How James Gunn’s Superman Secretly Set Up an Evil Justice League Movie
James Gunn’s Superman has breathed new life into the Man of Steel’s cinematic journey, establishing fresh characters, introducing unexpected twists, and subtly laying the groundwork for bigger stories. While fans are buzzing about Lex Luthor’s future, the Justice League’s formation, and even quirky subplots like Jimmy Olsen’s love life, most missed one bold setup: the origin of the evil Justice League, better known in the comics as the Crime Syndicate.
Who Is Ultraman in DC Comics?
In the comics, Ultraman is an evil version of Superman from Earth-3, a twisted dimension where villains are heroes and vice versa. This dark world features villainous versions of Batman (Owlman), Wonder Woman (Superwoman), and the Flash (Johnny Quick).
Ultraman debuted as a powerful antagonist in classic Justice League tales, but it was Grant Morrison’s JLA: Earth 2 that redefined the character for modern readers, rebooting him and his villainous team, the Crime Syndicate, as formidable multiversal threats.
How James Gunn’s Superman Reimagines Ultraman
In Gunn’s rebooted DCU, Ultraman isn’t a mirror-dimension Superman — he’s a genetic clone created by Lex Luthor himself. While this deviates from comic canon, it adds a grounded, sci-fi edge to the story.
In the movie, Ultraman (called the Hammer of Boravia) is the only being who matches Superman in power and brutality. But instead of killing him, Superman hurls his clone into a man-made black hole, a move that seems final — until you look closer.
This black hole behaves oddly. Superman escapes its pull using super breath, and it’s strongly implied that this isn’t a natural black hole but a Luthor-made anomaly. That opens the door for a major twist: What if the black hole isn’t an end, but a portal to another dimension?
Is an Earth-3 Movie on the Horizon?
If Ultraman survived and ended up in a parallel universe — say, Earth-3 — he could easily rise to power and unite other dark reflections of the Justice League under his command. That’s exactly what the Crime Syndicate is: a team of evil counterparts to the Justice League.
This future setup could mirror Grant Morrison’s Earth 2, where the kind-hearted Lex Luthor of Earth-3 travels to Earth-1 seeking help against his world’s corrupted heroes. That means Nicholas Hoult — who plays Lex in Gunn’s Superman — could take on a dual role, portraying both a tyrant and a noble savior.
This storyline would allow DC Studios to bring audiences a cinematic battle between two Justice Leagues — one heroic, the other unhinged.
Why an Evil Justice League Movie Would Work
Remember the airport fight in Captain America: Civil War? Imagine that intensity multiplied by ten. A full-scale battle between Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash vs. their evil counterparts would give the DCU its “Endgame moment” — but darker, edgier, and packed with multiverse chaos.
But it’s not just about action. Gunn’s real strength lies in character work and emotional stakes. Under his direction (or that of a trusted director), a Crime Syndicate movie could balance thrilling spectacle with sharp storytelling and emotional weight.
Final Thoughts
Ultraman’s quiet exit through a black hole may have looked like a clean wrap-up — but it’s likely the beginning of something much bigger. With Lex Luthor’s ambitions and the multiverse in play, James Gunn may already be charting the DCU’s course toward a bold, villain-filled sequel where Superman’s team faces their evil reflections.
If that happens, the DCU could finally give fans something Marvel hasn’t: a true war between worlds.
