10 Great Superman Villains From The Comics James Gunn Should Use In ‘Superman 2’

James Gunn’s Superman (2025) gave us a fresh take on the Man of Steel, but every great hero is only as good as the villain standing in his way. And let’s be honest, Superman has one of the most underused rogue galleries in superhero movies. We’ve been stuck with Lex Luthor and General Zod for years while the rest of his villains are just sitting there, waiting for their big-screen debut. If Gunn really wants to shake things up in Superman 2, here’s who should be getting the call.

1. General Sam Lane

General Sam Lane, Lois Lane’s father, has zero love for meta-humans and absolutely despises Superman. While he’s not a full-blown villain, he could definitely be a problem. His “the ends justify the means” mentality could push him to team up with an actual villain, like Lex Luthor or even Metallo. Imagine the family drama. Lois stuck between Clark and her dad? That’s the emotional tension Gunn loves to play with. A bitter father-in-law versus Superman storyline could be just as engaging as another city-leveling fight.

2. Metallo

Speaking of Metallo, this kryptonite-powered cyborg needs his moment on screen too. John Corben’s origin has shifted across comics. Sometimes he’s a soldier under General Lane’s command, sometimes a thief, and sometimes a journalist. Still, the core idea stays the same: he’s Superman’s ultimate physical threat. With a kryptonite heart, he’s basically walking, talking Superman kryptonite. Metallo could be the muscle while someone like Lex or Lane pulls the strings. Whether Gunn uses him as the main villain or just a pawn, Metallo’s presence almost guarantees a brutal, one-on-one fight.

3. Lex Luthor (Again)

Fans are already obsessed with Nicolas Hoult’s Lex, with some calling him the best live-action version yet. If Gunn’s listening to the fans, and he usually does, Lex will be back. This time, though, we need more than verbal sparring. Give Lex the green and purple power suit and let him throw hands with Superman. Watching Clark go from city savior to brawling with a tech-armored genius could give us one of the most memorable Superman movie fights ever.

4. Mongul

Superman’s toughest brawls aren’t always on Earth. Mongul, the tyrannical warlord, could push Gunn’s sequel into galactic territory. In modern comics, Mongul is only slightly weaker than Superman, which means their fights are pure destruction. His Warworld arena would be a wild setting, even if only briefly used (nobody wants endless comparisons to Thor: Ragnarok).

For comic fans, the real prize would be a nod to The Man Who Has Everything storyline. Mongul’s use of the Black Mercy, a hallucinogenic alien plant that traps its victims in a dream world where they get their deepest desires, could give us a gut-punching emotional beat. Superman trapped in a fantasy life with a family on Krypton? That would work really well.

And if Gunn wants to expand the DCU, throwing in Hal Jordan to help Superman fight Mongul would be an easy win, too.

5. Brainiac

This is the big one fans have been begging for. Brainiac isn’t just a physical threat, of course. He’s an existential one. Geoff Johns’ Brainiac storyline in Action Comics is perfect film material, especially since it involves Supergirl. Having Kara join Clark in a battle against a cold, calculating alien AI would feel fresh after decades of Earth-bound threats. Lex Luthor could also play a role, aligning himself with Brainiac for power and knowledge, only to get double-crossed.

With Brainiac on screen you’re getting bottled cities, alien tech, and a villain that pushes Superman mentally and emotionally.

6. Manchester Black

Gunn has already shown he loves morally complex characters, which is why Manchester Black feels tailor-made for him. The leader of The Elite, Manchester Black is a telepathic and telekinetic character who believes in punishing criminals permanently, which is something Superman can never accept.

The animated film Superman vs. The Elite already showed how great this story can be, but imagine Gunn directing a showdown between Superman’s hopeful ideals and Manchester Black’s brutal version of justice. The mind games alone would be incredible on screen, and Black’s powers would look amazing in live action.

7. Parasite

If Gunn wants to lower the stakes for a sequel, and avoid repeating Snyder’s mistake of going too big, too fast, Parasite is the perfect choice. Rudy Jones’ version can temporarily absorb life energy, powers, and even knowledge. That makes him a real threat without turning the movie into another “world-ending” spectacle.

Parasite wouldn’t just be a punching bag either. A villain who can mimic Superman’s powers opens the door to clever fight choreography. Plus, Gunn could explore how Clark deals with being temporarily powerless against someone using his own abilities.

8. Ulysses

One of the newer additions to Superman’s rogues gallery, Ulysses (Neil Quinn) was created by Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr. in Men of Tomorrow. His backstory mirrors Superman’s: His parents thought Earth was doomed and sent him to the fourth dimension, where he gained powers. He and Superman start as friends but eventually clash over their opposing views of humanity.

This would work perfectly for Gunn’s character-driven storytelling. The friendship-turned-rivalry could ground the story emotionally while giving audiences a fresh villain. Exploring Ulysses’ fourth-dimension homeworld would also expand Superman’s universe without overwhelming casual viewers.

9. Vandal Savage

Vandal Savage isn’t Superman’s primary villain, but his presence in the DC Universe is massive. An immortal who manipulates world events, Savage has the kind of long-term villain potential the DCU needs. His comic book origin even connects to Krypton. In Superman #50, we learn Superman’s ancestors accidentally caused his creation when they deflected a comet toward Earth, turning a Neanderthal into Savage.

That connection alone makes him a great pick for Gunn’s sequel. Savage’s resentment of Superman, because Clark serves humanity instead of ruling it, sets up a philosophical clash perfect for Gunn’s writing. Toss in guest appearances from heroes like The Flash or Green Lantern, and you’ve got a story that expands the DCU while keeping Superman at its heart.

10. Darkseid

Let’s be honest, this one’s a long shot. Zack Snyder teased Darkseid in Batman v Superman and Justice League, and those films’ messy reception probably scared Warner Bros. away from using him anytime soon. Still, fans can dream. A proper Darkseid versus Superman showdown would need serious setup—maybe even a full Justice League storyline first. But if Gunn ever gets there, it could be the definitive Superman battle.

James Gunn has already proven he’s not afraid to take risks with lesser-known characters, so the odds of seeing fresh villains in Superman 2 are high. Whether it’s the emotional weight of a Sam Lane storyline, the brutal fights against Metallo or Mongul, or the fan-demanded arrival of Brainiac, the next chapter for Superman has endless potential.