SUPERMAN: 7 Classic Villains We Want To See If DC Studios And James Gunn Make A Sequel

SUPERMAN: 7 Classic Villains We Want To See If DC Studios And James Gunn Make A Sequel

Superman has been a super-hit for DC Studios, and if (when?) filmmaker James Gunn shoots a sequel, these are the villains we'd like him to consider for the Man of Tomorrow's next foe. Check them out...

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Jul 31, 2025 12:07 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has strongly hinted that the next Superman movie won't be a straightforward sequel, but one surely has to happen eventually. The Man of Steel is worthy of more solo outings and has a large rogues' gallery of villains to face. 

There are likely more stories to tell with Lex Luthor. However, looking beyond that familiar big bad for a moment, the comics provide ample opportunities to pit the DCU's Man of Tomorrow against all manner of new and unusual threats. 

Some he's encountered on the screen before, of course, but many have yet to be done justice in a way that's satisfied fans (especially as they've been relegated to the small screen). Crucially, each of these characters would be a logical next step for this franchise after what we saw in Superman...because leaping straight to Doomsday, for example, makes no sense.

You can check out our top villain picks for a possible Superman 2 by clicking the "Next"/"View List" buttons below. 
 

7. Metallo

Metallo-Justice-001

A Superman villain who utilises the power of Kryptonite, John Corben was given a heart made from the deadly remains of the Man of Steel's home planet to save his life after being mortally injured (a recent version of the character volunteered for the procedure).

Metallo has always utilised both that and cybernetic upgrades to take it to Superman when they've clashed. While he's a character who has yet to be given a chance to shine on a grand stage—he's more often than not used as a henchman—the villain is incredibly powerful and one of only a handful of bad guys capable of pushing Superman to his limit.

Gunn could quite easily put a fresh spin on Metallo, portraying him in a way that's vastly more interesting (for starters, just think of the body horror possibilities...) than the robot-like goons we've seen on television in recent years. Still, if he's destined to be little more than a secondary foe, he might be Lex Luthor's next experiment. 
 

6. Mongul

Action-Comics-Vol-1-1040-Textless-copy

His name may not be as recognisable as some of the other villains listed here, but make no mistake about it, Mongul is a major threat to both Superman and the larger DCU. Exiled from the planet he conquered, the villain later set his sights on Earth, and it was that which led to him coming to blows with the Man of Steel.

Unfortunately for Superman, Mongul is every bit as powerful as he is, not to mention cunning and ruthless. That became evident when he destroyed Coast City (the home of Hal Jordan/Green Lantern), and he stands out as perhaps the most sadistic villain here as a result.

If Gunn wants to pit the Man of Tomorrow against a world-ending threat, then who better than a big bad who once attempted to destroy the sun? He'd make a nice change of pace from some of the more recognisable names and would likely be a CG character similar to Thanos. 
 

5. Cyborg Superman

Cyborg-Superman-copy

Following the apparent death of Superman, four doppelgängers arrived, all claiming to be the real deal. However, the one imposter who managed to fool everyone was Cyborg Superman.

Secretly the deranged Hank Henshaw, he had been transformed years earlier during a space flight gone wrong and blamed his own mistakes on the Man of Steel, hence why he attempted to replace him. It was later revealed that the Cyborg had masterminded Mongul's devastating attack on Coast City, making him a solid candidate for a secondary villain. 

Like many DC Comics characters, he's been reinvented in recent years, and those ideas could also come into play in the DCU. The character would be well-suited to a sequel, particularly if he ends up being the next evolution of the Ultraman clone. Alternatively, there's always...
 

4. Bizarro

Bizarro-Header-Cropped-copy

Putting aside the character's bizarre (no pun intended) origin story, this Superman clone who speaks in opposites has been a major problem for the Man of Steel for decades now. Portrayed both as fiercely intelligent and hilariously stupid, any version of Bizarro is a threat to Superman because they obviously share the same powers.

