Spoilers for Superman (2025) are below!

Summary

Ultraman's true identity hints at the potential debut of a fan-favorite character in the DCU.
Conner Kent/Superboy is a beloved comic book character ready for the big screen.
Thanks to James Gunn's Superman movie, Conner's addition to the DCU could be an easy feat.

Superman introduced numerous characters into the DCU, and the true identity of Ultraman may have laid the groundwork for another fan-favorite character to make their debut. Superman is the first feature film entry in the new DCU, giving its flagship hero a story to establish the franchise and other characters in the world it is creating. However, it also ensured several characters were established for fans and their larger DCU plans.

Characters like Guy Gardner, Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl help fill in some other notable names that will populate the DCU. James Gunn has also shared announcements for a Clayface movie, a Booster Gold Series, and a Supergirl movie due out next year. However, Gunn may have also laid the groundwork to ensure that another beloved character can easily appear in upcoming DCU projects after Superman.

The Superman Robots tending to an injured Superman in James Gunn's Superman

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By Timothy McClelland

Who Was Ultraman In James Gunn’s Superman?

Ultraman was an existing character at the start of the new Superman movie, acting as a silent enforcer for Lex Luthor. His initial identity is unknown, leaving fans to speculate, as Ultraman is a character in DC Comics. The comic book version of Ultraman is Superman from an alternate Earth, whose temperament is more evil than that of his benevolent counterpart. However, Superman embraces a different identity for the DCU's Ultraman.

Early in the film, Ultraman secures entry to the Fortress of Solitude, which should only open for Superman and Kryptonian DNA, prompting audience bewilderment. Still, when Ultraman is revealed to have further Superman-like powers, his identity makes more sense. Lex made a clone of Superman, which he manipulated to create Ultraman. The clone is a mindless, obedient henchman, allowing Lex to wield the power of Superman through a controlled clone. Superman still bests the clone in a fight toward the film's finale, but the implications surrounding him are bigger than many casual viewers may realize.

Ultraman's Identity Could Point Toward The DCU's Debut Of Superboy

Ultraman, being a clone made by Lex Luthor, gives many DC Comics fans all the tease they need to understand where this could point the universe. One of the most famous clones in DC Comics is Superboy, aka Conner Kent. The most commonly accepted origin for Conner Kent is that he is a clone of Superman whose DNA was mixed with that of Lex Luthor, creating the complicated figure.

Superboy has found success outside of Superman's shadow, as his cloning was initially meant to be a replacement following the Death of Superman storyline, at least for a time. It is also common knowledge that Conner is a clone, though he does assume the role of Superman's cousin, allowing him to stand on his own, even if it causes that occasional existential crisis. Still, the character has various iterations, each with small variations to his lore.

Conner has appeared in other live-action DC projects, such as Smallville and Titans, showing that he can thrive outside the pages of comics and animated shows like Young Justice. However, depending on how the franchise approaches the character, introducing him to the DCU could give the character his first live-action film appearance.

Did Superman's Lex Luthor Create Conner Kent?

Lex Luthor's goal in Superman is to take down the hero using his intelligence. While there are several other aspects at play, Lex admits that it was all to stop Superman, including making a clone of him that becomes Ultraman. Given Lex's ego and the fact that trial and error is likely part of the process, it is possible that Conner already exists in the DCU. In the comics, Conner wasn't the first clone with mixed DNA, meaning Ultraman may not be the last clone the DCU sees.

Superman shows that Lex has infrastructure in place, such as his pocket universe prison and research lab, proving that he has plenty still hidden. While he admits to cloning Superman, his cloning lab is never shown, meaning it could be rife with more secrets, like the existence of Conner. Therefore, even if the DCU doesn't see Conner Kent for some time, all the elements to allow him to appear have already been introduced. The franchise doesn't need to bring the character to the DCU, but past appearances in shows and comics have shown Conner's Superboy as a recurring bright spot for many fans, meaning his presence is likely a benefit.

While the future of the DCU holds numerous surprises for fans, many of those could come from the characters they choose to include. Superman impressed fans with Mr. Terrific, Krypto, and Guy Gardner, showing how these characters can thrive with new audiences. This presents the perfect opportunity for Conner Kent/Superboy to exist in the DCU following Superman's success.

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