All 10 Villains in James Gunn’s Superman (2025) – Explained
From cosmic giants to political manipulators, Superman’s new rogues’ gallery is bigger and bolder than ever.
James Gunn’s Superman is set to be an action-packed reimagining of the Man of Steel’s mythology, complete with a seriously packed roster of supervillains. Although Lex Luthor has traditionally been Superman’s arch-nemesis, the upcoming film brings several powerful foes, both classic and newly introduced, who will be pitted against David Corenswet’s Superman in the first movie of DC’s new cinematic universe. Here’s a full breakdown of all 10 villains appearing in Superman.
Table of Contents
10. White Alien Villain
This is an interesting villain we saw in Superman’s leaked images from the shoots. Brief clips from behind the scenes introduced us to a mysterious white-skinned alien figure with LexCorp guards surrounding him. With hardly any details revealed, speculation is already brewing that he might be a White Martian or an extraterrestrial being working for Lex.
Whatever he may be, an informant or a warrior, his presence suggests an otherworldly aspect to the film’s plot.
9. Solaris the Tyrant Sun?
After watching the new Superman trailer, with the fortress robots resembling the ones in All-Star, I think this is Solaris, the Tyrant Sunpic.twitter.com/2tzJyutV1u
A powerful cosmic entity seems to loom over Metropolis in the trailer, presumed by most fans to be Solaris, the Tyrant Sun. First revealed in All-Star Superman, Solaris is a sentient star capable of devastating power.
If he’s the one involved, it signals that Gunn’s DCU will venture into cosmic territory. Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern is fighting against this force, so Solaris may prove to be a central force behind the chaos.
8. A Kaiju
One of the film’s most surprising reveals is a giant, flame-breathing Kaiju attacking Metropolis. Though its origin remains unclear, the creature’s size guarantees a spectacle.
An officially licensed merchandise even shows the Kaiju being handcuffed, implying that Superman will manage to subdue it. Whether it’s an alien invader or a man-made monster, it adds an exciting, larger-than-life challenge to the equation.
7. Metamorpho (Rex Mason)
Metamorpho is portrayed by Anthony Carrigan, a character who is traditionally heroic in the comics. In Superman, however, he’s seen behind bars with Kal-El and potentially aiding in his capture.
Seen wielding Kryptonite, Metamorpho might be an unwilling pawn of Lex or someone manipulated with the promise of a cure for his condition. His role hints at a redemptive arc and suggests he might evolve beyond his initial antagonism.
6. Maxwell Lord
Sean Gunn has been cast as Maxwell Lord in James Gunn’s DCU.(Source: Deadline)pic.twitter.com/1yqBOHMnQc
Played by Sean Gunn, Maxwell Lord is the CEO of LordTech and the Justice Gang. He hasn’t appeared in trailers yet, but his casting confirms a significant role. Lord is a complex character in comic books, a hero benefactor to Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific at first, but later leans toward a villainous arc.
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It’s unclear where his loyalties lie here, but fans are speculating about whether he may already have ulterior motives within this universe.
5. Eve Teschmacher and Otis Burg
Lex Luthor’s inner circle features two familiar faces: Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio) and Otis Burg (Terence Rosemore). Eve, a character usually depicted as Lex’s longtime assistant and occasional love interest, is now shown working closely with him at LexCorp. Otis, Lex’s bumbling but loyal sidekick, along with Eve, adds comedic contrast and continuity to Luthor’s presence.
4. Ultraman
A mysterious, masked figure wearing a black suit and goggles appears to possess powers rivaling Superman’s. Seen escorting Superman under arrest and later battlingKal-Elin an intense stadium fight, this individual is heavily speculated to be Ultraman, a variant from Earth-3. If true, he will be one of the most powerful villains in Superman 2025.
Other speculation suggests that he might be a clone like Bizarro. Either way, his connection to Lex and physical resemblance to Superman make him a major threat.
3. Hammer of Boravia
First look at the Hammer of Boravia in James Gunn’s ‘SUPERMAN’pic.twitter.com/co1iiL4wlP
An original addition to the DCU, the Hammer of Boravia is a golden-armored foe from the war-torn nation of Boravia, where Superman makes a controversial intervention. Appearing in the trailer during scenes of intense destruction, the Hammer seems to blame Superman for the collateral damage.
While not a comic character, he brings a geopolitical edge to the story, exploring the consequences of super-powered intervention in global conflicts.
2. The Engineer (Angela Spica)
Played by María Gabriela de Faría,the Engineer is a technologically advanced fighterwho can forge weapons out of her nanotech-infused body. In the trailer, she is seen dominating Mister Terrific and fighting Superman inside the Fortress of Solitude.
Tied to the Authority in the comics, her character in the film seems significantly darker in tone, and her allegiance to Lex Luthor may give her a critical edge in battle.
1. Lex Luthor
Probably one of the most powerful villains in Superman 2025, Lex Luthor needs no introduction. He returns as Superman’s primary adversary, this time portrayed by Nicholas Hoult. Luthor is a powerful figure who views Superman not as a hero, but as a danger to mankind: His quote, “He’s not a man. He’s an it.” sums up what he thinks of Superman.
The trailer shows Luthor orchestrating attacks, breaking into the Fortress of Solitude, and possibly even acting as President of the United States. His manipulations extend to nearly every other villain, such as Ultraman and the Engineer, and he is thus the true mastermind behind the film’s conflicts.
Final Thoughts
James Gunn’s Superman isn’t just rebooting the iconic hero; it’s reshaping his entire rogues’ gallery. With a combination of comic book familiar villains and bold new faces, the film promises a rich, layered conflict to launch DC’s new era. With the June 13, 2025, release date looming, excitement mounts for what might be the boldest Superman movie yet.
Umair Nakade
Umair has loved anime since it was still pretty niche, growing up watching classics like Pokémon, Dragon Ball, Zatch Bell, and Beyblade in the early 2010s. Death Note really got him hooked, and since then, he’s caught up with everything from the Big Three to the latest Shonen Jump hits, with Haikyuu!!! as his favorite. But he’s not just about anime, Umair’s a huge cinephile, especially superhero flicks from Marvel and DC, and never misses opening day at theaters. When he’s not watching or writing, you will find him playing Wuthering Waves, AAA titles, or listening to Harry Styles on repeat. At Techwiser, Umair is dedicated to covering anime and pop culture content.
