James Gunn discusses Ultraman and Superman movie villains as the next Superman film prepares to introduce a wide array of antagonists, with Lex Luthor positioned as the main adversary. The film, set to release on July 11, 2025, will not only focus on Luthor but will feature Ultraman, the Engineer (Angela Spica), Eve Teschmacher, and Metamorpho, weaving together a tapestry of conflicting motives and allegiances within Metropolis.
Unmasking Ultraman: Motives and Identity Speculation
Ultraman’s role in the story has fueled curiosity and debate. Many fans speculate on the identity behind Ultraman, suggesting ideas from him being a Superman clone, to a unique take on classic villains like Parasite or Bizarro. Entertainment Weekly pressed James Gunn about Ultraman’s connection to Lex Luthor, to which Gunn responded,
“I think that’s close. Ultraman is sort of Lex’s thug, and is pretty powerful.”
—James Gunn, Director. This points to Ultraman being intricately linked to Luthor’s schemes, serving as a forceful enforcer rather than an independent threat.
Gunn also reflected on the film’s portrayal of moral shades, saying,
“There are some characters that are really almost saintly, like Superman,”
—James Gunn, Director.
“There are some characters who are almost pretty terrible, like Lex Luthor. But I don’t think Lex is all bad, and I don’t think Superman is all good. All those people in between, the Guy Gardners and the Jimmy Olsens of the world, are even more complex in their moralities and what they think is okay.”
—James Gunn, Director. These insights suggest audiences can expect a nuanced exploration of heroism and villainy rather than clear-cut divisions.
Metamorpho’s Unwilling Role
Rex Mason, better known as Metamorpho, finds himself reluctantly involved with Luthor. Much like in his comic origins, Rex’s ability to change his body into various elements—Kryptonite included—makes him a valuable asset Luthor is determined to control. Actor Anthony Carrigan commented on the painful moral dilemma facing Metamorpho:
“You’re in a situation where it’s having to hurt someone, having to be an agent of the bad guy,”
—Anthony Carrigan, Actor.
“And at the same time, there’s this struggle to want to be good. What the film does brilliantly is it puts you in this situation of, ‘Oh! He has no choice.’ He has to be doing this, and you see how painful it is.”
—Anthony Carrigan, Actor. These struggles hint at a deeply conflicted and layered performance, shaped by Luthor’s manipulations—implied to even involve a character known as Baby Joey.
Gunn summed up Lex Luthor’s influence over the chaos in Metropolis, stating,
“Lex is connected to everything. There’s nothing bad happening in Metropolis during this movie that doesn’t have some connection to Lex Luthor.”
—James Gunn, Director. Luthor’s web of influence seems pervasive, guaranteeing tension and entanglement for every player on the board.
Angela Spica/The Engineer: Loyalty with Unstable Ties
Angela Spica, also known as the Engineer, possesses advanced nanotechnological powers that allow her to alter her physical form. Actress María Gabriela de Faría shed light on the ambiguity of Spica’s relationship with Luthor:
“I imagined that Lex and Angie had this work relationship where they respect each other so much,”
—María Gabriela de Faría, Actress.
“Angela highly believes in Lex’s idea of making the world a better place. She’s practically given her life to Lex for this greater good. But at the same time, I feel like there’s an element of an underlying relationship going on between the two of them. It’s not in the movie…”
—María Gabriela de Faría, Actress. Their partnership is layered, hinting at blurred boundaries between professional respect, idealistic commitment, and possibly personal intrigue. The complexities between these two, and their effect on the shifting alliances in Metropolis, remain unresolved and ripe for exploration.
Eve Teschmacher: The Influencer Amidst Villainy
Portrayed by Sara Sampaio, Eve Teschmacher plays a less antagonistic role, serving more as an influencer enjoying Lex Luthor’s lavish lifestyle. During key moments, such as Superman’s battle with a Kaiju, Eve can be seen on the sidelines, focused on capturing content. Sampaio highlighted the character’s unique priorities, saying,
“She’s just very for herself and her content,”
—Sara Sampaio, Actress.
“She’s sometimes out of notion with what’s happening or what’s appropriate, but she does have a heart. At the end of the day, everything is just so exciting for her. She’s just in a whole different world.”
—Sara Sampaio, Actress. This provides a lighter, yet still multi-dimensional perspective on those closely orbiting Metropolis’s most notorious powerbrokers.
The Broader Landscape of Heroes and Villains
The movie’s array of complex characters stirs expectations for moral ambiguity and internal conflict. While Metamorpho may eventually align with a group like the Justice Gang, the future for the Engineer is less clear due to shifting plans for the larger DC Studios universe, including the uncertain status of The Authority. As for Ultraman, much about his character depends on what’s ultimately revealed about his true identity—an ambiguity James Gunn seems content to preserve, at least for now. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor’s influence is set to reverberate well beyond the conclusion of this film, promising further intrigue for both old and new audiences.
Superman, directed by James Gunn, will arrive in theaters July 11, 2025, aiming to redefine the battle lines between good and evil in Metropolis by bringing together a cast of conflicted heroes and villains in a dynamic, layered narrative.
