Among the many issues we all know James Gunn’s Superman is that or not it’s missing in adversaries for David Corenswet’s Clark Kent. Along with Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor main the cost because the upcoming DC film’s major antagonist and being aided by María Gabriela de Faría’s Engineer, there are two mysterious masked characters who will trigger bother: the golden-armored Hammer of Boravia (seen within the newest Superman trailer) and somebody in all black whose title we don’t know. Or slightly, we didn’t know till at present, although I’m hoping there’s extra to this identification reveal that involves us from Superman merchandise.
Superman should still be a bit of beneath two months away from premiering on the 2025 motion pictures schedule, however merch is trickling its means into retailer. That, after all, consists of toys, and the motion determine for the masked character in black (by way of DCU Updates) identifies them as “DC’s Ultraman.” That may clarify the U chest insignia, and together with “DC’s” within the label is little question a authorized distinction given there’s the Japanese character of the identical title.
This isn’t the primary time we’ve heard that James Gunn’s Superman reboot would function a personality named Ultraman. Again in April 2024, it was rumored that Corenswet would moreover play Ultraman, who on this continuity might be a clone of the Kryptonian hero created by Lex Luthor. I mentioned it again then and I’ll repeat it now: I’m not a fan of Ultraman being tailored on this means.
To be clear, I don’t have an issue with Superman together with a masked character wearing black who’s highly effective sufficient to present the title hero a run for his cash. I simply don’t like that they’re referred to as Ultraman. Historically in DC lore, Ultraman is an evil doppelgänger of Superman from Earth-3 who leads the Crime Syndicate of America. In the event you’re turning the character right into a generic clone, simply name him one thing else slightly than co-opt the Ultraman title.
Apparently it’s a moot level now, however like I mentioned earlier, hopefully there’s extra to this than meets the attention. Little doubt Ultraman’s masks might be eliminated sooner or later throughout Superman, and when that occurs, my fingers are crossed that he’ll find yourself being a distinct DC character, and the Ultraman title was only a misdirect. If the primary DC Universe film is certainly going the clone route, then ideally we’ll be getting a tackle Bizarro, who’s rather more becoming match a job like this provided that Lex Luthor is accountable for his creation in a number of tales.
I stay up for studying what Ultraman’s deal is a method or one other as soon as Superman flies into theaters on July 11. For these of you curious about watching older Superman motion pictures and TV reveals forward of its launch, you’ll want a Max subscription.