UNMASKED: 11 Shocking Superheroes & Villains Invading James Gunn's Superman Movie!

Summary

James Gunn’s Superman film introduces a new take on the superhero and features several DC superheroes and villains.
Krypto the Super Dog, Lex Luthor, and The Engineer are among the characters set to make an appearance in the movie.
The film includes lesser-known characters like Maxwell Lord, Mister Terrific, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl to expand the DC Universe.

On July 11, 2025, soar into cinemas with us, it’s “James Gunn’s Superman.” This isn’t just a fresh start for the Superman series in live-action, but the inaugural film in the brand-new DC Universe. With James Gunn aiming to develop a DC Universe that resonates more like the comics or animated TV shows, a host of new characters will be unveiled.

According to James Gunn’s revelations, official statements, trailers, and confirmed actors, it appears that multiple DC superheroes and villains will make an appearance in the upcoming movie. From well-known chapters of Superman’s past to lesser-known characters that could potentially enrich the DC Universe with new narratives, the movie promises to be a significant addition to the Superman saga.

11. Superman

The Metropolis Marvel Will Be Pushed To His Limit

Real Name: Clark Kent/Kal-El
Played By: David Corenswet

In every “Superman” film, it’s essential that Superman himself is present, and this new adaptation offers a fresh perspective to kick off the DC Universe. The role of Superman is taken on by David Corenswet, who will encounter numerous trials from villains, colossal monsters, and even other heroes. However, his influence is evident as people are seen calling out for him and chanting in the trailer, demonstrating his impact.

In much the same way as audiences are familiar with the backstories of characters like Batman and Spider-Man, it’s logical to depict a Superman who is already a hero in a universe brimming with heroes. His costume reflects various comic book interpretations, ranging from “Kingdom Come” to the New 52 era of DC Comics.

10. Krypto The Super Dog

A Good Dog With A Lot Of Power

Real Name: Krypto
Played By: Ozo

James Gunn has spent his career creating CGI animals that win over audiences, from the two live-action Scooby-Doo movies to Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy, Sebastian the Rat in The Suicide Squad, and Eagly in Peacemaker. Now, he’s planning to introduce Krypto the Super Dog on the big screen.

In a nutshell, Krypto is a canine companion who shares Superman’s superhuman strength and speed, resulting in thrilling action scenes. However, it seems that Superman finds caring for Krypto challenging due to the dog’s energetic and playful nature, which could potentially create chaos when combined with his powers. This leaves viewers eagerly anticipating how their friendship unfolds within the movie.

9. Lex Luthor

He Hates Superman In Every Universe

Real Name: Alexander Luthor
Played By: Nicholas Hoult

As a die-hard movie fan, I must say that despite the fact that I’ve seen Superman face off against alien and dimensional adversaries with the potential to annihilate entire planets effortlessly, it’s Lex Luthor who remains his most formidable foe. Unlike Clark Kent, Lex hails from a privileged background and is fueled by an overwhelming narcissism and sense of superiority, often disregarding the feelings of others. In James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie, Lex Luthor will be played by Nicholas Hoult.

In the new portrayal of the character, it isn’t fully revealed yet, but it seems clear that he nurtures a profound dislike for Superman. It’s still uncertain if he will act as the primary antagonist or work under someone else’s control. Yet, this version could potentially mark the first time Lex Luthor appears in film wearing his signature exo-suit, adding a unique twist to the DC Universe.

8. The Engineer

Setting Up The Authority For The DCU

Real Name: Angie Spica
Played By: María Gabriela de Faría

James Gunn emphasized that although there are numerous characters in Superman, it’s essentially still his tale, with the foundation for other DC Universe narratives playing a secondary role in the movie. For instance, the character known as The Engineer is set to make her appearance in the film, and she is expected to reappear in a future production titled “The Authority,” which is based on the Wildstorm comics of the same name.

In the role of María Gabriela de Faría, The Engineer bears a resemblance to the shape-shifting T-1000 from the Terminator series, as her body consists of malleable metal that she manipulates to create weapons and various objects. The Authority, on the other hand, is a group of superheroes with a darker background, slated for their own film within the DC Universe.

7. Colonel Flag

Could Be The DCU’s Equivalent Of Nick Fury

Real Name: Rick Flag Sr.
Played By: Frank Grillo

The first instance of characters linking stories is Colonel Flag, also known as Rick Flag Senior, who debuted in the DC Universe’s ‘Creature Commandos’ as the team’s commander and a top official from the ARGUS program. It has been confirmed that ARGUS will feature in ‘Superman’, with Rick Flag Senior taking charge, but it remains unclear what kind of role he will play.

Frank Grillo is set to reappear in the “Superman” production and will also feature in the upcoming season of “Peacemaker,” premiering on Max on August 21, 2025. It appears that Grillo is playing a significant role in linking the DC Universe at this point. Known for his portrayal of both Marvel and DC characters, Frank Grillo previously played the villain Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

6. Mysterious Villain

Fans Are Speculating Who The Man In Black Is

Real Name: Unknown
Played By: Unknown

Since photos of the secret villain wearing a black suit leaked online, fans have been eagerly speculating about who this enigmatic adversary for Superman might be. Some have drawn parallels to Black Noir from ‘The Boys’ because of their matching costumes, but so far, there seem to be no clear connections to any villain depicted in the comics, leaving fans intrigued and guessing.

