Will James Gunn Finally Bring Brainiac to the Big Screen?

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In the first Superman movie set in the DC Universe, filmmaker James Gunn has decided to feature Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult) as the main antagonist. Other villains such as Angela Spica/The Engineer are also present, but it’s Lex Luthor who takes center stage as the primary enemy of the story. This decision mirrors the classic style that Gunn is aiming for in Superman. Instead of introducing antagonists from later Superman comic book stories like Doomsday, Gunn is focusing on Superman’s most well-known adversary, Lex Luthor.

In other words, Luthor may not be the only villain Superman faces in the DC Universe’s future. It’s possible that his film battles could also feature one iconic Superman nemesis from the comics, a villain renowned as one of the greatest adversaries in DC Comics history, but who has yet to appear in a live-action movie. Without a doubt, it’s not rocket science to guess which Superman antagonist Gunn should introduce on the big screen.

Where Is Brainiac?

Introduced in Action Comics issue 242, published in July 1958, Brainiac was conceived by Otto Binder and Al Plastino. This green-skinned extraterrestrial character is renowned for his immense intelligence (as suggested by his name and the distinctive depiction of his large skull), and he has a habit of miniaturizing planets and cities. Throughout various comic book iterations, Brainiac’s abilities and history have undergone changes, incorporating aspects such as artificial intelligence. Regardless of where he appears, Brainiac spells trouble for Superman.

It’s clear that Brainiac has found his way into various media outside of comics, particularly those centered around Superman. In live-action TV series such as Smallville, Superman & Lois, and notably Krypton, Brainiac has been portrayed in powerful forms. The DC Animated Universe also frequently employs the character across numerous shows, while LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, released in 2014, casts Brainiac as its main antagonist. With Superman appearing in different places, Brainiac seems to be a consistent presence, with the exception of theatrical films.

So far, Brainiac hasn’t been part of any live-action Superman movie that has hit theaters. However, there have been numerous attempts to bring this character to the big screen. For instance, the initial concept for Superman III centered around Brainiac. A sequel to Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was planned, which would’ve pitted Christopher Reeve’s Superman against Brainiac. Zack Snyder also had plans for a standalone Man of Steel sequel that would’ve included Brainiac. Perhaps most notably, the unmade 1990s movie Superman Lives would’ve featured Brainiac as one of the main villains, with actors like Jason Lee and Christopher Walken considered for the role by different creators.

Why Has Brainiac Been M.I.A. in Movies?

Despite repeated attempts, the character Brainiac has yet to make a proper appearance as a movie villain in live-action. The inconsistency of Superman film series over the years, including abandoned sequels post-1987 and failed follow-ups like Man of Steel, has contributed to this issue. With numerous potential movies within the broader Superman franchise failing to materialize, Brainiac has unfortunately become a casualty of these production woes. Due to the scarcity of new Superman films being produced, opportunities for Brainiac to appear have been limited and brief.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on the enigmatic character, Brainiac. This sci-fi masterpiece is unlike any other, boasting an eccentric green complexion and hailing from the quirkiest nooks of DC Comics’ cosmic universe. Unlike familiar faces such as Lex Luthor or General Zod, Brainiac isn’t a human or even a humanoid alien.

In the cutthroat world of filmmaking, studio executives may have been hesitant to produce Superman titles that veer too far from mainstream appeal, potentially finding Brainiac less appealing than other, more digestible adversaries. The same apprehension towards comic book absurdity that kept Krypto off our screens for decades has likely played a role in hindering Brainiac’s cinematic career.

In today’s era, where unconventional comic book characters like those from Guardians of the Galaxy have gained widespread popularity through films, it’s long overdue for Brainiac to receive his recognition. James Gunn, who has successfully incorporated the wildest aspects of DC Comics in his various movies (from The Suicide Squad to Creature Commandos to Superman), hints at the possibility of a live-action Brainiac film. Although Gunn hasn’t explicitly mentioned Brainiac as part of the DC Universe’s future plans, he would undeniably fit well within their current style and creative vision. Moreover, it would be thrilling to witness this longstanding Superman antagonist on the big screen at last.

Superman hits theaters on July 11th.

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2025-07-06 20:42