Superhero movies are known to hide plot details and Easter eggs in plain sight. These small details can sometimes lead to big revelations later. And it looks like James Gunn, who is already popular for such detailing, lives up to his reputation in his upcoming Superman movie.
David Corenswet starrer Superman is already creating a buzz as fans will be seeing a Superman movie after about a decade since Man of Steel. However, a hidden detail has recently boosted this buzz, which could potentially act as a spoiler for an iconic DC villain.
Superman‘s Daily Planet headline potentially teases a major DC villain
James Gunn is carrying the responsibility of a lot of expectations, as Superman will be the first live-action movie of the DCU that will set a foundation for its future. The movie will show how Clark Kent deals with his human upbringing, alien heritage, and superhero expectations.
However, a hero is as good as its villain, and so far the only formidable villain confirmed for David Corenswet‘s Superman is Nicholas Hoult‘s Lex Luthor. But it seems like fans have spotted one more subtle detail that might be teasing another villain.
The recent teaser trailer showed a scene where a guard is seen holding a Daily Planet newspaper and its headline reads, “Hammer of Boravia Creates Havoc Downtown.” What’s interesting is that the picture under the headline looks much like Gorilla Grodd.
Grodd was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, and it first appeared as a villain of The Flash in The Flash #106 in 1959. Grodd was initially just another silverback gorilla until he became a test subject for S.T.A.R. Labs, where he got his potential through experiments.
Grodd achieved his powers after getting exposed to a mysterious meteorite’s radiation. His abilities include super strength, super intelligence, and enhanced durability. Apart from this, he possesses the ability of mind control and thought sensing, and can even transfer his consciousness to others.
Grodd’s powers have evolved over the years with each of his comic book and on-screen adaptations. One of his disturbing abilities is to absorb knowledge by consuming others’ brains. He has even killed his own father in comics to claim power in Gorilla City, and this ruthlessness combined with his abilities makes him a formidable villain.
Gorilla Grodd’s presence in DCU
It is still not confirmed whether Gorilla Grodd will be appearing in Superman. However, his DCU debut is already done in the recent episode of Creature Commandos, where he appears in a dark vision of the future.
In the Creature Commandos episode Chasing Squirrels, Circe’s cursed vision is shown where Princess Illana Rostovic is seen along with Gorilla Grodd, who is commanding an army of mind-controlled Knights as they decimate the United States. Moreover, what looks more chilling is the scene where Superman is shown dead along with other superheroes.
Grodd has proven to be a strong villain against many superheroes, especially The Flash. He has appeared in a few seasons of CW’s The Flash and his animated appearances came in shows like Batman: The Brave and the Bold where he was the leader of an organization named G.A.S.P. (Gorillas and Apes Seizing Power).
Although Superman might seem way superior to Grodd, it is well known that the Man of Steel is vulnerable to mind control and mental attacks. Moreover, Gorilla Grodd has fought with the Justice League and even gone toe-to-toe against Superman, which makes him one of the strongest DC villains.
Creature Commandos is now streaming on Max.
Superman will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hidden villain Easter egg fans spotted in the Superman teaser?
In a scene where a guard holds a Daily Planet newspaper, fans noticed that the image beneath the headline resembles Gorilla Grodd, a classic DC villain. The article frames this as a fan-spotted Easter egg and theory rather than a confirmed appearance. The newspaper headline itself reads ‘Hammer of Boravia Creates Havoc Downtown.’
Is Gorilla Grodd confirmed to appear in James Gunn’s Superman?
No. The article notes it is not confirmed whether Gorilla Grodd will appear in the film, and the Grodd link is fan speculation based on the teaser’s newspaper image. The only confirmed villain so far is Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. Grodd has, however, already made his DCU debut in the animated series Creature Commandos, appearing in a dark vision of the future.
Who stars in Superman and when did it release?
Superman is directed by James Gunn for DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures, with David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film was scheduled to release in theaters on July 11, 2025. For the full confirmed cast, refer to official DC Studios announcements.
