‘Superman’ and Every DC Character You Might’ve Missed in the Trailer

As a seasoned comic book enthusiast with a penchant for superhero lore and a soft spot for the Man of Steel, I can hardly contain my excitement for James Gunn’s upcoming reimagining of Superman. The prospect of witnessing Superman take on an original kaiju, reminiscent of the classic Artic Giant, has me positively giddy!

The upcoming trailer for the character Superman presents viewers with a fresh, thrilling perspective on the well-known DC superhero. Unlike any previous film adaptations, James Gunn’s debut in his new DC Universe, featuring Superman, will offer something unique. In this film, audiences will step into a universe where superheroes have already been around for some time, rather than following an origin story. Instead, Superman will engage with other DC heroes within a fully-realized DC Universe that James Gunn has likened to both “Star Wars” and “Game of Thrones”.

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but notice that while Superman, Lois Lane, and Lex Luthor are undoubtedly familiar faces, the trailer for this upcoming film is packed with subtle nods to DC’s rich history that you might blink and miss. Some of the Justice League’s most iconic members, a few cult-favorite heroes, and even some groundbreaking Superman elements will be making their live-action cinematic debut for the first time. Here’s a rundown of every major DC character in Superman that might have slipped past your radar, including some intriguing theories about a potential enigmatic villain.

Mr. Terrific

Edi Gathegi portrays the character known as Mister Terrific. Born as Michael Holt, this figure is renowned for his intelligence within the DC Universe and excels in fields such as robotics, medicine, and martial arts. His athleticism mirrors his intellect, having won Olympic medals. Despite lacking personal superpowers, he’s frequently aided by small drones called “T-Spheres”. These orbital devices can establish energy barriers for protection, breach computer systems, and offer defensive and offensive weaponry as well.

In his analysis, Gunn positions Mister Terrific as a vital element in the Superman narrative. He stands out among the film’s primary supporting characters from the DC universe and could potentially head this superhero ensemble, which includes Hawkgirl, Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), and Metamorpho. It seems that Mister Terrific will play a significant part in shaping the future of the DC Universe.

Hawkgirl

In the trailer, it appears that the character portrayed by Isabela Merced, Hawkgirl, is the DC figure we’re dealing with. Many viewers will recognize her from her notable roles in both the original Justice League and its spin-off, Justice League Unlimited. Known for her intricate backstory, Hawkgirl has one of the most complex origins within DC Comics lore. Over time, several retcons have positioned her as a past Egyptian princess who served in an alien police force consisting of hawk-humanoids. A recurring theme across her stories involves the power of reincarnation.

In simpler terms, it appears that the character Hawkgirl, in her appearance alongside Superman, might be preparing for a more significant role within the DC Universe. With Aaron Pierre cast as Green Lantern John Stewart, it’s possible that director James Gunn is constructing a Justice League team similar to the one depicted in the animated series. Additionally, both Justice League and Justice League Unlimited suggested a romantic relationship between Stewart and Hawkgirl, which could be the basis for future storylines. Furthermore, there’s speculation that she might replace Swift in the upcoming film adaptation of The Authority.

Guy Garder

In an unmistakable hairstyle reminiscent of the ’80s, Nathan Fillion portrays Guy Gardner, one of the Green Lanterns hailing from the DC Comics universe. The character’s appearance seems to have been plucked right out of the classic Justice League International comic series, a run that played a significant role in shaping who Guy Gardner is as a character. This 1980s series appears to be serving as a strong inspiration for James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe.

In 2026, the series “Lanterns” is set to premiere on HBO, a year following the release of “Superman” in cinemas. This means that the Green Lantern Corps will undoubtedly play a significant role within the DCU (DC Universe). It remains uncertain how Guy Gardner will be involved in the series, if at all, but given his past connection with fellow Green Lantern Hal Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Chandler, there’s potential for him to appear. John Fillion, who previously played TDK in “The Suicide Squad”, has also been confirmed as part of the DCU through “Creature Commandos”. Therefore, it will be intriguing to see if any references are made to this similarity within the film.

Metamorpho

Many DC fans might have missed that Metamorpho appears in the trailer for Superman. Played by Anthony Carrigan, Metamorpho is an adventurer named Rex Mason. He is converted into a man made of a shifting mass of chemicals after being cursed by an ancient artifact and unable to revert to a fully human form. The trailer doesn’t show Metamorpho’s power in action, but the trailers showcase his incredible design.

In the new Superman trailer, it’s hinted that Stagg Industries might be sponsoring a group of superheroes consisting of Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Guy Gardner. It’s significant because Stagg Industries plays a crucial role in the story of Metamorpho, where Simon Stagg, its CEO, was once romantically involved with Sapphire Stagg. In the comics, Simon plotted to eliminate Mason, who later gained powers and became Metamorpho’s nemesis. However, it should be noted that while Oliver Cotton portrayed Simon Stagg in Wonder Woman 1984, this film is unlikely to be part of the same DC Universe timeline.

