The summer movie season is heating up, and anticipation for James Gunn's Superman is reaching new heights. Warner Bros. has released a captivating new trailer that offers deeper insights into the plot and the dynamic between David Corenswet's Superman and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane. However, the real spotlight is on the array of villains set to challenge the Man of Steel. From Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor to new characters like María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, the Hammer of Boravia, and the enigmatic Ultraman, the film promises a thrilling confrontation. Let's delve into these villains and see how they fit into Gunn's vision for Superman.
Superman: Behind the Scenes Cast and Character Images
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Who Is the Hammer of Boravia?
One of the intriguing new additions in the latest trailer is the Hammer of Boravia, a formidable, armored character. This villain, created by Gunn, isn't drawn from existing DC comics but is a fresh adversary for Corenswet's Superman. The choice to introduce a new character amidst DC's expansive library is a bold move, hinting at a unique narrative approach.
The Hammer of Boravia was first hinted at in promotional material, with a faux-Daily Planet headline reading “‘Hammer of Boravia’ Creates Havoc Downtown.” The trailer shows this conflict unfolding, with the Hammer engaging Superman and unleashing a devastating laser attack. The character's reliance on advanced technology, particularly a weaponized battlesuit reminiscent of the Zaku from the Gundam series, suggests a fusion of Eastern and Western influences. Gunn's reference to the film's giant monsters as kaiju further underscores this blend, while Superman's design draws from classic Silver Age comics and All-Star Superman.
From what Warner Bros. has revealed, the Hammer represents the fictional nation of Boravia, which has recently invaded Jarhanpur. Superman's intervention to stop this war draws the Hammer's ire upon Metropolis. The trailer showcases scenes of this invasion and hints at the political repercussions of Superman's actions, with even the US Secretary of Defense scrutinizing him. This storyline explores the global challenges Superman faces, echoing themes from Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman about the consequences of his actions on the world stage.
María Gabriela de Faría's Engineer, who had a minor role in the first teaser, now takes center stage in the new trailer. We get a closer look at her nanotech-based powers, which are clearly set against Superman. Unlike her comic counterpart, a member of the superhero team The Authority, this version of the Engineer aligns with Lex Luthor and seems ready to confront Superman.
The film uses the Engineer to highlight the clash between Superman's traditional heroism and the more cynical, proactive approach of a new generation of heroes. Her costume and actions, including a battle in a baseball stadium and an assault on the Fortress of Solitude, underscore her antagonistic role. Even Krypto faces her wrath, though he manages a counterattack.
The Engineer's alliance with Luthor suggests she believes Superman poses a threat to humanity. Whether her views will change remains to be seen, but her character seems poised to play a significant role in a larger narrative arc beyond this film.
Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?
The Engineer is seen searching for Lex Luthor but also fighting alongside a mysterious, masked figure speculated to be Ultraman. The character's large U emblem and ability to match Superman's strength fuel this theory. However, Gunn's take appears to diverge from traditional DC lore.
In the comics, Ultraman comes from Earth-3, where heroes and villains are reversed, and he leads the Crime Syndicate of America. Gunn's film likely won't explore the DC multiverse in depth, suggesting Ultraman might be reimagined as a genetically engineered counterpart to Superman, akin to Nuclear Man or Bizarro. The character's obscured face could hint at a dramatic reveal, possibly with Corenswet behind the mask.
Physically, Ultraman seems positioned as the ultimate adversary, forcing Superman to confront a foe with equal power but lacking his moral compass. The trailers suggest a brutal confrontation, with Superman facing significant challenges.
Superman vs. Kaiju
The trailer emphasizes the epic scale of Superman, with scenes of buildings collapsing like dominoes. Beyond human villains, Superman also battles giant monsters, or kaiju, reminiscent of those in Legendary's Monsterverse or the Pacific Rim films.
A scene from the original costume reveal photo in 2024 shows Superman preparing to fight a massive monster in Metropolis, a scenario that will unfold in the film. The presence of Lois Lane adds an intriguing layer to this confrontation.
The question remains: why are these kaiju attacking Metropolis? Is it a typical occurrence in the DCU, or is someone, perhaps Lex Luthor, orchestrating this chaos to undermine Superman?
Lex Luthor: Supporting Villain? -------------------------------The trailer showcases a variety of adversaries for Superman, but Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, seems to take a more indirect approach. Rather than confronting Superman head-on, Lex manipulates events from the shadows, using allies like the Engineer and Ultraman to do his bidding.
Lex's motivations remain traditional; he views himself as humanity's savior and resents Superman's influence over the public. His disdain for Superman is evident when he refers to him as "it." Lex's efforts to discredit Superman include possible alliances with ARGUS and Rick Flagg, Sr., leading to scenes of Superman in a superhuman prison and facing brutal treatment.
While Lex remains the overarching villain, his role is more thematic and intellectual rather than physical. He aims to tarnish Superman's reputation, setting the stage for a narrative where Superman must prove the value of hope and decency in a cynical world. Lex's defeat will likely be more philosophical than physical, ensuring his presence as a recurring figure in the DCU.
Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship
Amidst the focus on villains, the dynamic between Lois Lane and Clark Kent is a key element of the film. The trailer's opening scene reveals that Lois already knows Clark's secret identity, reflecting her intelligence and journalistic prowess.
This scene echoes the iconic interview in the 1978 Superman film but shifts the focus from romantic tension to the political implications of Superman's actions. Lois's relationship with Clark appears to be one of close friendship rather than established romance at the start, though a dramatic kiss later in the trailer suggests their bond will deepen.
Gunn has highlighted the complexity of their relationship, emphasizing Lois's strength and intelligence as a counterbalance to Superman's power. This portrayal aims to avoid the damsel-in-distress trope, presenting Lois as a formidable character who can intellectually challenge Superman just as Lex does.
Who do you think is the real endgame villain of Gunn's Superman? Which epic superhero battle are you most excited to see? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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