villain?

While Superman faces numerous adversaries, the trailer indicates that Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor will not engage in direct combat. Instead, he manipulates events from the shadows, using allies like the Engineer and Ultraman to do his bidding.

Luthor's traditional motivations are evident in the trailer; he views himself as humanity's savior and resents the public's adoration of Superman. His disdain for the Man of Steel is palpable, referring to Kal-El as "it." Luthor's efforts to discredit Superman may involve collaboration with ARGUS and Rick Flagg, Sr., played by Frank Grillo. Scenes show Superman imprisoned and beaten, highlighting the political crisis he faces.

Despite being Superman's arch-nemesis, Luthor's role in the film appears more supportive than central. He orchestrates the chaos but leaves the physical confrontations to others, focusing on undermining Superman's reputation. The film's climax is likely to see Superman proving Luthor wrong, reaffirming the values of kindness, decency, and hope. Luthor's defeat may be intellectual rather than physical, setting the stage for his ongoing role in the DCU.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship

While the villains capture much of the spotlight, the trailer also offers a glimpse into the dynamic 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 skills.

This scene echoes the iconic interview from the 1978 Superman film but with a focus on the political implications of Superman's actions rather than romantic tension. The trailer suggests that Lois and Clark are close friends but not yet lovers, though their dramatic kiss later on indicates a deepening relationship over the course of the film.

Gunn has emphasized the complexity of their relationship, highlighting Lois's role as a strong, independent journalist who can intellectually challenge Superman. This portrayal aims to avoid the damsel-in-distress trope often associated with Lois in past adaptations, presenting her as an equal to Superman in her own right.