DC Studios Just Introduced 6th Iconic Superman Copycat Character

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The initial DCU film under James Gunn’s tenure debuted, introducing a host of new characters to the reimagined comic book world. In addition to key heroes like Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific, there were also numerous antagonists, including the enigmatic Ultraman.

In the realm of DC Comics, there exists an antagonist named Ultraman. However, his portrayal varies between different storylines. In one universe, he’s an evil alternate version of Superman who leads the Crime Syndicate. On the other hand, in the series titled “Superman“, Ultraman is not this same character but rather a clone of Superman, bearing more resemblance to Bizarro than his original counterpart from DC Comics. Despite these differences, they share a common purpose: to pose a formidable threat to the genuine Man of Steel as he protects Earth, with each version of Ultraman serving as a copycat designed to challenge Superman.

On various occasions, movies and television shows have modeled new characters after Superman, DC Comics’ iconic figure, but with a unique twist. Instead of Lex Luthor creating Ultraman as a foe for Superman, these copycat characters appear in their own universe and show notable differences compared to the Man of Steel.

Superman Copycat Characters in Movies & TV

David Dunn (Unbreakable)

M. Night Shyamalan’s acclaimed film, “Unbreakable“, presents the tale of a man who could potentially possess abilities similar to Superman, yet within a realistic setting. In this story, Bruce Willis portrays David Dunn, an ordinary individual who miraculously survives a devastating train crash that claimed the lives of 131 passengers; he is the sole survivor.

In the midst of pondering his survival, an enigmatic individual known as Mr. Glass (played by Samuel L. Jackson) steps forward, disclosing that David possesses extraordinary abilities. This real-life hero is almost unbreakable, boasts superhuman strength, and can perceive insights about people merely by touching them.

Quentin Tarantino, after creating “Reservoir Dogs,” ranked “Unbreakable” among his top films and praised Bruce Willis for delivering his finest performance in it. Moreover, Tarantino shared (through Sky Movies) that the movie revolves around a character who is like a superhero but doesn’t realize it himself – which perfectly describes David Dunn.

Brandan Breyer (Brightburn)

Prior to James Gunn assuming control over the DC Universe at Warner Bros., he had previously directed several smaller movies and acted as a producer to aid other filmmakers in materializing their cinematic visions. One of the films that Gunn produced was the movie titled “Brightburn,” which was helmed by David Yarovesky.

The storyline presents an intriguing twist: Suppose an extraterrestrial infant fell on Earth, but instead of the Kents discovering him and shaping him into a virtuous hero, another couple found him and were bewildered by his emerging powers. This scenario might lead to a Superman devoid of moral compass, essentially a cold-hearted sociopath.

In a different wording: The screenplay for this story was penned by two of James Gunn’s siblings, presenting an alternate universe where Superman transforms into a ruthless serial killer with immense and uncontrolled powers. As he wreaks havoc on the world, this tale serves as a thought-provoking exploration of what would happen if Superman never chose to do good.

John Hancock (Hancock)

John Hancock, much like Superman, is a character that shares some similarities with the last portrayal of Supergirl in the “Superman” film. However, unlike the pristine, law-abiding Superman, Hancock (portrayed by Will Smith) is an unconventional alien superhero on Earth who often finds himself creating more destruction than the villains he aims to thwart, due to his reckless and alcohol-fueled actions.

The film centers around a PR expert named Jason Bateman, who aims to enhance Hancock’s tarnished reputation. Yet, events take an unexpected turn as another extraterrestrial emerges, causing Hancock to understand that he isn’t the only one of his kind and begins to lose his abilities.

Let’s ponder about the scenario if Superman were reckless and disregarded the act of saving lives. This is somewhat similar to the character Brandon from the movie Brightburn, who grew up without parental guidance or moral education. Each morning, John finds himself filled with rage towards the world, unlike Brandon who resorts to mass murder to alleviate his anger.

Homelander (The Boys)

If there’s a character who serves as a polar opposite to the ideals of Superman, it’s Homelander. Originating from the comic book series “The Boys” by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, Homelander is essentially a satirical take on Superman, but with a sinister twist – he’s corrupt and downright wicked.

Unlike Superman, who hails from another planet, Homelander is not an extraterrestrial. Instead, he’s a genetically modified superhero developed in a lab by the corporation Vought-American and granted extraordinary abilities. Vought later fabricated a tale that he was an alien baby dispatched to Earth to serve as its protector once he matured.

Homelander, much like Superman in appearance, boasts comparable powers, making him the strongest superhero globally. Yet, unlike the Man of Steel, Homelander lacks morality, has no qualms about taking lives if provoked, and seemingly disregards the importance of saving others. For fans seeking a darker heroic figure, Homelander serves as an alternative to the traditional Boy Scout image of Superman.

Omni-Man (Invincible)

Homelander from Prime Video is a comical take on Superman with a disguise looking like the Man of Steel. However, there’s another character from Prime Video who isn’t just a copy of Superman but also shares a more similar origin story. Omni-Man is an extraterrestrial sent to Earth, functioning as its protector, and much like Superman, he’s invincible.

In a twist reminiscent of the 2025’s Superman, the Amazon Prime Video series based on Image Comics’ Invincible reveals that Omni-Man was sent from his planet to Earth with a mission – not to be a protector, but to prepare it for an invasion by his own kind. Similar to Kal-El, who was instructed to seize control of the planet using his powers, Omni-Man’s objective was to prepare his race to conquer Earth.

In essence, Omni-Man possesses many abilities similar to Superman, but his true opponent proves to be his son, who bravely defends Earth. Akin to Homelander, Omni-Man offers a chilling glimpse of what Superman might have become if he lacked moral integrity and steadfast principles. It appears that most characters modeled after the Man of Steel serve to depict him without his virtues and firm convictions.

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2025-07-20 02:05