James Gunn, director of Superman, has provided an in-depth update regarding his approach to integrating The Engineer into the upcoming film. Gunn’s remarks shed light on how The Engineer, a character originally from Wildstorm comics, will be introduced to the DC Universe audience through her new association as Lex Luthor’s henchman—an important detail for fans interested in the James Gunn Superman Authority update.
Gunn revealed that choosing Angela Spicer, known as The Engineer, to serve Lex Luthor was a deliberate move to bring Wildstorm’s world and characters into the DCU. He considered the character‘s unique powers as not only appealing but also a fitting challenge for Superman. According to Gunn,
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I just really liked The Engineer’s powerset and I liked taking elements of The Authority’s story- she’s a member of The Authority in the comics- and giving those elements to Lex Luthor, to really combine the Wildstorm and DC characters in the DCU. And I thought her powerset was good to fight Superman.
”
—James Gunn, Director
Uncertainty Surrounds The Authority’s Future in the DCU
During an interview with BlavityTV, Gunn was questioned about the progress and future of The Authority movie, as well as the Engineer’s continued involvement. Gunn remained noncommittal and emphasized that the project has not been prioritized at present but is still possible in the future. Gunn stated,
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We could for sure, it could happen,
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—James Gunn, Director, and added,
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It’s not something that’s going especially quickly right now but it could happen, for sure.
”
—James Gunn, Director
The ambiguity indicates that fans of The Authority may have to wait for additional updates, as the focus remains on integrating its key members, like The Engineer, into current projects.
The Engineer’s Backstory and Character Depth Revealed
The backstory of The Engineer in Gunn’s Superman seems to be inspired by the Wild Storm relaunch, depicting Angela Spicer as a reluctant hero, heavily impacted by her origins. She acquires her powers in a crisis while trying to save a colleague, and her technological implants come with physical costs, making her journey as a hero complex and conflicted.
Producer De Faría, speaking on the official DC Studios podcast, emphasized that Gunn initially envisioned The Engineer as a stoic and detached figure, sharing,
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really serious, poker face, nothing ever happens to her.
”
—De Faría, Producer.
However, De Faría discovered greater layers of emotion in the character, influenced strongly by her background in telenovelas, and explained with candor,
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Oh shit, happens to her. She feels a lot. And she’s really emotional and I think that’s telenovela,
”
—De Faría, Producer.
Delving into motivations, De Faría elaborated on The Engineer’s deeper purpose, suggesting the character is shaped by childhood trauma and a powerful desire to make a difference. She explained The Engineer’s core identity,
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a good person at heart that’s extremely broken.
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—De Faría, Producer, and discussed her willingness to align with Lex Luthor, noting she is,
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willing to team up with Lex to get rid of what he believes are evil aliens.
”
—De Faría, Producer.
What To Expect When Superman Debuts
The highly anticipated Superman film is scheduled to premiere in U.S. theaters on July 11. With James Gunn integrating The Engineer in a novel way and teasing possibilities for The Authority, the movie may lay the groundwork for Wildstorm’s increased presence within the DCU. Audiences can expect a fresh interpretation of classic characters and the convergence of different comic universes, with future projects still under consideration as the franchise continues to evolve.
