The summer movie season is heating up, and all eyes are on James Gunn’s upcoming Superman reboot. Anticipation continues to soar as Warner Bros. releases a brand-new trailer offering glimpses into the film’s narrative and the evolving dynamics between David Corenswet’s Superman and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane.
However, the true excitement lies in the film’s roster of villains. The trailer introduces Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor alongside intriguing characters like María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer, Gunn’s inventive Hammer of Boravia, and the enigmatic Ultraman. This raises the question: who is the ultimate antagonist in Gunn’s vision of Superman? Could Lex be overshadowed by other formidable foes? Let’s delve deeper into the diverse array of villains and how they contribute to the story.
Superman: Behind the Scenes Cast and Character Images
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Who Is the Hammer of Boravia?
One of the standout additions in the latest trailer is the Hammer of Boravia, a towering armored figure. While this name may not ring any bells in DC lore, Gunn has created a completely new adversary for Corenswet’s Superman. Given DC’s expansive character library, this decision is notable, emphasizing Gunn’s creative freedom.
Teasers for the film hinted at the Hammer of Boravia, with a faux-Daily Planet article proclaiming “‘Hammer of Boravia’ Creates Havoc Downtown.” The trailer expands on this, showing the Hammer clashing with Superman and unleashing destructive laser attacks. Clearly, the Hammer relies on advanced technology to match Superman’s abilities. This armored warrior resembles nothing less than the iconic Zaku from the Gundam series. Interestingly, Gunn has described the film’s kaiju as inspired by Japanese media, blending Eastern and Western influences.
According to Warner Bros., the Hammer of Boravia represents the fictional nation of Boravia, which invades its neighbor Jarhanpur. Superman intervenes, prompting the Hammer to target Metropolis. The trailer depicts this invasion, highlighting the geopolitical ramifications of Superman’s actions. Even the US Secretary of Defense is pressuring Superman to reconsider his methods. This underscores the film’s exploration of Superman’s dual role as a protector of Metropolis and a global influencer. The movie seems to echo themes from Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman, which also addressed the consequences of Superman’s actions beyond U.S. borders.
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María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer ----------------------------------In contrast to her brief appearance in the first teaser, The Engineer plays a more significant role in this trailer. Her nanotechnology-based powers are on full display, and it’s evident she’s not aligned with Superman.
Unlike her comic book counterpart, who is part of a proactive superhero team, The Engineer in this film seems to be working against Superman. She appears eager to confront him in combat, seen battling him in a baseball stadium and destroying his robotic allies in the Fortress of Solitude. Even Krypto isn’t spared.
We assume The Engineer, like Luthor, believes she’s acting in humanity’s best interest and views Superman as a threat. Will her perspective shift by the end? Gunn initially planned an Authority spin-off, but that project seems shelved. Nonetheless, this film likely sets the stage for The Engineer’s broader arc.
Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?
The Engineer appears to be searching for Lex Luthor, but she’s also seen fighting alongside a masked character sparking much speculation. Is this Ultraman?
The prevailing theory points to Ultraman due to the prominent U emblem and his ability to match Superman’s strength. However, Gunn’s version seems to deviate significantly from traditional lore.
In the comics, Ultraman hails from Earth-3, where the roles of heroes and villains are reversed. Lex Luthor is Earth-3’s greatest hero. While this doesn’t directly connect to Hoult’s Lex, there’s an intriguing parallel—Hoult’s Lex sees himself as Earth’s savior. It’s unlikely the film will dive into the multiverse, so Ultraman may resemble Nuclear Man or Bizarro, possibly a genetically engineered clone of Superman.
Physically, Ultraman seems poised to be the film’s primary antagonist, embodying the antithesis of Superman’s values. The Man of Steel will face a formidable opponent who lacks his moral compass.
Superman vs. Kaiju
The trailer emphasizes the grand scale of the film, with scenes of destruction reminiscent of Man of Steel. Superman must navigate not only human adversaries but also colossal threats. A kaiju-like creature adds to the chaos, evoking the Pacific Rim universe.
A pivotal moment shows Superman suiting up amidst a massive beast terrorizing Metropolis, with Lois Lane present. This hints at a unique dynamic between the two.
Why are these creatures attacking Metropolis? Is this a recurring issue in the DCU, or is someone orchestrating these events? Hoult’s Lex Luthor fits the profile of a mastermind capable of such chaos.
Lex Luthor: Supporting Villain? -------------------------------Despite the impressive lineup of antagonists, Lex Luthor doesn’t appear to be a direct adversary. Instead, Hoult’s Lex seems to manipulate events from behind the scenes, leveraging allies like The Engineer and Ultraman.
Hoult’s Lex is driven by a desire to elevate humanity under his leadership, resenting Superman’s influence. He even refers to Superman as “it,” emphasizing his disdain. Lex works to undermine Superman’s reputation, potentially allying with ARGUS and Rick Flagg, Sr. Superman even ends up in a superhuman prison, highlighting the severity of his political fallout.
While Lex remains the overarching villain, his role is more indirect. Ultraman emerges as the physical antagonist, leaving Lex to orchestrate events from afar. The film will likely conclude with Superman proving Lex wrong, reinforcing the importance of hope and kindness in modern society. Lex’s defeat will be intellectual rather than physical.
Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship
Though the villains dominate the trailer, the evolving relationship between Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Corenswet’s Clark Kent deserves attention. The opening scene reveals Lois already knows Clark’s secret. Given her intelligence, this makes perfect sense.
This interaction echoes the 1978 film but shifts focus from romance to Lois questioning Superman’s political impact. Their dynamic feels platonic yet intimate, hinting at a potential romance later in the film.
Gunn discussed the Lois/Clark dynamic, emphasizing their complex relationship. He noted, “It’s a complicated relationship, and we really get into it, with long scenes exploring how a skeptical journalist relates to someone who can lift a skyscraper.”
Clearly, Gunn aims to avoid reducing Lois to a damsel in distress, positioning her as Superman’s equal in intellect and strength.
Who do you think will emerge victorious in James Gunn’s Superman? Share your thoughts below.
