Superman Villain Ultraman Possibly Revealed By New Set Photos

Recent set photos from the upcoming Superman movie appear to confirm the presence of a major DC villain, despite director James Gunn's previous suggestions to the contrary.

In April 2024, industry insiders reported that Ultraman would be the main antagonist in the Superman reboot. Gunn, however, subsequently clarified on Threads that Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, was the primary villain, advising fans to only trust information from official sources. While he didn't explicitly deny Ultraman's involvement, his statement was widely interpreted as a refutation of the earlier reports.

New images from Cleveland.com, however, depict David Corenswet's Superman in custody, surrounded by characters including Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. and María Gabriela de Faría's The Engineer, and a masked individual with a prominent "U" symbol on their chest – strongly suggesting Ultraman. Gunn has yet to comment on this.

This has sparked debate among fans. Some criticize Gunn for seemingly misleading the public, while others defend him, pointing out his statement only specified Lex Luthor as the main villain. One insider clarified that "main villain" referred to the primary antagonist Superman confronts, implying a lack of a direct confrontation with Lex Luthor.

The "U" symbol offers compelling evidence, but official confirmation is still pending. One theory suggests Superman's arrest stems from crimes committed by his evil doppelganger, Ultraman, a plot twist potentially explaining Gunn's previous comments.

Until official confirmation, this remains speculation. However, if Ultraman's presence is confirmed, it could impact fan trust in Gunn's future comments on DCU-related rumors.

Superman is slated for release on July 11, 2025.

##### Superman (2025)

Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman marks the inaugural film in Warner Bros.' revamped DC Universe, focusing on the iconic superhero. This iteration features a new Man of Steel, following Henry Cavill's departure, and aims to embody the character's classic ideals of truth, justice, and the American way.

Source: Cleveland.com