‘Superman’ 2025 Villain Will Return in ‘Man of Tomorrow’

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Okay, so James Gunn’s *Superman* sequel, *Man of Tomorrow*, is shaping up to be really interesting. We still don’t know the main villain, but here’s a twist: Lex Luthor is coming back! And get this – he’s not going to be battling Superman this time. Apparently, these two rivals will have to team up to face an even *bigger* bad. It’s a surprising move, and honestly, I’m intrigued to see how Gunn pulls it off.

But Lex isn’t the only Superman 2025 villain set to make his on-screen return in the new DC Universe.

The Engineer is set to reappear in *Man of Tomorrow*, but it’s currently unclear whether she’ll be an ally or an enemy.

Gunn confirms her upcoming return in his official commentary for the film.

According to director James Gunn’s commentary, Superman knocks the Engineer unconscious during the fight with Lex Luthor’s enhanced villains. This effectively removes her from the story, and her fate will be revealed in a future film.

María Gabriela de Faría plays the Engineer, a former identity named Angela Spica. She’s a super-powered villain with advanced technology in her blood that lets her change her appearance and build different kinds of weapons.

In the movie, she acts as Lex’s main assistant, tracking Superman to his icy fortress. She later attempts to kill him by using tiny robots to cut off his air supply. The powerful character is ultimately defeated and left unconscious after fighting Superman.

Ultraman, the villain created as a copy of Superman and controlled by Lex Luthor, might not return after being pulled into a black hole while fighting Superman in Metropolis.

In the movie’s commentary, Gunn addresses the question of what happens to Ultraman at the end, explaining that Superman sends him into a black hole. When asked if this means Ultraman is gone for good, Gunn admits, ‘I don’t know.’

Fans are speculating that Brainiac, a classic Superman foe who hasn’t appeared in a live-action movie yet, will be the main villain in *Man of Tomorrow*. This is based on popular theories circulating online.

It’s not just fan speculation – director James Gunn recently hinted at the possible appearance of a major villain in the next movie. He shared a photo of the script that included a drawing of a head with an oversized brain, which many fans took as a clear signal.

Coincidence? Maybe, but probably not knowing Gunn.

Filming for *Man of Tomorrow* will start in April 2026, with the movie expected to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.

Every ‘Superman’ Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

11. Justice League (2017)

The movie *Justice League* had the potential to be a fantastic finale to a connected series of films, but it ended up being a major disappointment and a low point for the superhero universe it belonged to. Director Zack Snyder had to leave the project during filming, and when Joss Whedon took over, the final product didn’t really reflect either of their styles. The editing felt rushed, the movie’s overall mood was inconsistent, and the villain was a forgettable, uninspired CGI character with no clear reason for wanting to take over the world. Although Snyder’s original vision is now available online, the theatrical version of *Justice League* is widely considered the worst film featuring Superman.

10. Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987)

While Christopher Reeve’s last outing as Superman isn’t *terrible*, it doesn’t quite live up to the classic. By 1987’s *The Quest For Peace*, the franchise had landed with Cannon Films, known for low-budget productions. The film’s $17 million budget was a steep drop from the original’s $55 million, and it definitely feels that way. However, Gene Hackman delivers a reliably entertaining performance as Lex Luthor, there are some enjoyable action scenes, and Christopher Reeve gives it his all as Superman faces a new, daunting enemy: the threat of nuclear war.

9. Superman Returns (2006)

The scene of Superman rescuing a crashing plane is one of the most impressive in any superhero film. However, the rest of *Superman Returns* spends too much time trying to feel like the original *Superman* movies directed by Richard Donner, despite being made years later with a completely new cast. This makes the film feel a bit like a lifeless imitation. A compelling storyline is surprisingly abandoned late in the movie, seemingly to set up a sequel that never happened. If the film had focused on that storyline, it could have been truly great.

8. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

In their first on-screen meeting within the DC Extended Universe, Batman and Superman immediately start fighting, with Batman holding Superman responsible for the devastation of Metropolis in the previous film, *Man of Steel*. He’s not entirely wrong to feel that way. The movie boasts a fantastic cast – Henry Cavill, a strong performance from Ben Affleck as Batman, and Gal Gadot’s impressive introduction as Wonder Woman – but the conflict between Batman and Superman becomes overly aggressive and, at times, feels like a joke. The film also gave us a character named Martha that audiences may struggle to take seriously.

7. Man of Steel (2013)

Young Clark Kent once told his mother, “The world’s too big!” and she responded, “Then make it small.” Director Zack Snyder could have benefited from that advice. *Man of Steel* is overloaded with massive threats – world-ending machines, collapsing structures, and enraged Kryptonians – that overshadow Superman himself. Perhaps Snyder intentionally portrayed Superman not as a beacon of hope, but as a potentially dangerous alien, a stranger to humanity rather than its savior. It’s certainly a different take on the character, to say the least.

6. Superman III (1983)

Most superhero movies these days are huge, universe-ending spectacles with massive special effects. That’s what makes *Superman III* so refreshing – it’s small-scale and deliberately silly. It often feels like a quirky, lighthearted comedy in the style of Jacques Tati, almost like a standalone story from a Superman comic. Beyond the humor, the movie subtly criticizes unchecked capitalism, a theme Superman has faced throughout his history. And you can’t help but enjoy a film where Superman briefly becomes a villain and his first act is to straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa, just to annoy a local shopkeeper. He’s a total super-jerk in the best way!

5. Superman and the Mole Men (1951)

This early DC Comics movie served as a test run for the popular 1950s *Adventures of Superman* TV show with George Reeves. While the special effects are pretty bad – the villains, called ‘Mole Men,’ are simply little people wearing black turtlenecks and bald caps – the film captures what Superman is all about: defending the defenseless, even in the most straightforward cases. George Reeves perfectly embodies the kind, decent heart of both Clark Kent and Superman, perhaps better than any actor since.

4. Superman II (1980)

Everyone loves Terence Stamp and the line “Kneel before Zod!” so much that they often overlook how flawed the rest of the movie is. Even the things that worked well in the original *Superman*, like the charming chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, feel forced here. Superman spends so much time showing Lois Lane his Fortress of Solitude that he doesn’t even notice three powerful Kryptonians taking over Earth! It’s strange, considering he has super-hearing. This version adds new powers like memory-altering kisses, teleportation, and shooting his emblem from his chest, making the lack of super-hearing even more noticeable. It’s worth noting that both versions of the film have their problems.

3. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Despite its flaws, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a significant step up from the original movie released in theaters. The story is easier to follow, and the characters, especially Cyborg, are much more developed. At four hours long, it’s a bit excessive – the theatrical version was too short, but this version goes on too long. Nevertheless, this cut of Justice League is the best Superman film Zack Snyder has directed and will likely be remembered as his defining work for the studio.

2. Superman (2025)

Many fans strongly resist comparing the two *Superman* movies, but I’d say the original 1978 film by Richard Donner is slightly better. However, James Gunn’s *Superman* is remarkably strong, featuring a fantastic Lex Luthor played by Nicholas Hoult – he’s brilliantly self-centered and easily offended. The supporting cast is also excellent, with standout performances from Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific and Krypto, Superman’s adorable but mischievous superdog.

This new *Superman* also presents a wonderfully relatable and charming Superman, played by David Corenswet, making him easy to root for. The film is fun, thrilling, and romantic, with a touch of social commentary. It’s a truly impressive movie that sets a high bar for future DC films, and it’s exciting because it’s intended to be the first in a whole series.

1. Superman (1978)

Christopher Reeve remains, in my opinion, the definitive Superman and Clark Kent. The original *Superman* film was incredibly influential, and John Williams’ score is unforgettable. While not flawless – and despite the contributions of Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, and those who mispronounce ‘Krypton’ – the movie would be significantly improved by cutting the first 45 minutes. By 1978, most people already knew Superman’s origin story. However, once Reeve appears, his brilliant portrayal of both the heroic Superman and the awkward Clark Kent truly makes the film take off.

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2025-09-24 20:58