Curious which DC villains are showing up in James Gunn’s Superman? The upcoming film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent, juggling his human life and Kryptonian legacy. With trailers hinting at major threats, fans are eager to see which comic-book enemies will challenge the Man of Steel. Here’s a breakdown of who’s confirmed so far.
Superman’s arch-nemesis Lex Luthor is portrayed by Nicholas Hoult. In the trailer, he appears furious about the Kryptonian’s existence and seeks to bring him down for an undisclosed reason. In the comics, Luthor debuted in Action Comics #23. He views Superman as a threat to humanity and fears people will become too reliant on an alien hero. With his intellect and resources, he constantly attempts to eliminate Superman.
The trailer features a fire-breathing monster wreaking havoc in the city. Although its origins are unclear, it may belong to DC’s roster of comic-book Kaijus. Speculation suggests aquatic traits, possibly linking it to Aquaman. However, recent merchandise shows the creature in handcuffs, suggesting Superman eventually subdues it.
María Gabriela de Faría plays The Engineer, aka Angela Spica, the second character to bear that title in DC Comics. She debuted in The Authority #1 (1999). Her abilities come from liquid metal nanites flowing through her body, allowing her to morph into weapons.
Based in Metropolis, LexCorp is a fictional multinational company led by Luthor. Through it, he commands an army of soldiers. In the film, they appear in purple and green armor.
This original DCU character, created for the film, has no comic-book origin. A behind-the-scenes video shows him in a high-tech armored suit.
Ultraman, an alternate-reality version of Superman, battles him in a baseball arena in the trailer. He first appeared in Justice League of America #29. The actor portraying him has not been revealed.
A DC sneak peek clip shows mysterious white aliens beside Lex Luthor and his guards. They may have been recruited by Lex to help defeat Superman.