Superman's Role in the DCU Reboot: Collaborating with Other Heroes

A rumor about which characters the Man of Steel will fight in Superman has been debunked. The DC Universe reboot of the Man of Steel was recently retitled from Superman: Legacy to simply Superman. While filming for the film started, little is known about the plot of James Gunn's Superman, with the director now addressing a rumor that could have cleared up what was the role of the other DCU heroes of Superman's star-studded cast.

James Gunn clarified on Threads that the rumor about Lex Luthor setting up Superman as a villain and Clark Kent fighting other heroes is not true.

On Threads, James Gunn revealed that there was no truth to the rumor that Lex Luthor would set up Superman as a villain, with Clark Kent fighting other heroes - Gunn previously revealed that the movie would focus on both sides of Corenswet's character, with the DCU heroes interacting with Superman and Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and others impacting Clark Kent's life

Gunn had mentioned that the upcoming movie would explore different aspects of Corenswet's character, including interactions with iconic DCU heroes like Superman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen. Although there were speculations about Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor being the main villain, Gunn clarified that his role in the movie is still unknown.

Who Should Be The Villain Of James Gunn’s Superman?

Lex Luthor Has Appeared In Several Movies

Lex Luthor and Nicholas Hoult from X-Men: Apocalypse - Lex Luthor Has Appeared In Several Movies - Who Should Be The Villain Of James Gunn’s Superman?

Custom Image by Ross Tanenbaum

Despite rumors suggesting that Luthor may be portrayed as the villain in the upcoming DCU movie, heroes like Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Metamorpho have debunked these claims. However, the plot of the movie has not been confirmed yet, and Superman's main antagonist has not been announced. It is possible that Hoult's Lex could be the ultimate foe in the film.

On the other hand, Lex Luthor has traditionally been portrayed as the main villain in various Superman adaptations. With the DCU aiming for a fresh start, it would make sense for Hoult's character to have a supporting role in Superman, gradually becoming a significant presence in the DCU as more projects are released. For this to occur, another character would need to be introduced as the main villain in Superman, with only one possible alternative identified so far.

When María Gabriela de Faría was announced as part of the Superman cast, her character - the Engineer - was labeled as an antagonist. The Engineer is a member of The Authority, a DC team set to appear in a movie within the DC Universe. This hints that Corenswet's Superman and other heroes will potentially face off against The Authority. James Gunn has hinted at Brainiac in the past, and there are rumors that Mongul may be the movie's villain. As filming for Superman has already begun, we may soon find out who the true villain of the film will be.

Editor's P/S:

The article effectively debunks the rumor that Lex Luthor would pit Superman against other heroes, providing clarity on James Gunn's vision for the upcoming film. While the main antagonist remains unknown, the mention of The Authority and hints of Brainiac or Mongul suggest a formidable threat. As filming progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the revelation of Superman's true adversary and the exploration of different aspects of the iconic hero's character.

The article also highlights the potential for a gradual build-up of Lex Luthor's role in the DCU, with Hoult's portrayal initially taking a supporting role before evolving into a more significant presence. This approach would allow for a nuanced and strategic development of the character, aligning with the fresh start and long-term storytelling goals of the DC Universe.