Ultraman, The Hammer of Boravia, and The Engineer: Who Are the Villains of James Gunn's Superman?

If you're a fan of James Gunn’s Superman, you're in for a treat as the summer movie season heats up. Anticipation for this cinematic reboot is soaring, thanks to Warner Bros.’ release of a brand-new trailer offering deeper insights into the film's plot and the evolving dynamics between David Corenswet’s Superman and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane.

At the heart of the story lies the villains, each adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor takes center stage, but he’s not alone. Characters like María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer, Gunn’s original creation the Hammer of Boravia, and the enigmatic Ultraman promise to keep audiences guessing.

Who truly embodies the villain in Gunn’s vision? Is Lex stepping aside to let other DCU antagonists take the limelight? Let’s delve into the various villains and how they weave together within the storyline.

Behind the Scenes: Cast and Character Images

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Who Is the Hammer of Boravia?

Introduced in the latest trailer, the Hammer of Boravia is a towering, armored figure designed by Gunn as an entirely new villain for Corenswet’s Superman. Unlike many other DC characters, this villain isn’t drawn from the comics but instead crafted specifically for the film. This decision is intriguing, considering the vast library of DC characters yet to be explored in the DCU.

Teased in promotional materials, the Hammer of Boravia made headlines in a faux Daily Planet article with the title “‘Hammer of Boravia’ Creates Havoc Downtown.” This aligns with the trailer, showing the Hammer trading blows with Superman and unleashing destructive laser attacks.

The Hammer relies heavily on advanced technology to match Superman’s power. This armored soldier resembles nothing less than the Zaku from the Gundam series. Interestingly, Gunn refers to the giant creatures in the film as kaiju, indicating a strong influence from Japanese media. Despite this, Superman draws inspiration from classic Silver Age comics and the graphic novel All-Star Superman. This blend of Eastern and Western influences makes the film uniquely compelling.

Based on Warner Bros.' previews, the Hammer of Boravia represents the fictional nation of Boravia, which invades its neighbor, Jarhanpur. Superman intervenes, halting the conflict and earning the Hammer’s ire. Scenes of this invasion play out in the trailer, highlighting the political ramifications of Superman’s actions. Even the US Secretary of Defense scrutinizes Superman’s methods, adding tension to the narrative.

This underscores Gunn’s vision of Superman not only protecting Metropolis but navigating global politics. It echoes elements of Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman, exploring the unintended consequences of Superman’s actions. Let’s hope this doesn’t lead to any unfortunate outcomes for Jimmy Olsen.

María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer

After a brief appearance in the initial teaser, The Engineer, played by María Gabriela de Faría, takes center stage in this trailer. Her nanotech-based abilities are on full display, and it’s evident she’s no ally of Superman’s.

In the comics, The Engineer is a member of The Authority, a more proactive and militant group compared to the Justice League. Their disregard for collateral damage and national sovereignty makes them a fitting addition to Gunn’s narrative. The new Superman movie explores the clash between Superman’s traditional heroism and a newer, more skeptical generation. This is reflected even in Superman’s costume, which borrows the angular S logo from the graphic novel Kingdom Come.

The Engineer, portrayed as working for Luthor, seems eager to confront Superman. We see her battling him in a baseball stadium and attacking his robotic servants in the Fortress of Solitude. Even Krypto isn’t spared. It’s implied that The Engineer views Superman as a threat to humanity, believing herself to be on the right side.

Will her perspective change by the end? Gunn initially planned an Authority movie following Superman, though that project seems shelved for now. Regardless, this sets the stage for a larger storyline involving de Faría’s character.

Is Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman?

The Engineer appears to be searching for Lex Luthor, but she also fights alongside a masked figure sparking much speculation. Could this be the DCU’s Ultraman?

This theory is supported by the large U emblem on his chest and his ability to trade blows with Superman. However, Gunn’s take on Ultraman seems to deviate from the source material. Traditionally, Ultraman is from Earth-3, where the roles of heroes and villains are reversed. Lex Luthor is the world’s greatest hero in that universe.

Given Gunn’s narrative focus, it’s unlikely the film will delve into the multiverse. Instead, Ultraman may resemble Nuclear Man from Superman IV: The Quest for Peace or certain versions of Bizarro. He could be genetically engineered to mimic Superman’s powers, with his disfigurement setting up a dramatic reveal.

Physically, Ultraman, not Lex, appears to be the ultimate antagonist. Superman will face a villain with equal strength but questionable ethics. Previous trailers suggest Kal-El will endure significant injuries in this battle.

Superman vs. Kaiju

The trailer highlights the immense scale of this superhero film. At one point, buildings topple like dominoes, hinting at potential casualties akin to Man of Steel.

Kal-El isn’t just fighting humanoid foes like the Hammer of Boravia and The Engineer. He also faces massive kaiju. These creatures resemble those from Legendary’s Monsterverse or Pacific Rim. Another scene recalls Gunn’s original costume reveal photo, showing Superman suiting up as a massive monster wreaks havoc in Metropolis. Lois Lane is present, adding depth to their unusual relationship.

Why are these beasts attacking Metropolis? Are they random occurrences, or is someone summoning them? Hoult’s Lex Luthor fits the profile of someone who’d orchestrate such chaos to undermine Superman.

Lex Luthor: Supporting Villain?

The trailer confirms Superman’s diverse array of enemies. However, Hoult’s Lex Luthor doesn’t appear to be among them. Lex prefers to manipulate events from behind the scenes, relying on proxies like The Engineer and Ultraman to handle the grunt work.

Hoult’s Lex is motivated by a desire to lead humanity into a new era, resentful of Superman’s popularity. He even calls Superman “it,” emphasizing his disdain. Lex aims to discredit Superman politically, collaborating with ARGUS and possibly forming an alliance with Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr. Superman even shares a prison cell with Metamorpho and suffers beatings from guards, underscoring his growing political crisis.

This suggests Lex plays a supporting role, using others to achieve his goals. While he remains Superman’s arch-nemesis thematically, Ultraman poses the primary physical threat. The film will likely conclude with Superman proving Lex wrong, reinforcing the value of kindness and hope in a cynical world. Expect an intellectual victory rather than a physical confrontation. Lex may escape imprisonment, continuing his role in the DCU.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s Relationship

While villains dominate the trailer, it’s worth examining the Lois and Clark dynamic. Brosnahan’s Lois already knows Clark’s secret, aligning with her character as an intelligent and skeptical journalist. This mirrors the 1978 film but shifts focus from romance to Lois questioning Superman’s actions.

Their relationship evolves throughout the film, moving from friendship to romance. Gunn described their complex bond during a visit to the set, emphasizing the challenges of balancing a strong-willed journalist with a man who can lift skyscrapers.

Despite the threats, Gunn ensures Lois remains independent, avoiding the damsel-in-distress trope. She rivals Superman intellectually, just as Lex does.

Who do you think will emerge as the ultimate villain? Which battle excites you most? Share your thoughts in the comments.