In the post- Crisis On Infinite Earths continuity, Lex Luthor cloned Superman more than once. While his most successful venture combined his own DNA with Superman’s to create Conner Kent, the first attempt was a failure. In The Man of Steel limited series, Lex Luthor created a clone of Superman that crystallized over time.

Superman movies have always gone with the latter, and James Gunn's new "Superman" is no different. Lex's (Nicholas Hoult) muscle is Ultraman. Yes, the rumors were true, Ultraman does appear in "Superman" as a key villain.