4 Superman Villains That the DCU Can Finally Bring Into Live-Action for the First Time

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Superman has been a comic book staple for almost 90 years, battling a wide range of villains. While some appear only occasionally, others have become strongly linked to the character, and many fans hope to see them adapted for film. The upcoming movie, Man of Tomorrow, a sequel to James Gunn’s Superman, is generating a lot of excitement because it will reportedly feature Brainiac as the main villain. This is particularly thrilling as it sets the stage for a team-up between Superman and Lex Luthor to face this powerful threat.

Look, Brainiac would be amazing, but honestly, there are so many other Superman villains fans like me are desperate to see on the big screen! There’s a whole roster of great bad guys who haven’t gotten their live-action debut yet. I really think the DCU should focus on bringing these four to life next – they’d be incredible!

4) Manchester Black

We know this pick might be a little unfair, as the character has already appeared in live-action on The CW’s Supergirl, played by David Ajala. But his role was so short and underdeveloped that we believe he deserves another chance, and the new DC Universe seems like the perfect place to explore his potential.

Manchester Black is a complex villain, arguably one of DC’s most nuanced. He shares a surface-level goal with Superman – a peaceful, safe world – but their methods couldn’t be more different. Black, leading a team called the Elite, believes in eliminating threats, especially those with superpowers, permanently – there’s no chance for redemption in his view. He also possesses his own powers, adding another layer of intensity, and he criticizes Superman for not fully utilizing his abilities. Essentially a dark mirror to Lex Luthor, Black harbors a strong dislike for Superman and could be a compelling antagonist for the hero, or even the entire Justice League, if introduced into the DC Universe.

3) H’el

James Gunn’s new Superman movie suggests Jor-El had questionable motives for sending his son to Earth. This opens the door for DC to introduce H’el, a comic book villain, in live-action. H’el has a fascinating backstory: he’s an illegal clone created by Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van to continue Krypton’s lineage. Ironically, he was raised to despise clones, unaware that he himself was a clone hybrid.

H’el is a fascinating character – he’s not simply a villain. He clashes with Superman because Superman doubts his past and prioritizes Earth over Krypton. (Plus, H’el tries to kill Superboy, which is a major problem!) While H’el is more complex and relatable than a typical bad guy, bringing him into the DCU would be a great way to build on the stories James Gunn has already started. It would also give us a different Kryptonian villain than the usual General Zod. And a bonus: H’el has connections to Supergirl in the comics, opening up even more possibilities.

2) Imperiex

Now that the DC Universe is introducing Brainiac, fans are hoping to see another major Superman villain brought to life: Imperiex. He’s similar to Marvel’s Galactus, representing the force of destruction and rebirth. Imperiex is a being of pure energy housed in armor, and his goal is to destroy the existing universe and build a better one in its place. He’s already wiped out numerous worlds, including Daxam, Almerac, Kalanor, and Karna, and his arrival on Earth would be a massive threat.

What makes Imperiex so compelling is that he’s such a huge threat, even villains like Brainiac and Darkseid have to team up to stop him. It’s a situation that forces unlikely alliances – even Lex Luthor and Superman have to work together! He’s a truly massive danger, and it would be amazing to see his armor brought to life on screen.

1) Mongul

Out of all of Superman’s enemies, we’re hoping to see Mongul brought to life in the DC Universe more than any other villain. Mongul is a cruel leader who rules the planet Warworld, forcing its people to fight—and even die—in gladiatorial combat purely for his entertainment. What makes him especially disturbing is that many of those under his control have known nothing else, and simply accept this brutal existence, leading to a lack of resistance.

A highly praised Superman storyline featured him leading a revolt against Mongul on Warworld, making Mongul a compelling villain – both a huge cosmic threat and a deeply personal enemy for Superman. Mongul is also incredibly powerful, matching Superman in both strength and intellect, and a fight between them would be spectacular to watch on screen.

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2025-11-20 02:10