The summer blockbuster season is in full swing, and James Gunn’s Superman is stealing the spotlight. Warner Bros. has dropped a thrilling new trailer, offering fresh glimpses into the film’s storyline and the dynamic between David Corenswet’s Superman and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane.

The real buzz, however, centers on the villains. The trailer introduces Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, alongside María Gabriela de Faría’s The Engineer, Gunn’s original creation The Hammer of Boravia, and the enigmatic Ultraman.

So, who’s the true antagonist in Gunn’s Superman? Is Lex Luthor overshadowed by other DCU villains? Let’s dive into the rogues’ gallery and how they connect in this epic tale.

Superman: Exclusive Cast and Character Behind-the-Scenes Images

Who Is The Hammer of Boravia?

The trailer unveils a towering, armored figure known as The Hammer of Boravia. This isn’t a character pulled from DC comics; Gunn crafted this villain specifically for David Corenswet’s Superman to confront. It’s a bold move, considering DC’s vast roster of untapped characters.

DC’s promotional materials hinted at this character with a faux Daily Planet headline: “‘Hammer of Boravia’ Wreaks Havoc in Metropolis.” The trailer brings this chaos to life, showing The Hammer clashing with Superman and unleashing a powerful laser assault.

The Hammer of Boravia appears to rely on advanced technology, likely a weaponized battlesuit, to challenge Superman. Its design evokes the Zaku from Gundam, and Gunn’s reference to kaiju suggests heavy Japanese pop culture influences. Yet, Superman’s aesthetic leans toward the Silver Age comics and All-Star Superman, blending Eastern and Western styles into a unique cinematic vision.

Warner Bros. reveals that The Hammer represents Boravia, a fictional nation that recently invaded Jarhanpur. Superman’s intervention to halt the war draws The Hammer’s fury to Metropolis. The trailer depicts this conflict, alongside the political fallout of Superman’s actions, with even the U.S. Secretary of Defense scrutinizing him.

Gunn’s Superman tackles Kal-El’s struggle to be a global force for good while sparking international tensions. This echoes themes from Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman, where Superman’s actions had unintended consequences. Hopefully, this film avoids any grim fates for characters like Jimmy Olsen.

María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer

After a brief appearance in the first teaser, María Gabriela de Faría’s The Engineer takes center stage in this trailer. Her nanotech-powered abilities are on full display, and she’s clearly no ally to Superman.

In the comics, The Engineer, Angela Spica, is part of The Authority, a superhero team that’s more aggressive than the Justice League. While not outright villains, they prioritize results over collateral damage or geopolitics. Gunn’s choice to include her highlights the clash between Superman’s classic heroism and a newer, more pragmatic generation of heroes, reflected even in his Kingdom Come-inspired S logo.

In the DCU, however, The Engineer’s role as a hero is questionable. The trailer shows her working for Lex Luthor, eagerly battling Superman in a baseball stadium and attacking his robotic allies in the Fortress of Solitude. Even Krypto isn’t spared, though he lands a solid counterattack.

It seems The Engineer, like Luthor, views Superman as a danger to humanity. Whether her perspective shifts by the film’s end remains unclear. While an Authority spinoff was once planned, it’s currently shelved, suggesting The Engineer’s arc may extend beyond this film.

Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?

The trailer shows The Engineer alongside a mysterious, masked figure sporting a large “U” on his chest, fueling speculation about Ultraman’s presence.

This character’s strength and durability match Superman’s, making Ultraman a likely candidate. However, the film seems to reinterpret the comic version, where Ultraman is an evil Superman from Earth-3, leading the Crime Syndicate of America. On Earth-3, Lex Luthor is a hero, a trait that may influence Hoult’s portrayal, as he sees himself as humanity’s savior.

Gunn’s Superman likely avoids multiverse complexities, suggesting Ultraman could be a genetically engineered foe, akin to Nuclear Man from Superman IV or certain Bizarro iterations. His masked appearance hints at a disfigured form, setting up a dramatic reveal, possibly with Corenswet’s likeness.

Ultraman appears to be the film’s primary physical threat, challenging Superman with equal power but no moral compass. The trailer suggests Kal-El will face a brutal fight.

Superman Battles Kaiju

The trailer emphasizes the film’s massive scale, with collapsing skyscrapers hinting at a high-stakes conflict. Metropolis faces destruction on par with Man of Steel’s climax if Superman can’t contain the chaos.

Beyond human foes like The Hammer and The Engineer, Superman confronts giant kaiju, reminiscent of Legendary’s Monsterverse or Pacific Rim.

One scene revisits Gunn’s 2024 costume reveal, showing Superman gearing up as a massive creature ravages Metropolis. Lois Lane’s presence in this moment adds intrigue to their dynamic, explored later.

The mystery is why Metropolis is overrun with kaiju. Are they a natural phenomenon in the DCU, or is someone—perhaps Lex Luthor—orchestrating these attacks to undermine Superman?

Lex Luthor: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes?

The trailer reveals a roster of foes for Superman, but Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor seems to avoid direct combat. Why fight when he can manipulate others to do so?

Hoult’s Lex is driven by a classic motive: he sees himself as humanity’s true protector, resentful of Superman’s popularity. He views Kal-El as an alien threat, even dehumanizing him as “it.”

Lex’s schemes aim to ruin Superman’s reputation, possibly with ARGUS’s support, hinted at by a potential alliance with Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr. The trailer shows Superman imprisoned alongside Metamorpho, enduring beatings from guards, suggesting his political entanglements lead to dire consequences.

Lex appears to play a supporting role, orchestrating events through allies like The Engineer and Ultraman while subtly dismantling Superman’s image. He remains the thematic antagonist, with Ultraman as the physical threat. The film likely ends with Kal-El proving Lex wrong, reaffirming hope and compassion, though not through a fistfight. Lex may persist as a recurring DCU figure, his defeat more ideological than physical.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Bond

While villains dominate the trailer, the relationship between Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and David Corenswet’s Clark Kent deserves attention. The opening scene reveals Lois knows Clark’s secret identity, fitting her reputation as a sharp reporter who sees through his disguise.

This moment echoes the 1978 Superman, where Lois interviews Superman, but Gunn focuses on her journalistic instincts over romance, questioning Clark about the repercussions of his actions.

The state of Lois and Clark’s relationship is ambiguous. Unlike the comics, where Clark reveals his identity after they fall in love, here Lois already knows. Their initial scene suggests friendship, not romance, though a later kiss hints at deeper feelings developing.

Gunn discussed the Lois/Clark dynamic during IGN’s 2024 set visit, noting, “It’s a complex relationship. We explore it deeply, with long scenes about how an intelligent, stubborn journalist connects with someone who can lift skyscrapers.”

Gunn ensures Lois avoids the damsel-in-distress trope, portraying her as Superman’s intellectual equal, rivaling even Lex Luthor’s cunning.

Who’s the true final villain in Gunn’s Superman? Which battle are you most eager to see? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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