In my interpretation, the distinctive “U” emblem on his chest could be suggesting a fresh twist on the character Ultraman, who’s essentially a malevolent counterpart to Superman from another realm. Yet, instead of being an alternate version, this depiction might be a genetically engineered duplicate of Superman itself. Interestingly, that symbol was also employed by the villain Ulysses in the New 52 comics, which aligns with James Gunn’s penchant for incorporating lesser-known characters over popular ones.

5. Maxwell Lord

The Founder Of Justice League International

Real Name: Maxwell Lord
Played By: Sean Gunn

Sean Gunn played multiple roles in the Guardians Of The Galaxy trilogy, including Kraglin and the performance capture for Rocket Raccoon, as well as characters like G.I. Robot and Weasel in Creature Commandos. Now, he will be taking on the role of Maxwell Lord in the upcoming film Superman, a character who has shown shades of both good and evil in the comics.

Maxwell Lord shares similarities with Lex Luthor in terms of business prowess, but unlike Luthor, he has a closer connection to superheroes. Notably, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific are depicted wearing suits designed by Maxwell Lord, suggesting the Justice League International, which is characterized as a more corporate-oriented superhero team. This dual nature of Lord can be seen as positive and negative, given that he eventually transforms into a ruthless assassin in the comics.

4. Mister Terrific

Lex Luthor Wishes He Was This Terrific

Real Name: Michael Holt
Played By: Edi Gathegi

In his first appearance on the silver screen, we have Michael Holt, more famously known as Mister Terrific. To put it simply, he’s an intellectually gifted and financially well-off character who transforms into a high-tech superhero in a manner reminiscent of Batman. Dressed in attire that screams fair play and equipped with T-Spheres, Edi Gathegi appears to have leapt straight from the comic books. With his potential to join the Justice League in future films, he’s shaping up to be a genuine contender.

In the world of DC comics, this character is renowned for his exceptional intellect, even outsmarting Lex Luthor, a significant detail that might play a role in future storylines as he engages in battles against LuthorCorp’s soldiers. Moreover, his costume design hints at him being part of Maxwell Lord’s team among various heroes, but speculations suggest he will eventually betray Justice League International to aid Superman in the upcoming movie.

3. Green Lantern

Guy Gardner Is Both A Great And Terrible Superhero

Real Name: Guy Gardner
Played By: Nathan Fillion

The movie will showcase Green Lantern, albeit not the character fans were anticipating. While Guy Gardner has the potential to be an outstanding hero, given that he was selected by the Power Ring, his arrogance frequently hinders this possibility. Known for being one of the most problematic Green Lanterns in Corps’ history, Guy allows his fearlessness to transform him into a boastful and rash hero, with his ego often proving to be a stumbling block.

In another collaboration with James Gunn, Nathan Fillion reprises his role as the Green Lantern character. This time around, he also works for Maxwell Lord and sports the iconic bowl haircut from the comics, which may elicit chuckles. Despite his humorous appearance, it’s important to remember that even Superman can be vulnerable to a Green Lantern’s mental fortitude and energy. There are speculations that Superman might engage in a battle with him, along with the Justice League International.

2. Hawkgirl

The First Hawkgirl To Hit The Big Screen

Real Name: Kendra Saunders
Played By: Isabela Merced

Following Aldis Hodge’s impressive performance as Hawkman in “Black Adam”, speculation arose about the potential for Hawkgirl to take center stage. Fortunately, James Gunn is introducing her into the DC Universe. She is the third hero sporting a Maxwell Lord uniform and is portrayed by Isabela Merced, who has been moving between roles in DC films, “The Last of Us”, and “Alien”.

In the comic books, Hawkgirl, who uses a mace, has two distinct versions. It’s been made clear that Merced is playing Kendra Saunders, who is the reborn form of the original Golden Age Hawkgirl from the comics. This era of DC Comics seems to be a major influence on James Gunn.

Two unique versions of Hawkgirl, armed with a mace, appear in comic books. Confirmation came that Merced represents Kendra Saunders, who is a reincarnation of the original Hawkgirl from the Golden Age comics. This time period of DC Comics seems to be a significant inspiration for James Gunn.

1. Metamorpho

A Tragic Hero Created By A True Villain

Real Name: Rex Mason
Played By: Anthony Carrigan

In essence, the superhero known as Metamorpho goes by the real name Rex Mason. His powers stem from an unfortunate incident involving an attempted murder, which left him with the unique ability to generate various objects made of different elemental substances directly from his own body. Unfortunately, he acquired these abilities due to his relationship with the daughter of a heartless CEO named Simon Stagg, who held a deep-seated dislike for Rex.

Actor Anthony Carrigan, known for portraying DC characters on both “The Flash” and “Gotham,” is taking on the role of Metamorpho in the upcoming series. Fans are eager to see how much of his origin story will be revealed within the context of “Superman.” Given that Stagg Industries has already been established in the DC Universe, it’s speculated that Superman might be the sole character trying to aid him while others, including Stagg himself, attempt to destroy or control him.

2025-04-12 17:35

UNMASKED: 11 Shocking Superheroes & Villains Invading James Gunn’s Superman Movie!