Recent Superman movie set photos appear to confirm earlier reports of a major DC villain's appearance. Interestingly, director James Gunn previously downplayed these reports.

In April 2024, industry insiders CanWeGetSomeToast and DanielRPK reported Ultraman as Superman's adversary in the DCU debut. DanielRPK even labeled Ultraman the "main villain," a claim Gunn countered on Threads, stating that Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor was the primary antagonist and urging fans to only trust official sources. While Gunn didn't explicitly deny Ultraman's presence, his statement implied otherwise.

New photos from Cleveland.com, however, seem to contradict Gunn's suggestion. Images and video show David Corenswet's Superman in custody, seemingly apprehended by Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr., María Gabriela de Faría's The Engineer, and a masked figure with a prominent "U" symbol on their chest – strongly suggesting Ultraman. Gunn has yet to comment.

This has led to criticism of Gunn for seemingly misleading fans, while others defend him, pointing out he never explicitly ruled out Ultraman, only specifying Lex Luthor as the main villain. DanielRPK clarified his "main villain" comment, explaining it referred to Ultraman as Superman's primary physical opponent, as the Man of Steel reportedly doesn't directly confront Lex Luthor in the film.

While the "U" symbol provides strong circumstantial evidence, official confirmation remains absent. One theory posits Superman's arrest stems from crimes committed by his evil doppelganger, a reveal possibly saved for the film's climax. This could explain Gunn's previous statements and the villain's masked identity as a plot twist.

Ultimately, speculation remains until official confirmation arrives. However, if Ultraman's involvement is confirmed, it may impact fan trust in Gunn's future comments on DCU rumors.

Superman is slated for release on July 11, 2025.

##### Superman (2025)

Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the inaugural film in Warner Bros.' revamped DC Universe, focusing on the iconic superhero. It features a new iteration of the Man of Steel, following Henry Cavill's departure, aiming to capture the character's essence as "the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way."

Source: Cleveland.com