James Gunn’s Superman has quickly become a major success, reigniting enthusiasm for DC movies and giving fans new hope for the franchise. While upcoming projects like Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface build excitement, many viewers are already looking forward to a Superman sequel featuring compelling villains. Although James Gunn is currently working on a story where Superman plays a key role rather than a direct sequel, fans are eager to see which adversaries might face the Man of Steel next.
The first movie introduced memorable antagonists such as Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Farias), and Ultraman, sparking curiosity about who might threaten Superman in future installments. With so many villains in Superman’s rich rogues’ gallery, this list highlights ten foes who stand out as the best contenders based on their popularity, storytelling potential, and sheer entertainment value.
A group challenging Superman’s ideals: The Elite
Among Superman’s lesser-known enemies is The Elite, a team of antiheroes known for their lethal methods against criminals, contrasting sharply with Superman’s moral code. They first appeared in the story
“What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, And The American Way?”
where they sought to replace Superman as Metropolis’s protectors. Originating as DC’s answer to Wildstorm’s The Authority, The Elite share similar philosophies, designs, and narratives.
Although The Authority is already part of the DC Universe, limiting the chance of both groups appearing simultaneously, fans remain intrigued by the possibility of Manchester Black from The Elite confronting Superman in a sequel, offering a clash between starkly different ideologies.
The unpredictable Toyman: A quirky but eerie challenge
Toyman is an unconventional Superman adversary who relies on toy-like gadgets and mechanical devices to commit crimes rather than brute strength. Typically portrayed as Winslow Schott, this villain could add a unique, psychological dimension to the sequel’s threats. While Toyman is more often associated with Batman’s rogue gallery, his presence could inject a strange, unpredictable tone into the Superman universe.
Gunn’s proven willingness to embrace quirky and offbeat elements in his storytelling opens the door for Toyman to challenge Superman in a way that balances both menace and dark whimsy, providing a fresh dynamic.
Atomic Skull: A fiery foe with personal vendetta
Atomic Skull first appeared as Albert Michaels, but several iterations of the character have surfaced over time. What remains consistent is the villain’s signature glowing, flaming skull and his deep grudge against Superman, tied to a betrayal involving illegal scientists who were supposed to aid him. His powers center on energy and radiation, making him a formidable combatant capable of going toe-to-toe with Superman.
Though Atomic Skull may not command enough narrative weight for a primary antagonist, his personal history and combat abilities make him an excellent secondary villain who can enrich the story and provide thrilling confrontations in a sequel or related TV adaptation.
Bizarro: The tragic mirror image
Bizarro is one of Superman’s most intriguing duplicates, sometimes depicted as an imperfect clone and other times as an inhabitant of Bizarro World. Known for being the illogical and flawed opposite of the Man of Steel, Bizarro carries similar powers but lacks his intellect and control, often resembling a Frankenstein-like figure. While not always a villain, Bizarro has played the role of antihero in recent comics, evolving from a clueless menace into a tragic, misunderstood character.
The recent Superman film subtly foreshadowed Bizarro’s introduction following Ultraman’s disappearance through a black hole, laying the groundwork for his potential emergence as a unique and compelling challenge in a sequel.
Metallo: The embodiment of Superman’s greatest weakness
Metallo is a distinctive adversary with multiple versions; the most recognized is a cyborg powered by Kryptonite, Superman’s well-known vulnerability. This combination of advanced technology and weaponized Kryptonite makes Metallo a chilling and powerful figure who can physically threaten Superman in ways few others can.
Depending on James Gunn’s creative direction, Metallo could serve as either the main villain or a significant secondary threat. His presence would heighten tension by exploiting Superman’s rare weakness, delivering intense, high-stakes battles.
Parasite: Absorbing strength and memories
Parasite is among Superman’s strongest and most dangerous opponents, possessing the ability to drain anything he touches—including life force, powers, and memories. This capability allows him to match or surpass any foe, making him a formidable equalizer, including against members of the Justice League.
While Parasite shares certain traits with Amazo, another power-absorbing villain known for his tragic background, Parasite remains a merciless and irredeemable menace. Facing him means Superman could encounter an enemy who wields a terrifying combination of powers stolen from heroes like Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), intensifying the stakes.
Mister Mxyzptlk: Mischief and chaos from another dimension
Mister Mxyzptlk is an interdimensional imp introduced through a brief yet memorable scene where the Justice Gang battles an impish figure while Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) supports a troubled Superman. Known primarily for his reality-warping abilities and penchant for pranks, Mister Mxyzptlk is less a physical threat and more a source of chaotic interference.
Though not typically portrayed as a menacing villain, his unpredictable powers could be central to an entertaining and wild storyline. Gunn might explore a narrative focused on a week in Superman’s life, incorporating Mxyzptlk’s antics or crafting a dedicated story showcasing his reality-bending mischief.
Mongul and Warworld: Cosmic terror unleashed
Mongul, the former ruler of his alien species, remains one of Superman’s notable enemies. Known for his brute strength and domination of Warworld—a massive, weaponized mobile planetoid—Mongul presents a cosmic threat on a scale few villains can match.
The inseparability of Mongul and Warworld creates a high-concept setup ideal for a sequel. Their inclusion would not only deepen the DC Universe’s cosmic lore but also introduce large-scale action sequences. Mongul and the Warworld saga rank among the most thrilling Superman storylines, poised to offer one of the most visually and narratively dynamic continuations.
The Authority: A formidable antihero team with a ruthless approach
The Authority is a powerful group of antiheroes featured within the DC Universe, known for their willingness to achieve peace through any means necessary, including violence and murder. The group was mentioned earlier in connection with The Elite, which was developed as a DC counterpart to The Authority, but since The Authority already exists in the DCU, their involvement is a natural fit for a Superman sequel.
With The Engineer already having appeared in Superman and plans for a solo Authority movie underway, their presence as primary villains in a sequel could be a logical progression. Their brutal methods and ideological opposition to Superman’s values would create intense conflict, potentially reshaping the hero’s fight for justice.
Brainiac: The intellect and power long overdue on the big screen
Among Superman’s top villains, Brainiac stands out for his immense intelligence, strength, and storytelling depth. Despite Lex Luthor and General Zod being familiar foes, Brainiac has often been overshadowed, even though he frequently challenges the entire Justice League. It is past time for Brainiac to be featured as the main antagonist in a standalone Superman film.
Brainiac’s combination of superior intellect and power makes him a threat unlike any other, often testing Superman and Supergirl’s limits. A story centered on their mission to free the bottled city of Kandor from Brainiac’s control would provide a compelling and grand-scale narrative, capable of delivering one of the most memorable modern DC films.
With James Gunn’s vision steering the franchise, these ten villains represent some of the most exciting possibilities to face Superman in future installments, each promising unique challenges and intense conflicts for the Man of Steel.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic family and has shared that prayer remains significant for him, though he admits to being somewhat opposed to religion.
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. After the director was removed from the Guardians of the Galaxy series in 2018, Gunn said he believed his career was finished. Fortunately, in 2022, he and Peter Safran were chosen to lead DC Studios. This opportunity allowed him to work on a new superhero project. “Toby Emmerich from Warner Bros.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. For the 2025 Superman adaptation, the redesigned CGI version of Krypto the Superdog was inspired by Ozu. Gunn, who grew up in a Catholic household, still views prayer as significant in his life. However, he has also expressed that he is “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn still with Marvel?
A. James Gunn lost his position at Marvel due to old controversial tweets that came back into the spotlight.
