The recent unveiling of a striking Ultraman image by James Gunn has reignited speculation surrounding the mysterious villain in his much-anticipated Superman project. This fresh look comes as the film’s fanbase discusses the James Gunn Superman Ultraman reveal, particularly questioning who, or what, is under Ultraman’s mask, and how it will impact the storyline.
Fan Observations and Director’s Hints Stir Theories
Fans immediately took to comparing Ultraman’s appearance to Star Wars’ Tuscan Raiders, while others pointed out similarities to Doomsday’s containment suit from DC Comics lore. These observations underscore the ongoing uncertainty: the true identity of the person behind Ultraman’s mask remains unclear. Notably, some viewers have observed that Ultraman’s neck in the shared photo appears human, adding another layer to the ongoing theories.
When asked directly about Ultraman, James Gunn addressed whether this villain could be a product of Lex Luthor’s ambition to create another formidable “Superman-like” figure. Gunn commented,
“It’s close. Yeah, I think that’s close. Ultra Man is sort of Lex’s thug and is pretty powerful.”
—James Gunn, Director
Ties to LuthorCorp and Expanded Villain Connections
Further information from Gunn’s interview revealed connections between Hammer of Boravia—rumored by some to be Ultraman in disguise—and LuthorCorp. Gunn confirmed,
“Yes, totally. 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
These revelations suggest Lex Luthor will have far-reaching involvement in Metropolis’s troubles throughout the movie, deepening his history as a central antagonist. The potential links between Ultraman, Hammer of Boravia, and LuthorCorp have amplified the mystery for fans and raised the stakes for Superman.
Superman’s World: Diverging from the DCEU
Gunn emphasized the different setting for his Superman story, saying,
“set in a world very different from ours and far removed from the DCEU. Heroes have been around for ages, and we’ll see how it affected this world’s history and has shaped the DCU.”
—James Gunn, Director
This statement clarifies that the new film will establish its own continuity, with heroes having a long-standing presence. The reimagined universe paves the way for new takes on familiar characters such as Guy Gardner, Lois, Perry White, and Lex Luthor, along with introducing new threats.
Diverse Cast Brings DC Icons to Life
The film’s ensemble includes David Corenswet as Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois, and Skyler Gisondo playing Jimmy Olsen, Clark’s close friend. Wendell Pierce portrays Perry White of The Daily Planet, while Milly Alcock steps in as Supergirl, also known as Kara Zor-El. Other major roles feature Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders (Hawkgirl) and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner.
The supporting cast extends to Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord; Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt (Mister Terrific); Maria Gabriela de Faria as Angela Spica (The Engineer); Sara Sampan as Eve Teschmacher; Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason (Metamorphosis); Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.; Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince as Martha and Jonathan Kent respectively. This diverse lineup highlights DC’s broad character base and the interconnectedness of Metropolis’s key players.
Fans Await Answers as Anticipation Grows
With James Gunn carefully hinting at character links and maintaining secrecy around Ultraman’s true identity, anticipation for the film is steadily building. The web of connections between Lex Luthor, LuthorCorp, and the new villains promises a compelling intrigue for both new and longtime fans. As the Superman film’s release approaches, many are eager to see how these revelations will shape the DCU and what they mean for the future of Metropolis.
