James Gunn Sets the Record Straight on the Superman Villain Rumors

09.04.2024 - 16:33 / gamerant.com / James Gunn / Isabela Merced / Lex Luthor / Nathan Fillion / Rachel Brosnahan / Edi Gathegi / Skyler Gisondo / Jerry Mackenzie / James

James Gunn, the director behind Superman, has taken to social media to address the rumors surrounding the movie's villain and provide fans with an update on the production's progress.

As the movie, formerly titled Superman: Legacy, continues to film, speculation has run rampant about the potential inclusion of a villain named Ultraman, reportedly created by the Man of Steel's arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. The rumored plot element seems to draw inspiration from a classic Silver Age comics story in which Luthor creates an evil Superman clone named Bizarro. However, Gunn has stepped in to clarify the situation and shed light on the movie's true focus.

Gunn took to Threads to address some of these rumors. In his post, Gunn clarified that the primary protagonist of the movie is, unsurprisingly, Superman himself, while the main villain will be Lex Luthor. He expressed frustration with the numerous stories and speculation that have been spreading, stating, «I don't know where all the stuff is coming from that it's something other than this. There are so many stories coming out every day it's difficult to deal with and everytime I strike something down I'm giving it attention.» Gunn urged fans to refrain from believing anything unless it comes directly from him, and questioned why anyone would want to know everything about the movie before its release.

Gunn also provided an update on the movie's progress, revealing that only 18% of the production was complete after a little more than a month of filming. This update gives fans a sense of the scale and scope of the project, hinting at the extensive work that still lies ahead for the cast and crew. The ensemble includes David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and a host of other notable actors such as Wendell Pierce, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Skyler Gisondo, and Terence Rosemore.

Corenswet has recently mentioned that the film takes inspiration from the comic book storylines Superman for All Seasons and All-Star Superman. Superman for All Seasons is a four-issue limited series that explores Superman's early years and his relationships with key characters like Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Jonathan and Martha Kent. On the other hand, All-Star Superman is a twelve-issue series that presents a unique and emotional take on the Man of Steel, showcasing his heroism and the impact he has on the world. While drawing from these classic stories, Gunn and his team are also striving to create something fresh and original with their interpretation of the character.

As the first film in the ambitious reboot of the DCEU, Superman carries a lot of weight and expectations. Gunn, who was appointed as the co-CEO of DC