Well, sort of. Bizarro has freeze vision instead of heat vision, for example, but he's capable of causing the mass destruction Superman would never dream of doing. His mind is in fact so twisted that he destroyed his home, Bizarro World, on purpose - killing the billions who lived there - simply because Superman's home of Krypton was destroyed by accident.

This is one of those seemingly goofy comic book villains that Gunn could do something really memorable with. If he does intend to revisit Ultraman, then heading down the Bizarro route when he returns from that black hole is an enticing prospect, especially if the villain creates his own Bizarro world, similar to All-Star Superman
 

3. Parasite

Superman-Vol-3-23-4-Parasite-Textless-copy

A villain with a few different origin stories, the basic premise of Parasite is always the same; he's exposed to strange, radioactive materials and ends up becoming this vampiric monster as a result. He needs to feed on energy to live, and as he can drain the life energy from others, that obviously makes Superman the perfect target to help Parasite keep going.

As well as being a dangerous physical threat, Parasite's touch also means he saps the memories of his victims, so he's one of only a small handful of villains to have learned Superman's secret identity. It's lucky for Clark Kent, then, that Parasite doesn't really care!

This baddie has been showcased on television on more than one occasion, but we've yet to really see him unleashed as the hulking beast you see above. With a movie budget and a fresh interpretation from Gunn, Parasite could soon rank among the iconic superhero's greatest foes. 
 

2. Toyman

Toyman-A

While he may have initially been introduced as a comedic character (something which stuck with him for years), Toyman has since shown himself to be one of Superman's most deadly foes.

Sure, he may spend his time building toys which are more homicidal than huggable, but Toyman has also put together vast mechanical constructs with the kind of power which has ended up testing even the Man of Steel's endurance. Completely deranged, Winslow Schott has also created a number of robotic doppelgängers and once killed Supergirl's mother. 

We know Gunn loves to pick pretty obscure characters from the comics and bring them to the screen, but Toyman would be a major challenge to pull off. He'd need to be overhauled and reimagined if we're to buy him as a credible threat to Supes, and we'd enjoy seeing a new spin on him...especially if Gunn can figure out how to make him a demented, twisted threat to the Kryptonian. 
 

1. Brainiac

Superman-Vol-3-23-2-Brainiac-Textless-copy

While Brainiac has attacked Earth's heroes enough to be considered a Justice League villain, his history with Superman goes as far back as Krypton. One of the most intelligent beings in the universe, the nearly indestructible villain collects cities from the planets he destroys and then shrinks them to keep on his ship.

Superman has had to stop Brainiac from doing the same to Metropolis again and again over the years. However, their rivalry became really personal when the Man of Steel learned that he had the Kryptonian city Kandor within his possession, only to lose his home all over again thanks to this monstrous foe. 

Fans are desperate to see Brainiac done right on screen, and the comic books have shown us that there are countless ways to pull him off. Another world-ending threat, we can't think of anyone better to push Superman to his limits and further establish the Man of Tomorrow as the world's greatest hero when he eventually saves the day.
 

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Nomis929
Nomis929 - 7/31/2025, 12:19 PM
Knowing James Gunn and his sense of "humor" the main villian will be some CGI animated version of Mister Mxyzptlk so he can show off some juvenille antics in the movie.

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And while I really don't have a problem with the character, in the hands of James Gun he will be more than a nuisance but insufferable.
mountainman
mountainman - 7/31/2025, 12:22 PM
@Nomis929 - There were some easter eggs that could lead to Mxyzptlk appearing in the future. I don’t think he’d be a lead villain though, at least I hope not. And I’ve always found him annoying so Gunn’s writing would probably be on brand for the character.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 7/31/2025, 12:32 PM
@mountainman - Outside of the obvious mainsstream villians for a sequel(Brainiac, Parasite, Bizzaro..) I wouldn't mind MAGOG as the main villian.

