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 suggested these reports were inaccurate.

In April 2024, several industry insiders reported that Superman would face Ultraman in his DCU debut, with one even calling Ultraman the "main villain." Gunn responded on social media, stating that Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor was the primary antagonist and urging fans to only trust information from him. While he didn't explicitly deny Ultraman's presence, the implication was widely understood as a refutation.

New images from the Cleveland.com, however, seem to contradict this. Photos and videos show Superman being apprehended by characters including Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. and María Gabriela de Faría's The Engineer, along with a masked figure sporting a prominent "U" symbol on their chest – strongly suggesting Ultraman. Gunn hasn't yet commented on this.

This has led to some criticism of Gunn for seemingly dismissing accurate reports. Defenders argue he only clarified Lex Luthor's role as the main villain, without directly denying Ultraman's involvement. However, some interpret Gunn's statement as an indirect denial. One insider clarified that his "main villain" designation referred to Ultraman being Superman's primary combat opponent, as Lex Luthor allegedly doesn't engage in direct physical conflict with the Man of Steel in this film.

While the "U" symbol is compelling evidence, official confirmation is still pending. The arrest scene could be explained by Superman being framed for crimes committed by his evil counterpart, a plot twist revealed later. This could explain both the masked villain and Gunn's previous statements.

Ultimately, only official sources can confirm Ultraman's role. However, if the leaks prove true, it could impact fans' trust in Gunn's future comments on DCU rumors.

Superman is slated for release on July 11, 2025.

##### Superman (2025)

James Gunn's Superman is the inaugural film in Warner Bros.' revamped DC Universe, showcasing a new Man of Steel following Henry Cavill's departure. The film aims to uphold the character's traditional values of "truth, justice, and the American way."

Source: Cleveland.com