The mystery monster seen in James Gunn’sSupermantrailer might have a more familiar origin than it seems. AsSuperman’s first trailer suggests, theDCUis filled with all kinds of heroes, anti-heroes, villains, and creatures of all kinds by the time David Corenswet’s Superman stars in his own solo movie. Going bythe confirmed projects in the DCU’s Gods and Monsters chapter, the DCU is already inhabited by Kryptonians, Amazons, Green Lanterns, mythological figures, robots, reanimated corpses, and mutated hybrids, among other characters.
James Gunn’sSupermanwill hit the ground running, asthe firstSupermantrailer reveals multiple DC characterswith wildly different origins and powersets who will likely receive their own DCU projects in the future. For example,Krypto the Superdog will appear inSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Engineer will probably appear inThe Authority, and Mister Terrific’s superhero team might be the starting point for aJustice League Internationalor aThe Terrificsspinoff movie or show.There are at least twoSupermancharacters whose identity and origin haven’t been revealed, though. Neither the masked villain nor the giant monster attacking Metropolis in theSupermantrailer have been identified yet.
Jimmy Olsen Might Transform Into A Giant Monster In James Gunn’s Superman
Jimmy Olsen Has Transformed Into Several Monsters In The Comics
A giant fire-breathing monster appears in only one brief shot of the firstSupermantrailer. There are no clues as to where this creature came from or whether someone else is controlling it. The Man of Steel has faced his fair share of monsters and giant creatures in the source material, but one of the most remarkable is none other than Superman’s best friend, Jimmy Olsen.In theSuperman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsenseries of Silver Age comics, Jimmy repeatedly transformed into a wide variety of creatures, including a reptile, a porcupine, a werewolf, and even a “Bizarro” Jimmy. Jimmy Olsen’s most destructive transformation, however, is a gigantic turtle-man.
James Gunn’sSupermancould make Jimmy Olsen the subject of a scientific experiment that transforms him into the fire-breathing kaiju seen in the first trailer
In 1961’sSuperman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsenvol 1 #53, Jimmy finds an “enlarging ray” that he uses on a turtle and himself. The device merges both of them, creating a Turtle-Man kaiju that Superman has to stop in order to save the city. While the movie is unlikely to adapt this story, James Gunn’sSupermancould make Jimmy Olsen the subject of a scientific experiment that transforms him into the fire-breathing kaiju seen in the first trailer. Considering how many sci-fi and fantast elementsSupermanalready has, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jimmy suffer a similar experience in the DCU’s first live-action installment.
Superman’s Multiple Villains Make Jimmy Olsen Likely To Be Experimented With
Jimmy Olsen Could Be The Target Of Several DCU Villains
James Gunn’sSupermancould incorporate Jimmy Olsen’s kaiju transformation into its plot by making him a victim of one of Superman’s many antagonists.Lex Luthor, The Engineer, Maxwell Lord, Rick Flag Sr., and the mysterious masked villain could be behind the monster’s attack on Metropolis.Lex Luthor, The Engineer, and Maxwell Lord may possess the necessary technology to transform Jimmy into a kaiju, while Rick Flag Sr.’s experience with the Creature Commandos might have taught him how to weaponize monster DNA.Superman’s mystery villain — who could be Ulysses or Ultraman — could receive a brand-new ability to create metahumans and monsters in the DCU.
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Jimmy Olsen’s ludicrous adventures in DC Comics’Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsenwere often due to his proximity to Superman and his villains. In the DCU, Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen will probably play bigger roles than previous movie versions of Superman’s closest allies, meaning that they’re likely to be targeted by Superman’s enemies more often. In a world where shapeshifting creatures and swamp monsters exist, it wouldn’t be too strange to see genius-level villains like Lex Luthor and the Engineer turn a regular Daily Planet journalist into a 200-ft, fire-breathing kaiju Axolotl just to mess with the Man of Steel.
Why Jimmy Olsen’s Kaiju Transformation Makes Sense In James Gunn’s Superman
Jimmy Olsen’s Giant Monster Tranformation Would Be An Homage To Superman’s Silver Age Comics
While Jimmy’s regular-human nature is his main appeal, his many brushes with death as Superman’s collateral damage are just as important. No live-action, big-screen Superman movie has focused on this part of Jimmy Olsen’s history before, so the DCU could start doing so as soon as James Gunn’sSupermanintroduces him. Unlike previous cinematic versions of the character,Skyler Gisondo’s DCU Jimmy Olsen could have a multi-installment character arc where he goes through as many extraordinary events as Superman himself.
The DCU’s Superman Poster Makes My Biggest Hope For The 2025 Movie Look Even More Likely
The DCU’s new Superman motion poster and teased score are very exciting reveals, making my biggest hope for the 2025 movie even more likely.
James Gunn’sSupermanis also drawing inspiration from different eras of Superman comics. Superman’s first DCU suit alone displays clear nods toKingdom ComeandThe New 52— two eras that may also influenceSuperman’s plot. James Gunn’sSupermanis also expected to reflect narrative and stylistic parallels from famous DC Comics storylines such asAll-Star SupermanandSuperman For All Seasons, which James Gunn has previously acknowledged. With Superman’s Golden Age and Modern Age eras clearly covered, an action scene starring a kaiju Jimmy Olsen ripped straight from the Silver Age comics would suitSuperman’s homage to the Man of Steel’s 87-year history.