Krypto

It is hard to miss Krypto, but he is certainly worth mentioning. Despite being one of the most popular elements of Superman’s supporting characters and multiple live-action films, this marks Krypto’s live-action film debut (he previously was voiced by Dwayne Johnson in DC’s League of Super-Pets). Krypto will play a significant role in Superman, according to James Gunn.

James Gunn revealed that the character Krypto, from the upcoming DCU film, was influenced by their real-life adopted dog named Ozu. Gunn hinted that just like Ozu, Krypto will likely create quite a ruckus, with an extra layer of responsibility since he’s a dog who doesn’t realize his own power. Additionally, Krypto is a significant figure in the comic ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’, which serves as the foundation for the DCU film that follows ‘Superman’.

Kelex

In one scene from Superman, the Man of Steel is depicted carrying a seemingly malfunctioning robot, which appears to be beyond repair and shutting down. Although not explicitly named in the trailer, this character could very well be Kelex. Originating from John Byrne’s creation for issue #1 of Man of Steel in July 1986, Kelex is a Kryptonian automaton, often responsible for maintaining the Fortress of Solitude. In the comics, Kelex was destroyed by Lex Luthor, a recurring antagonist of Superman, hinting that this could be a plot point in this movie.

The shot of Superman holding Kelex is similar to Nina Mazursky holding the head of a destroyed G.I. Robot from the third episode of Creature Commandos. It is also highly likely that Kelex is who Alan Tudyk is set to voice. Tudyk is already the voice of Doctor Phosphorus, Will Magnus, and Clayface in Creature Commandos, so it wouldn’t be shocking to have him voice another DCU character.

Kaiju

As a fan, I must say that one of the most captivating moments in the trailer for me is the scene where a colossal Kaiju appears. Drawing inspiration from the Superman comics, particularly during the Silver Age from the 1950s to 1970s, James Gunn has brilliantly incorporated the iconic element of superheroes battling gigantic monstrous creatures. This classic trope, where superheroes utilize their extraordinary abilities to confront such fearsome foes, is deeply ingrained in the genre and can be traced back to the first issue of The Fantastic Four, as well as beloved series like the Powerpuff Girls.

So far, this concept hasn’t been depicted on screen, possibly because filmmakers were apprehensive that it would be perceived as too extreme or foolish for general viewers. However, James Gunn is about to shatter those expectations with a portrayal that enthusiasts have longed for over the years, having previously dabbled in this realm with Starro in “The Suicide Squad”.

As a seasoned movie critic, I must say that the upcoming film seems ripe with potential for a classic showdown between the Man of Steel and a colossal monster straight out of DC Comics’ rich history. In those Silver Age days, it felt like every other issue found Jimmy Olsen morphing into some titanic beast for Superman to vanquish. This new creature appears to be an original kaiju, yet its dinosaur-esque features hint at a possible nod to the very first time Superman grappled with a giant monster, as depicted in the 1942 animated short “The Artic Giant.” In this vintage tale, Superman engaged in battle against a dinosaur, and now James Gunn sets Superman on a collision course with a Godzilla-like opponent.

Superman’s Mysterious Foe

As a die-hard cinephile, the enigma swirling around Superman’s next adventure is who this shadowy adversary might be, clad entirely in black and sporting a colossal ‘U’ emblem on his chest that has sparked whispers among fans – could this be DCU’s take on Ultraman? Known for his antagonistic role as an evil alternate version of Superman hailing from another dimension, the appearance of Lex Luthor as the film’s primary villain only fuels speculation that we’re dealing with Bizarro. This enigmatic character is a renowned adversary of Superman, often depicted as his twisted mirror image – a flawed clone created by none other than Lex Luthor himself. However, I’ve got an alternate theory brewing that could mesh seamlessly with the film’s established themes, courtesy of James Gunn.

In our opinion, this character appears to be a fusion of Bizzaro and Ultraman, resulting in a new antagonist we might call “Nietzsche’s Übermensch”. Coined by philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, “Übermensch” translates to “the superior man” or “Superman.” It refers to an individual who achieves extraordinary power and is believed to be a superior human. This term gained prominence among Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime as a symbol of their belief in a biologically superior Aryan or Germanic master race, deeply rooted in their ideology.

Given that Übermensch is roughly equivalent to “Superman” in meaning, there’s a frequent connection drawn between Superman and this concept, despite the fact that Superman doesn’t fit the traditional definition or the problematic Nazi usage of the term. Since Creature Commandos has always been politically charged, with G.I. Robot taking down both Nazis and Neo-Nazis, it wouldn’t be surprising if James Gunn were considering this idea to contrast Superman, a symbol of goodness, against a villain called Übermensch, who represents superiority over others, and have Superman emerge victorious. This thematically aligns with the hopes for the upcoming Superman movie, where the embodiment of good vanquishes the personification of superiority. Superman is slated to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

2024-12-20 00:33