As details emerge for James Gunn's Superman, the true nature of the film's antagonists is sharpening into a stunning piece of cinematic reinvention. The central twist appears to fuse two villains into one terrifying concept: the state-sponsored aggressor, The Hammer of Boravia, is the containment suit for Ultraman, an unstable and powerful clone of Superman himself.
This revelation recasts the entire conflict into a singular, insidious plot orchestrated by Lex Luthor to attack the Man of Steel on every possible front: physically, politically, and psychologically.
Here is the breakdown of this unified threat, incorporating the characters' rich comic book histories.
The Weapon: The Hammer of Boravia is Ultraman
In the film, The Hammer of Boravia is presented as a heavily armored figure acting on behalf of the nation of Boravia in its invasion of Jarhanpur. This is the brilliant deception. The armor is not just a battlesuit; it’s a sophisticated containment and control system for the clone inside. This reimagining makes Ultraman a weapon of the state, unleashed by Lex Luthor to trigger an international crisis that only Superman can intervene in, thus painting him as a threat to global sovereignty. The armor likely serves multiple purposes: hiding the clone's disfigured identity, regulating its unstable powers, and weaponizing its raw energy.
This is a radical departure from Ultraman’s established comic book lore.
Known Law: Traditionally, Ultraman is Superman's evil counterpart from the alternate reality of Earth-3. He is a Kryptonian named Kal-Il who leads the villainous Crime Syndicate. His powers function in reverse to Superman’s; he is weakened by yellow sunlight and empowered by Kryptonite.
Notable Appearances: Ultraman made his debut in Justice League of America #29 (1964). His most defining modern appearances are in Grant Morrison's graphic novel JLA: Earth 2, where he is a brutal crime boss, and Geoff Johns's crossover event Forever Evil, where the Crime Syndicate successfully invades the main DC Earth. Gunn's film discards the multiverse origin for a far more intimate and scientific one, making Ultraman a direct, twisted product of Superman’s existence on Earth.
The Mastermind: Lex Luthor
This complex scheme elevates Lex Luthor from a mere manipulator to a geopolitical puppet master. He hasn't just created a clone; he has successfully outsourced it to a foreign power, allowing him to test his creation and ruin Superman's reputation in a single stroke. By turning Superman's DNA into a state-sanctioned weapon, Luthor can argue to the world that the original Superman is an uncontrollable alien force, while his creation is a tool for human advancement.
Known Law: First appearing in Action Comics #23 (1940), Lex Luthor has evolved from a simple mad scientist to DC's most prominent evil genius. His core motivation is a pathologically protective view of humanity, believing that Superman's god-like presence makes mankind complacent and weak.
Notable Appearances: His modern character was defined in John Byrne’s The Man of Steel relaunch. Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo’s Lex Luthor: Man of Steel offers a deep dive into his perspective, while Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman showcases his tragic genius at its most epic scale. The film's plot appears to be the ultimate expression of his comic book ideology.
The Technologist: The Engineer (Angela Spica)
With The Hammer being a containment suit for a Kryptonian clone, The Engineer's role becomes absolutely critical. Angela Spica's expertise in nanotechnology makes her the only person capable of designing and maintaining such a complex system. She is the architect behind the armor that keeps Ultraman viable and under control. Her battles with Superman, especially within the Fortress of Solitude, are likely missions to acquire the Kryptonian data and technology needed to perfect the suit and its volatile occupant.
Known Law: The second Engineer, Angela Spica, debuted in The Authority #1 (1999). In the comics, she is a hero, albeit a member of a team known for its brutal, "by any means necessary" approach to justice. Her powers stem from nine pints of liquid machinery in her body, allowing her to communicate with, control, and construct any technology imaginable.
Notable Appearances: Her character was defined in Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's foundational run on The Authority. The film's decision to cast this powerful hero as Luthor's chief accomplice is a significant and intriguing departure from the source material.
The Smokescreen: The Kaiju
The giant monsters shown rampaging through Metropolis are the final piece of Luthor’s public relations war. These attacks are almost certainly false-flag operations orchestrated by Lex. They create widespread fear and destruction, forcing Superman into action. This allows Luthor to control the narrative, framing Superman as a magnet for disaster and highlighting the need for a more stable, state-controlled protector like The Hammer of Boravia.
By fusing its villains into a single, cohesive plot, Superman is crafting a deeply personal threat. Lex Luthor, enabled by The Engineer's genius, has weaponized Superman’s own DNA, wrapped it in armor, and unleashed it on the world stage to prove the original obsolete. It’s a multi-pronged assault that will test the Man of Steel’s strength, his character, and his place in a world that has been taught to fear him.
