The DCU’s Superman was aided by Zack Snyder thanks to one big character in the film. The ending of 2025’s Superman movie also marked the end of any last hopes for the DCEU’s resurgence. Gone is the DCEU movie timeline, replaced by James Gunn’s new version of the franchise based on DC Comics’ most iconic characters.

Superman‘s many Easter eggs proved as much by teasing several DC heroes that were already part of the DCEU, fully solidifying the former as a different timeline from the latter. However, that is not to say the new film was completely removed from the DCEU’s iteration, with one big villain in Superman holding a significant connection to Zack Snyder.

Superman’s DCU Debut Is A Departure From The DCEU’s Snyderverse

In Many Different Ways

This connection is somewhat ironic, given the sheer differences between the DCU’s Superman and the DCEU’s Snyderverse. The latter is much darker in tone, with Snyder opting for a more grounded take on DC’s world of gods and monsters. This was most evident in Snyder’s depiction of Superman, with the character struggling to stay good in a world that isn’t.

The DCU’s Superman opted for a different route, with the тιтular hero often being a sole paragon of hope, justice, and kindness in a world as cynical as the DCEU’s was. This meant Superman had a much brighter vibe, be that in how it looked or in how its messages were presented. Overall, the two franchises stand at polar opposites of the spectrum.

​​​​​​The DCU’s Superman Still Has A Notable Tie To The DCEU’s Movies

Nonetheless, despite their differences, there is one major tie between Superman and the DCEU’s movies. That tie comes in the form of Ultraman, or, more specifically, the stunt performer for the character in the film. Ultraman is the clone of Kal-El created by Lex Luthor, who was integral to the villain’s plans to destroy Superman.

Albert Valladares was credited as the stunt performer for Ultraman, providing the link between the DCEU and DCU. Valladares is a known collaborator of Zack Snyder after working on Rebel Moon, Army of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, and, of course, Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Now, Valladares is taking that stunt knowledge and performing it in the DCU.

How The DCEU’s Movies Help Ultraman’s Fight Scenes

Valladares Would Already Have Been Familiar With Big-Budget Superhero Action

This connection is cool for bridging the gap between the DCEU and the DCU, but it also simply makes a lot of sense. After all, Valladares worked first-hand with Snyder on BvS and Justice League, meaning he was already familiar with how the swooping, soaring action scenes involving DC’s characters work. For this reason, his inclusion as Ultraman is perfect.

Valladeres will have taken this experience and used it to help translate Ultraman’s superpowered moves on-screen. Given that the Superman vs. Ultraman fight was a big part of Superman‘s climax, this experience will have been invaluable. In this way, Zack Snyder has helped the DCU’s Superman by providing a fantastic stunt performer with the experience needed to translate the Man of Steel’s action scenes.