Beyond the expected presence of Lex Luthor, the movie introduces a potentially menacing trio: the armored Hammer of Boravia (a creation of Gunn's), the technologically advanced Engineer, and the mysterious Ultraman.
This raises a key question:
who will ultimately pose the greatest threat to Superman?
Could Lex Luthor find himself overshadowed by these other dangerous adversaries? Let's examine the potential roles of these villains.
The Hammer of Boravia:
This is a new character created by James Gunn for the film. He is a heavily armored figure representing the nation of Boravia.
Boravia has invaded its neighboring country, Jarhanpur, leading to Superman's intervention. The Hammer of Boravia, equipped with advanced technology including a weaponized battlesuit and energy projection capabilities, confronts Superman, bringing their conflict to Metropolis.
This character's design seems to incorporate influences from Japanese media, such as the Zaku from Gundam and the concept of kaiju (giant monsters). His actions also create international political ramifications, as the US Secretary of Defense becomes involved due to Superman's intervention in the Boravia-Jarhanpur conflict.
The Engineer (Angela Spica):
In this film, the Engineer is portrayed as an adversary of Superman, a significant departure from her comic book depiction as a member of the superhero team The Authority. The Authority in the comics is known for a more aggressive and less conventional approach to heroism. The film's Engineer possesses nanotech-based powers and is aligned with Lex Luthor. She engages Superman in direct combat, including confrontations in a baseball stadium and within Superman's Fortress of Solitude, where she attacks his robotic defenses and Krypto. It is suggested that, like Luthor, she believes Superman is a threat to humanity.
Ultraman:
A masked figure appears in the film with a "U" emblem, leading to speculation that this is Ultraman. Traditionally, in DC Comics, Ultraman is an evil counterpart of Superman from the alternate reality of Earth-3, where he leads the villainous Crime Syndicate.
However, the film's portrayal seems to be a reimagining, potentially drawing inspiration from characters like Nuclear Man (WTF) or Bizarro. This version of Ultraman possesses strength and durability comparable to Superman and fights alongside the Engineer. His obscured appearance suggests a possible disfigurement, hinting at a dramatic reveal.
He appears to be a significant physical threat to Superman.
Kaiju
The film features giant, monster-like creatures referred to as kaiju, which cause destruction in Metropolis. Superman is shown battling these massive beings. The reason for their presence is unclear, but the possibility of Lex Luthor orchestrating their attacks to discredit Superman is raised.
Lex Luthor:
In this film, Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road), appears to be operating more as a strategic manipulator than a direct physical combatant against Superman. His motivations align with the classic portrayal: he views himself as humanity's savior and sees Superman as a dangerous alien. Luthor is actively working to undermine Superman's public image and may be collaborating with figures like Rick Flagg Sr. and ARGUS.
Superman is even shown imprisoned, suggesting Luthor's schemes have significant consequences. The conflict between Superman and Luthor is presented as more intellectual and thematic, focusing on their opposing worldviews.
The Endgame Villain: A Multifaceted Threat
Ultimately, the "real" villain of Gunn's Superman isn't likely to be just one individual.The film appears to be crafting a multi-layered threat.
Ultraman presents the most immediate physical danger, a dark reflection of Superman's own power. The Engineer offers a clash of ideologies and technological prowess. The Hammer of Boravia introduces geopolitical stakes and raw destructive force. And orchestrating it all, lurking in the shadows, is Lex Luthor, the master manipulator aiming to undermine Superman's reputation and assert humanity's dominance.
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