Superman Villain Ultraman Possibly Revealed By New Set Photos

Recent Superman movie set photos appear to confirm earlier reports of a major DC villain's appearance. Interestingly, director James Gunn previously downplayed these reports.

In April 2024, industry insiders CanWeGetSomeToast and DanielRPK reported Ultraman as the main antagonist in the new Superman film. Gunn, however, subsequently stated on Threads that Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, was the primary villain, advising fans to only trust information from official sources. While Gunn didn't explicitly deny Ultraman's presence, his statement led many to believe Ultraman was excluded.

New images from Cleveland.com, however, seem to contradict this. Photos and a video show David Corenswet's Superman in custody, apprehended by characters appearing to be Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr., María Gabriela de Faría's The Engineer, and a masked figure with a prominent "U" symbol on their chest – strongly suggesting Ultraman. Gunn has yet to comment.

This has sparked debate. Some criticize Gunn for casting doubt on accurate reports, while others defend him, pointing out he never explicitly denied Ultraman's involvement, only clarifying Luthor's primary antagonist status. DanielRPK clarified his "main villain" statement referred to Ultraman as Superman's primary opponent in combat, as he reportedly doesn't face Lex Luthor directly.

The "U" symbol provides compelling evidence, although official confirmation is still pending. The possibility of Superman's arrest stemming from crimes committed by his evil doppelganger, revealed later in the film, is plausible. This could explain the masked villain and Gunn's earlier comments, potentially intended as a plot twist.

Until official confirmation, this remains speculation. However, if Ultraman's presence is confirmed, it might affect fans' trust in Gunn's future DCU pronouncements.

Superman is slated for release on July 11, 2025.

##### Superman (2025)

Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the inaugural film in Warner Bros.' revamped DC Universe, focusing on the iconic superhero. It introduces a new Man of Steel, following Henry Cavill's departure, staying true to the character's core values of truth, justice, and the American way.

Source: Cleveland.com