James Gunn reveals Superman movie character details with a focus on moral ambiguity and fresh character dynamics, promising a complex narrative for the Man of Steel’s return. As anticipation builds for the film’s July 2025 release, fans are learning how villains and unlikely allies—including Ultraman, Metamorpho, the Engineer, and Eve Teschmacher—reshape Superman’s world in unexpected ways.
Central to the upcoming film is Lex Luthor, whose plans involve a blend of familiar and newly reimagined characters. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn discussed how these new roles fit into the larger story, confirming the film’s approach is not just about hero versus villain, but rather a nuanced exploration of loyalty, power, and personal conflict.
Ultraman: Lex Luthor’s Powerhouse Enforcer
Questions have swirled about Ultraman’s identity, with fan theories ranging from a twisted Superman clone to a new take on classic villains. Gunn clarified that while Ultraman is not merely a duplicate, his purpose is tightly bound to Lex Luthor’s designs on Metropolis.
“I think that’s close. Ultraman is sort of Lex’s thug, and is pretty powerful.”
—James Gunn, Director
With Ultraman acting as Lex’s strong arm, the film positions him as a physically formidable but ultimately subservient figure, hinting at the ways Lex manipulates power to achieve his goals in Metropolis.
Moral Ambiguity Across the Cast
The movie purposefully plays with shades of gray rather than clear-cut good and evil. James Gunn emphasized the spectrum of morality present in the script, especially in how it handles classic characters and their motives.
“There are some characters that are really almost saintly, like Superman. There are some characters who are almost pretty terrible, like Lex Luthor. But I don’t think Lex is all bad, and I don’t think Superman is all good. All those people in between, the Guy Gardners and the Jimmy Olsens of the world, are even more complex in their moralities and what they think is okay.”
—James Gunn, Director
Supporting characters like Guy Gardner and Jimmy Olsen are set to experience ethical dilemmas that challenge expectations, giving them dimensions that go beyond their usual comic book roles.
Metamorpho: Torn Between Forces
Anthony Carrigan takes on the role of Metamorpho, or Rex Mason, whose unique ability to transform into any natural element—including Kryptonite—makes him a target for Lex Luthor. The movie presents Metamorpho’s internal conflict as he struggles between being used as an instrument of Lex’s schemes and his own moral compass.
“You’re in a situation where it’s having to hurt someone, having to be an agent of the bad guy. And at the same time, there’s this struggle to want to be good. What the film does brilliantly is it puts you in this situation of, ‘Oh! He has no choice.’ He has to be doing this, and you see how painful it is.”
—Anthony Carrigan, Actor
Hints in the story suggest that Lex Luthor manipulates Metamorpho by exploiting his vulnerabilities, possibly through a character identified as Baby Joey. Gunn hints at Lex’s far-reaching influence, ensuring that all negative events tie back to him.
“Lex is connected to everything. There’s nothing bad happening in Metropolis during this movie that doesn’t have some connection to Lex Luthor.”
—James Gunn, Director
The Engineer: Loyalty, Respect, and Complicated Bonds
María Gabriela de Faría plays Angela Spica, a.k.a. The Engineer, whose nanotechnology gives her a powerful edge and complex relationship with Lex. While their connection is not straightforwardly romantic, de Faría reflected on their on-screen dynamic and Angela’s belief in Lex’s mission.
“I imagined that Lex and Angie had this work relationship where they respect each other so much. Angela highly believes in Lex’s idea of making the world a better place. She’s practically given her life to Lex for this greater good. But at the same time, I feel like there’s an element of an underlying relationship going on between the two of them. It’s not in the movie… I feel like these guys f***!”
—María Gabriela de Faría, Actress
The Engineer exemplifies the conflicted loyalty and blurred motivations running throughout the cast. Her faith in Lex and the blurred personal lines raise questions about her role in the broader DC universe, especially with The Authority’s film now postponed.
Eve Teschmacher: Social Media Savvy in the City
Sara Sampaio introduces Eve Teschmacher, Lex’s girlfriend in the movie. Unlike the traditional portrayal of scheming villainesses, Teschmacher is shown as a modern-day influencer, more concerned with her online image than world domination.
“She’s just very for herself and her content. She’s sometimes out of notion with what’s happening or what’s appropriate, but she does have a heart. At the end of the day, everything is just so exciting for her. She’s just in a whole different world.”
—Sara Sampaio, Actress
Her role provides a contrast to Lex’s calculated motives, centering on self-obsession and a lighter, more naive take amid the film’s morally weightier plotlines.
What Awaits the Man of Steel and His World?
James Gunn’s Superman aims to reimagine the superhero’s universe with a more intense, conflicted approach, where characters grapple with their choices rather than fit easy archetypes. From Ultraman’s brute force to Metamorpho’s reluctant actions, the Engineer’s trust in Lex, and Eve Teschmacher’s self-absorption, each role weaves into a narrative less about clear victory and more about navigating complicated relationships.
With Gunn at the helm, the focus on side characters such as Jimmy Olsen, Guy Gardner, and even mysterious figures like Baby Joey, deepens the scope of the Superman mythos. Lex Luthor, played as a grand manipulator, ensures nothing in Metropolis remains untouched by his ambitions. As the film’s July 11, 2025 premiere approaches, audiences can expect not just a return to Superman action, but a multi-layered exploration of conflict, loyalty, and what it truly means to be a hero in a world shaped by so many competing forces.
