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

As the summer movie season heats up, anticipation for James Gunn's *Superman* is reaching new heights. Warner Bros. has released an exciting new trailer, offering a deeper look into the plot and the dynamic between David Corenswet's Superman and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane. However, the real buzz centers around the villains. The trailer not only highlights Nicholas Hoult's portrayal of Lex Luthor but also introduces characters like María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, Gunn's original creation, the Hammer of Boravia, and the enigmatic Ultraman. This raises an intriguing 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 and their roles in the narrative.

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 character. This isn't a familiar name from DC's comic universe; instead, Gunn has crafted an entirely new villain for David Corenswet's Superman to confront. The choice to create a new character is intriguing, considering the vast array of unexplored DC characters available.

DC's promotional materials hinted at the Hammer of Boravia through a faux-Daily Planet headline, "'Hammer of Boravia' Creates Havoc Downtown." The trailer shows this conflict unfolding, with the Hammer engaging Superman and unleashing a powerful laser attack. It's clear that the Hammer relies on advanced technology, resembling a soldier in a weaponized battlesuit reminiscent of the Zaku from the Gundam series. Gunn's references to giant monsters as "kaiju" indicate a blend of Eastern and Western influences in the film's design, even as Superman himself draws from classic Silver Age comics and All-Star Superman.

From what Warner Bros. has disclosed, the Hammer of Boravia represents the fictional nation of Boravia, which has recently invaded Jarhanpur. Superman's intervention in this conflict brings the Hammer's wrath to Metropolis, leading to significant political repercussions, including scrutiny from the US Secretary of Defense. This narrative explores the challenges Superman faces in balancing his role as a global force for good, echoing themes from Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman.

After a brief appearance in the initial 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, and it's evident that she's not aligned with Superman.

In the comics, the Engineer, Angela Spica, is part of the superhero team The Authority, known for their proactive and militant approach compared to the Justice League. Gunn's film appears to invert this, portraying Angela as a villain working for Lex Luthor. The trailer shows her clashing with Superman in a baseball stadium and attacking his robotic allies in the Fortress of Solitude, even targeting Krypto.

The Engineer, like Luthor, likely sees herself as defending humanity from Superman's perceived threat. Whether she undergoes a change of heart remains to be seen. Gunn had previously planned an Authority movie, suggesting that the Engineer's story may continue beyond this film.

Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?

The trailer also introduces a mysterious, masked character alongside the Engineer, sparking speculation about whether this is the DCU's version of Ultraman. The character's "U" emblem and ability to match Superman's strength support this theory, but the film seems to be taking a creative liberty with the source material.

Traditionally, Ultraman comes from Earth-3, leading the Crime Syndicate of America, an evil counterpart to the Justice League. Gunn's version might be more akin to Nuclear Man from Superman IV or certain iterations of Bizarro, possibly a genetically engineered being mimicking Superman's powers. The obscured face hints at a dramatic reveal, potentially with Corenswet behind the mask.

Physically, it appears that Ultraman, not Lex Luthor, is the primary antagonist. Superman will face a foe with his strength but without his morality, likely leading to intense confrontations.

Superman vs. Kaiju

The trailer showcases the epic scale of the film, with scenes of buildings collapsing. Alongside human villains, Superman also battles giant monsters, or kaiju, reminiscent of those in Legendary's Monsterverse or Pacific Rim.

A scene from the original costume reveal photo shows Superman preparing to fight a massive monster in Metropolis, with Lois Lane present. The presence of these kaiju raises questions about their origins and whether they're being summoned by someone, perhaps Lex Luthor, to undermine Superman.

The trailer confirms Superman's array of adversaries, but it seems that Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor won't be directly confronting him. Instead, Lex orchestrates events from the shadows, using other characters to do his bidding.

Lex's traditional motivations are clear; he sees himself as humanity's savior and resents Superman's popularity. He's determined to discredit Superman, possibly collaborating with ARGUS and Rick Flagg, Sr. The trailer shows Superman in a superhuman prison cell, highlighting the political crisis he faces.

Lex appears to play a supporting role, focusing on tarnishing Superman's reputation while others like the Engineer and Ultraman engage in direct combat. Ultimately, Lex will likely remain the thematic and emotional villain, with Ultraman serving as the physical threat. The film's climax will likely see Superman proving Lex wrong, emphasizing the value of kindness and hope in a cynical world.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship

While the villains steal much of the spotlight, the dynamic between Lois Lane and Clark Kent is also significant. The trailer's opening scene reveals that Lois already knows Clark's secret, reflecting her intelligence and investigative skills.

This scene echoes the iconic interview from the 1978 Superman film but focuses more on political discourse than romantic tension. The relationship between Lois and Clark appears to be one of close friendship initially, evolving into romance as evidenced by a dramatic kiss later in the trailer.

Gunn has emphasized the complexity of their relationship, highlighting Lois's strength and intellect. This portrayal aims to avoid the damsel-in-distress trope, presenting Lois as a formidable character who can challenge Superman intellectually.

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.