Maybe have a 'Kingdom Come' theme in the movie of Superman's more tradiitonal way of fightintg crime in juxtaposition to Magog's more reckles maner as the moral center.

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dragon316
dragon316 - 7/31/2025, 4:27 PM
@Nomis929 - can’t be any worse to comedy in thor 3&4
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 8/1/2025, 1:19 AM
@dragon316 - You don't haver to sell me... I hated didn't like either of those movies.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 7/31/2025, 12:19 PM
Just put David Zaslav there AND the IDF
mountainman
mountainman - 7/31/2025, 12:24 PM
Best options:
1) Brianiac
2) Mongul
3) See #1 and #2
RolandD
RolandD - 7/31/2025, 10:57 PM
@mountainman - 1, 2, and 3 are definitely my choices too, whether using the article’s list or not.
RolandD
RolandD - 7/31/2025, 10:59 PM
@mountainman - Sorry, I meant your 1 ,2 and 3.
JacobsLadder
JacobsLadder - 7/31/2025, 12:25 PM
Brainiac seems tailor made for this time. Smallville pulled the character off for the most part. The actor was great.
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 7/31/2025, 12:32 PM
"If DC Studios And James Gunn Make A Sequel"

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ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 7/31/2025, 12:37 PM
A movie with Mongul and Warworld being the main threat would be awesome.
RockReigns
RockReigns - 7/31/2025, 12:40 PM
@JoshWilding

Great timing. James Gunn just confirmed he’s writing the sequel.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 7/31/2025, 12:53 PM
Any of these would be decent choices
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 7/31/2025, 1:01 PM
I could see James Gunn having fun with using Bizzaro. His style of humor would work well with this character. Dave Bautista
would work for this role.
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 7/31/2025, 1:01 PM
The villain is James Gunn himself
TheDpool
TheDpool - 7/31/2025, 1:03 PM
With this new potentially villainous take on kryptonians, Braniac could be portrayed as somewhat heroic but mislead.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 7/31/2025, 1:08 PM
Say what you will about that Krypton series (I liked wher it was heading) but that Brainiac was perfect. Do Brainiac like that in the sequel!
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/31/2025, 1:18 PM
Honestly i can see Gunn doing well with a majority of these villains (if he even does a direct sequel to Superman) such as Toyman , Brainiac , Parasite & Metallo…

I can see him making Parasite & Metallo really gross in terms of the body horror and creepy , the latter of which could be done with Brainiac & Toyman aswell especially if the second one is based off of his DCAU incarnation imo.

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Anyway i have no interest in seeing Cyborg Superman , Mongul or another clone in Bizarro as of now.
Shivermetimbers
Shivermetimbers - 7/31/2025, 1:22 PM
That drawing of parasite is awesome. Looks like Doug Manke's work possibly.
Huskers
Huskers - 7/31/2025, 1:23 PM
I think Luthor will eventually lead the Legion of Doom in this universe, and that’s what they’re going to build to for the Justice League’s big bad. I personally would much rather see that than taking another shot at Darkseid. Kind of tired of seeing him.
xKingLobox
xKingLobox - 7/31/2025, 1:24 PM
If you introduce Mongul - then that may lead to Darkseid or Cyborg Superman or even the Eradicator. Possibly tied into via Greenlantern Corp.

No matter what they do - they have to elevate him as far as his powerset. He has to be seen as the "SUPERMAN" where there are no stakes and then make them with these other powerful beings. If anything that was what was missed in the movie. It took for granted that everyone knows who/what Superman is and flipped it on it's head. For the Next film we need the montage or foundation of badassery
JobinJ
JobinJ - 7/31/2025, 1:39 PM
@xKingLobox - yeah I felt the same way. I didn’t see him as Superman. Partly because he was getting his butt kicked half the movie and seemed very weak.
woderwick
woderwick - 7/31/2025, 1:24 PM
do the eradicator and the original hank henshaw villain so they can set up a reign of the supermen movie trilogy, that would make bank
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/31/2025, 4:02 PM
@woderwick - have always wanted to see that live
Forthas
Forthas - 7/31/2025, 1:26 PM
Top DCU villains thus far...

