The death of Ultraman in Superman marks a crucial moment in the DC Universe (DCU), one that not only changes the fate of the character but also sets up the potential for four iconic villains to emerge in future projects.
As we explore the implications of Ultraman’s apparent death, we see how this twist opens the door for future villains, possibly transforming Ultraman into a version of himself even more dangerous than before.
Ultraman’s Death and Possible Return
Ultraman’s death in Superman raises several intriguing possibilities for the DCU. In the movie, Superman defeats the Engineer and unmasks Ultraman, who is revealed to be a clone of Superman, created by Lex Luthor using Superman’s genetic material. Although Superman seemingly kills Ultraman by throwing him into a black hole, the character’s fate is left ambiguous.
The concept of Ultraman surviving his journey through the black hole suggests that he could return in future films, potentially even more powerful than before.
James Gunn’s Superman introduces a unique take on Ultraman, drawing inspiration from the comics while offering an original spin. In the comics, Ultraman is an evil version of Superman from an alternate universe.
However, the DCU’s Ultraman could evolve into a more accurate representation of the comic book villain. This version of Ultraman could emerge from the black hole and find his place in Earth-Three, a universe populated by villainous versions of iconic superheroes.
This opens the possibility for an eventual face-off between the DCU’s Justice League and the Crime Syndicate, a group led by Ultraman. Though the concept of alternate universes might be too early for the DCU, the high-concept ideas presented in Superman suggest that we may see these multiversal storylines come into play as the DCU expands.
Ultraman Could Evolve Into Cyborg Superman
Another fascinating possibility for Ultraman’s future in the DCU is his transformation into Cyborg Superman, a character from the comics who has appeared only once in live-action.
In the comics, Hank Henshaw, an astronaut who blames Superman for his crew’s death, becomes Cyborg Superman after transferring his consciousness into a cybernetic body that mirrors Superman’s.
In the DCU, Ultraman’s body could be severely damaged after his passage through the black hole. If he survives, an alternate version of Lex Luthor or a mysterious villain could rebuild Ultraman, giving him a new, cyborg-like form. This version of Ultraman might resent Superman for his defeat and aim to replace him, possibly even attempting to integrate his powers with cybernetic technology to become an even more formidable threat.
If Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor plays a role in Ultraman’s transformation, it’s likely that he would seek revenge on Superman by turning his clone into something much more dangerous. Luthor’s obsession with Superman and his desire for ultimate power could provide the perfect motivation for upgrading Ultraman into a version that mirrors Superman’s appearance while being far more menacing.
Ultraman’s Transformation Into Superboy Prime
Ultraman’s journey could also see him evolve into Superboy Prime, one of the most dangerous and emotionally unstable characters in the DC Universe. Superboy Prime, who comes from an alternate universe where his world was destroyed, becomes obsessed with restoring what he views as the perfect timeline.
His power is nearly limitless, and his lack of emotional restraint makes him more dangerous than even the strongest Kryptonians, like General Zod.
In the DCU, Ultraman could travel to a new universe, becoming even more radicalized and disillusioned with the DCU’s heroes.
Similar to Superboy Prime, Ultraman could see Superman and his allies as flawed and unworthy of their power. This twisted sense of entitlement could drive Ultraman to become a force that challenges the very foundation of the DCU, creating a multiversal threat that could push the heroes to their limits.
Ultraman’s evolution into Superboy Prime could also serve as a critique of toxic fan entitlement and nostalgia, mirroring how the character’s anger towards his reality turns him into a villain.
Much like Superboy Prime’s disdain for the multiverse and his idealized version of it, DC’s Ultraman could become a symbol of dissatisfaction with the current status quo of the superhero world.
Ultraman Could End Up in Bizarro World
Another fascinating possibility is that Ultraman’s fate leads him to Bizarro World. In the comics, Bizarro is a flawed, opposite version of Superman, created through artificial means. Although Superman doesn’t explicitly mention Bizarro, the movie sets the stage for his potential transformation.
The DCU’s Ultraman, much like Bizarro, is a clone of Superman with limited intelligence, created as a living weapon by Lex Luthor.
The black hole that Ultraman is thrown into could lead him to Bizarro World, where he could eventually become a more permanent resident. In the comics, Bizarro’s world is a cube-shaped dimension known as “Htrae,” where he leads an army of twisted versions of Superman.
This connection to Bizarro could bring a more lighthearted, yet equally chaotic, aspect to the DCU’s villain roster. If Ultraman ends up on Bizarro World, his eventual return to the main DCU could involve a battle against Superman, setting up an epic rematch between the two.
