Ultraman Unmasked? New Set Photos Hint at Villain's Identity

Recent Superman movie set photos 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 Superman's primary antagonist in the upcoming DCU film. Gunn subsequently countered on Threads, stating that Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor was the main villain, advising fans to only trust his announcements. While Gunn didn't explicitly deny Ultraman's presence, his statement implied Ultraman's role was unfounded.

New images from Cleveland.com, however, seemingly depict a costumed figure with a prominent "U" symbol on their chest, strongly suggesting Ultraman's inclusion. The photos, by David Petkiewicz, and a video by Josh Duke, show Superman in custody, apprehended by characters seemingly portraying Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr., María Gabriela de Faría's The Engineer, and this mysterious masked individual. Gunn hasn't yet commented on this.

This situation has sparked debate among fans. Some criticize Gunn for casting doubt on accurate reports, while others defend him, pointing out that he never explicitly denied Ultraman's presence, only clarifying Lex Luthor's role as the primary antagonist. DanielRPK clarified his earlier report, explaining "main villain" referred to the main adversary Superman directly confronts, allegedly not Lex Luthor in this film.

The "U" symbol provides strong circumstantial evidence for Ultraman's role. However, without official confirmation, it remains speculation. The arrest scene might be explained by Superman being framed for crimes committed by his evil double, a plot twist revealed later. This could explain Gunn's earlier statement.

Ultimately, only official confirmation will settle the matter. 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 Warner Bros.' inaugural film in their rebooted DC Universe, focusing on the iconic hero. This iteration features a new Man of Steel, following Henry Cavill's departure, aiming to capture the character's essence as "the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way."

Source: Cleveland.com