James Gunn unveils Ultraman in Superman, sparking a wave of speculation among fans over the villain’s true identity ahead of the film’s release in just over two weeks. The director shared a new close-up image on X, offering the most detailed look yet at the masked character, intensifying questions about who might be hiding beneath the costume and how this figure will impact the much-anticipated superhero movie.
First Unveiling: Ultraman’s Striking Appearance Stirs Debate
Promotional material for Superman has shifted into high gear as the release date approaches, with Gunn’s new Ultraman reveal turning heads online. Unlike the typically flawless suits worn by Kryptonian heroes, Ultraman’s attire appears visibly deteriorated, marked by broken goggles and pieces of fabric hanging from the mask. The disheveled look sets a jarring tone, distinguishing Ultraman from the film’s central protagonists and hinting at a sinister or troubled backstory.
Ever since Ultraman’s presence was teased in the very first official trailer, fans have been eager to learn more about the mysterious character. This fresh image, however, provides the clearest view yet, showcasing the villain in stark detail and fueling even more curiosity and debate within the fan community.
Hints and Clues: What’s Known About Ultraman So Far
James Gunn has confirmed that Lex Luthor remains the primary antagonist in Superman, with Ultraman set to form a partnership with both Luthor and The Engineer. Aside from this allegiance, very little information about Ultraman’s identity has been disclosed, driving intense speculation among audiences as new footage emerges. One memorable trailer moment shows Ultraman overpowering Superman during a dramatic confrontation at the Metropolis Meteors baseball stadium, giving context to the level of threat the villain poses and narrowing possible identities to those who could realistically match Superman’s abilities.
Recent promotional scenes suggest that audiences might catch a glimpse of Ultraman unmasked, confronting the Last Son of Krypton with his own heat vision. The unmasked figure’s noticeably long, untamed hair only deepens fans’ suspicions and ignites further discussion across social media about whether Ultraman might be someone familiar—possibly even Superman himself or a close copy.
Comic Book Origins: Tracing Ultraman’s Place in DC Lore
In the original DC Comics, Ultraman hails from Earth-3, a parallel world where the morality of heroes and villains is reversed. As the infamous leader of the Justice Syndicate, he was introduced to readers in Justice League of America #29 by creators Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky. Unlike Superman, green Kryptonite does not harm Ultraman but instead bolsters his powers, making him a more menacing figure in confrontations with the Justice League.
Ultraman’s comic storylines, including reimaginings during events such as Crisis on Infinite Earths and Flashpoint, offer various twists on the character’s history and motivations. The New 52 era redefined Ultraman as Kal-Il, a ruthless version of Superman who conquered the world with his evil counterparts during the Forever Evil crossover event. However, considering the sprawling nature of these storylines, directly adapting Ultraman’s complex multiverse origins for the big screen would be a significant challenge, especially for a cinematic universe just taking shape. Instead, Gunn may focus on the core elements: Ultraman’s identity as an “evil Superman,” his struggle with Kryptonite, and his status as a formidable new adversary.
Is Ultraman Secretly Doomsday?
One of the more controversial fan theories contends that Ultraman might ultimately be revealed as a version of Doomsday, the infamous creature responsible for Superman’s death in the comics. Supporters of this idea point out similarities in wardrobe, emphasizing the cracked goggles and decaying suit ultraman wears—traits reminiscent of the containment suit used by Doomsday before his true form was unleashed. The gradual breakdown of the suit, fans argue, could signal the villain’s transformation into a more monstrous entity.
Despite the popularity of this theory in online circles, it’s largely considered improbable by many observers. DC previously drew criticism for tackling The Death of Superman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice so early, and reintroducing Doomsday at this nascent stage of the franchise could be seen as repeating past missteps. With a rich lineup of rogues still unexplored in film, returning to Doomsday now would likely puzzle fans and deprive future movies of story potential.
Speculation Runs Wild: Possible Identities for Ultraman
Among the many theories, a dominant belief is that Ultraman will be reimagined as Bizarro, the inverse Superman character who has long been a fan favorite in the comics. Ultraman’s powers, similar to Superman’s, support this line of thought, as does his implied Kryptonian origin. His connection to Lex Luthor in the film further fuels this guess, suggesting that Luthor might be manipulating, cloning, or otherwise creating his own twisted Superman to serve his interests. Observers note the locked-away, manipulated state suggested by Ultraman’s dirty costume and hidden face, adding weight to the theory that he might be an imprisoned or mind-controlled creation rather than a wholly original character.
Fans find additional support for this theory in the production choices. The consistent effort to keep Ultraman’s face obscured in all pre-release footage may be meant to conceal David Corenswet, who plays Clark Kent, thereby preserving a surprise reveal. If true, this would mark the first cinematic version of Bizarro, as the character has only appeared in television adaptations such as CW’s Superman & Lois—aside from a brief comedic interpretation in Christopher Reeve’s Superman III. Should Gunn bring Bizarro to the big screen, it would delight long-time DC followers and expand Superman’s villain roster in film beyond the familiar faces.
Parasite, another classic adversary, has also emerged as a plausible inspiration for Ultraman. Parasite’s ability to absorb the abilities of those he touches could explain why Ultraman exhibits heat vision, enhanced strength, and speed comparable to Superman’s. Although existing mostly in the domain of animated and TV adaptations, Parasite has yet to feature prominently in a theatrical release, making this theory appealing to viewers eager to see new villains explored in live-action.
On the other end of the spectrum, some audience members entertain the possibility that Ultraman is a completely new individual granted powers, perhaps through technological intervention or exposure to Kryptonian DNA or energy, and then controlled by Lex Luthor. With other Kryptonian characters like Supergirl and Krypto existing in this universe, it’s feasible that more survivors are out there, possibly manipulated into villainy. A small but vocal group even speculates that Ultraman could hide Henry Cavill beneath the mask, recasting the former Superman actor as a dark doppelgänger for the new DC era—though even devotees of Cavill acknowledge this scenario is far-fetched.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Gunn’s Vision on Superman’s Cinematic Future
The mystery surrounding Ultraman’s identity has ignited fervent discussion among the Superman fanbase, reflecting both excitement and nerves about the film’s creative choices. James Gunn’s willingness to delve into complex, lesser-known corners of DC lore, while also keeping traditional elements in play, signals a bold approach to the franchise reboot. By introducing Ultraman as a central antagonist whose true nature remains cloaked, the film sets the stage for surprises that could redefine Superman’s gallery of villains in pop culture imagination.
With Lex Luthor, The Engineer, and possibly new interpretations of classic foes like Bizarro or Parasite all coming to the fore, Superman promises to challenge audience perceptions of good and evil, loyalty and betrayal, on a scale not seen before in cinematic adaptations of the character. Fans and newcomers alike will be watching closely as the film releases on July 11, eager to see if their predictions about Ultraman’s identity are confirmed and what the introduction of this enigmatic villain means for the future of the DC universe on film.
