Ultraman’s Real Identity In James Gunn’s Superman Explained

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Contains spoilers for “Superman”

James Gunn’s “Superman” presents a novel perspective on the traditional comic book icon, kick-starting the DC Universe and propelling it towards cosmic heights. The “Superman” trailer brims with characters, both heroes and villains, each contributing significantly to the movie, but there’s only one concealing an extraordinary secret identity.

In a twist of events, it’s revealed that Ultraman is not originally Superman, but a clone, crafted by Lex Luthor instead. Initially, he disguises himself as The Hammer of Boravia, causing chaos in Metropolis from within a colossal mech suit. His appearance, always cloaked in a ninja-esque attire and remaining silent, bears resemblance to Black Noir from “The Boys”. Much like Superman, Ultraman appears to possess nearly identical powers when acting independently. The finale of “Superman” provides the explanation behind this revelation.

When Ultraman removes his mask, it reveals David Corenswet’s face, ready for our discovery beneath the helmet. As Luthor explains, the cloning procedure resulted in Ultraman having lower intelligence compared to a typical human, making him more manageable, and also boosted his Kryptonian abilities. Yet, Superman, with some clever thinking, manages to outsmart this stronger clone.

How is Ultraman different in the comics?

In the movie, Ultraman deviates significantly from his comic book origins, differing notably compared to his counterpart in the DC universe. It’s important to note that Ultra-Man is a completely distinct character within the DC universe. First appearing in 1964, Ultraman hails from an alternate universe where he and the Crime Syndicate of America seized control over Earth-Three. Initially, Ultraman didn’t cross paths with the main DC universe’s heroes until after he had conquered a world, making him a natural adversary for characters like Superman. The “New 52” reboot of DC Comics revised Ultraman’s backstory and bestowed upon him the name Kal-Il, but in the current continuity, he remains as an alternate version of Superman from another universe.

In a refreshing twist, David Corenswet portrays Ultraman in James Gunn’s “Superman.” Instead of sticking rigidly to the comics by making him another multiverse inhabitant, the creators opted for a more innovative approach – Ultraman is a clone. This not only streamlines his powers but also offers a concise and understandable explanation. It’s worth noting that Ultraman serves as a secondary antagonist in this film, allowing the focus to remain on the main villain, Lex Luthor. For those interested, Looper’s review of “Superman” provides insights into how effectively it lays the groundwork for the DCU’s success.

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2025-07-12 06:29