Summary

James Gunn's Superman movie may include Ultraman, an evil version of Superman.
Fans speculate that the character seen in the trailer may actually be Bizarro, a mirror version of Superman.
Speculation also suggests that David Corenswet could play either Ultraman or Bizarro in the movie, adding to fan excitement.

Is James Gunn secretly hiding one of Superman's most bizarre foes with Ultraman? Trailers for Superman have trickled out glimpses of the world and characters in the movie, which is intended to set up the new DC Universe. Gunn casts a wide net, including Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and even Superman's dog Krypto. The movie also introduces the DCU's Lex Luthor and other villains, like Metallo and Gunn's original creation, The Hammer of Boravia.

Another cryptic villain seen in promotional materials is Ultraman. There is an Ultraman from DC Comics, which could be the same character seen in the "U" dubbed suit in the trailers. However, some fans speculate that Ultraman's suit may be hiding another bizarre Superman villain that could be making their live-action debut.

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By Timothy McClelland

Who Is Ultraman In The Superman Trailers?

In DC Comics, Ultraman is a villainous version of Superman from Earth-Three, with the same powers as the caped hero. He is also part of a team called the Crime Syndicate, which is like an evil version of the Justice League. One of the most significant differences is that Ultraman is powered by Kryptonite and harmed by the Earth's sun, which is the opposite of Superman. There have even been comic storylines where the supervillain allied with Lex Luthor, hoping to eliminate their respective caped heroes. Ultraman has also appeared in live action before, as the TV series Smallville featured a version of the character.

Gunn's Superman features Ultraman covered head to toe in a dark suit, his true identity remaining unknown beyond the name. However, with Ultraman being damaged by the Earth's sun in the comics, the suit would make sense, shielding his skin from the sun's rays. Different trailer moments also show the character seemingly allied with Rick Flag Sr., leading A.R.G.U.S., and with Lex Luthor when he assaults Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Luthor appears to be the character calling the shots, but much of Superman's plot remains under wraps. Still, there is speculation among fans that Ultraman is hiding a different character altogether.

Could Ultraman Be Hiding The Live-Action Debut Of Bizarro?

The most recent Superman trailer, which debuted when tickets went on sale, shared a few new glimpses of the character. Superman is seen taking a heat vision blast from a very interesting-looking foe. While this could be Ultraman utilizing his Superman powers, others online speculated that it could be the DCU's version of Bizarro, given the character's appearance in the quick shot. There could be several explanations, like merely Ultraman with a tattered suit, or even the much wilder theory that it's Lobo with heat vision for some reason. However, many fans are hoping for Bizarro, with James Gunn being a great director to bring him to life.

Bizarro is a "mirror" version of Superman, possessing powers similar to his counterpart, like flying. However, Bizarro also has powers that are the direct opposite of Superman's, like Arctic vision, flame breath, vacuum breath, and spotlight vision. There are also unique takes on powers like X-ray vision, with Bizarro only able to see through lead with it.

Some may argue that the characters' use of heat vision in the trailer negates the possibility that it is Bizarro. However, DC may be copying a strategy previously employed by its comic book movie counterpart, Marvel, as several MCU films have been altered for trailers. Spider-Man: No Way Home notoriously had shots where characters looked edited out, which ultimately proved accurate. Even Thunderbolts* recently continued the trend with Taskmaster. Therefore, the character's heat vision may be Arctic vision that has been digitally altered for the trailer.

No Matter The Character, Fans Believe David Corenswet Could Be Playing Them

There could be numerous explanations for the character, as Ultraman is still a good bet. However, Bizarro would be a fun introduction for the DCU, and there are possibilities that it's just a clone of Superman that Luthor made. Some fans have even posited that it is the Ultra-Humanite, a mad scientist whose brain has been transplanted into a mutated ape's body. However, Reddit users were asked if Superman actor David Corenswet is playing Ultraman in the movie, which would make sense given that he is an evil version of the character. Bizarro's name quickly came up from more than one person, with the character clearly on fans' minds.

Despite the character's identity remaining unknown, fans seem to think Bizarro is a real possibility. No matter the ultimate reveal, current speculation paints David Corenswet as likely playing the role. While much remains unknown about James Gunn's DCU, he has already proven that the universe will make unique content to set itself apart. Creature Commandos kicked things off with an animated series, Peacemaker is returning for a second season, and even a Clayface movie is in the works. Superman will help establish the future of the DCU when it hits theaters, and fans may be treated to one unique villain that could help flesh out the tone of James Gunn's plans.

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