1) Jor-El
2) Lex Luthor
3) The Engineer
4) Ultra Man
5) Vasil Ghurkos
6) Circe
7) Amanda Waller
8) The Butterflies
9) Clayface
10 Frankenstein's Monster
JobinJ
JobinJ - 7/31/2025, 1:33 PM
Who is “we”

I can’t see them making any villain and actual threat to life in this goofy universe. You suspend all belief so much that you don’t think anyone’s going to actually get hurt.

Just like the idiot people standing around watching a giant monster destroy the city in Superman. They weren’t even running. They were just standing there like morons 50 feet away waiting to get crushed. Really took me out of the moment and suspended all fear for people getting hurt or danger.
KamenRider
KamenRider - 7/31/2025, 3:05 PM
@JobinJ - all of the crown scenes in this film took me out of it. Everything seemed so small and it very much felt like a back lot full of tv extras.
JobinJ
JobinJ - 7/31/2025, 3:53 PM
@KamenRider - yup
JobinJ
JobinJ - 7/31/2025, 1:42 PM
Luther executed a man in cold blood right in front of Superman. He should’ve lasered Luther’s head off. So the next time Luther gets loose and hurts more people it’s solely Superman’s fault.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/31/2025, 4:00 PM
@JobinJ - well, Supes has before in Parallel dimensions of the comics and in the Superboy TV series.
RolandD
RolandD - 7/31/2025, 11:06 PM
@JobinJ - Clearly you have no understanding of the chat.Check out The Punisher one-shot. That sounds more your speed.
xstryker
xstryker - 7/31/2025, 1:55 PM
Yeah, and “Batman’s responsible for all the people his villains kill because he doesn’t kill them,” and so on and so forth. No thanks, pal, these characters have codes that are part of their identity, part of what makes them work. If you don’t like superheroes with “no kill” codes of behavior, there are other ones out there you can get invested in instead.
xstryker
xstryker - 7/31/2025, 2:02 PM
We need Braniac to be the main villain of the next movie. Period. There’s been 7 Superman movies and no Braniac. Once we get a Superman vs Braniac movie, we can think about who else we’d like to see.
TheJester187
TheJester187 - 7/31/2025, 2:30 PM
Mongul dammit!
xstryker
xstryker - 7/31/2025, 2:31 PM
For comparison, since this list contains 7 villains, here are the main villains in the 7 films so far:
Superman (1978): Lex Luthor
Superman 2: General Zod
Superman 3: Nothing from the comics.
Superman 4: A guy who’s not from the comics (plus Lex Luthor).
Superman Returns: Lex Luthor
Man of Steel: General Zod
Superman (2025): An “Ultraman” who is more of a Bizarro, but without any direct nods to either character, and Lex Luthor.

Note: I liked Superman 2025 very much, I can’t fault a reboot for doing a primarily Lex-based story. But please, Gunn, we don’t need another General Zod reboot (unless it’s as a secondary character with Braniac as the main villain). Give us Braniac!
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 7/31/2025, 2:36 PM
@xstryker - "But please, Gunn, we don’t need another General Zod reboot ...."

I am always in high demand, your feelings be damned.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/31/2025, 3:59 PM
@xstryker - technically Superman 3 kinda did a Bizzaro fight in the junkyard and Superman 4 had deleted scenes of a really ritarded Nuclearman/Bizzaro character Lex failed on his first cloaning attempt.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 7/31/2025, 4:52 PM
@GeneralZod -

In Zod we trust.

BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 7/31/2025, 2:47 PM
Would love a Ten minute opening sequence involving Superman vs. Toy man
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