Superman Villain Ultraman Possibly Revealed By New Set Photos

Recent set photos from the upcoming Superman movie appear to confirm earlier reports of a major DC villain's appearance. This contradicts director James Gunn's previous suggestion that these reports were inaccurate.

In April 2024, industry insiders CanWeGetSomeToast and DanielRPK reported Ultraman as the main antagonist in the new Superman film. Gunn subsequently countered on Threads, stating that Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor was the primary villain, urging fans to only trust information directly from him. While Gunn didn't explicitly deny Ultraman's presence, his statement led many to believe Ultraman's role was debunked.

New images from Cleveland.com, however, seem to confirm Ultraman's involvement. Photographs and videos show Superman in custody, apprehended by characters appearing to be Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr., María Gabriela de Faría's The Engineer, and a masked figure with a prominent "U" symbol on their chest – strongly suggesting Ultraman. Gunn hasn't yet commented on this.

This has sparked debate among fans. Some criticize Gunn for casting doubt on accurate reports, while others defend him, pointing out he never explicitly denied Ultraman's presence, only clarifying Lex Luthor's role as the main villain. DanielRPK, however, notes Gunn's wording implied Ultraman's exclusion, clarifying his earlier "main villain" statement referred to Ultraman as Superman's primary combat antagonist, as he reportedly doesn't face Lex Luthor in the film.

The "U" symbol provides compelling evidence, though official confirmation is still pending. The possibility that Superman's arrest stems from crimes committed by his evil doppelganger, revealed later in the film, is a plausible explanation for the masked villain and Gunn's earlier statement. This could be a deliberate plot twist.

Ultimately, until official confirmation, Ultraman's role remains speculative. However, if Ultraman is indeed in the film, it could impact fan trust in Gunn's future comments on DCU rumors.

Superman is slated for release on July 11, 2025.

##### Superman (2025)

Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the inaugural film in Warner Bros.' rebooted DC Universe, centered on the iconic superhero. Featuring a new Man of Steel following Henry Cavill's departure, the film aims to capture the character's essence as "the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way."

Source: Cleveland.com