James Gunn Already Revealed Matthew Lillard as Plastic Man in the DCU

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Matthew Lillard, recently seen in the Marvel world, is now joining the DC Universe. Interestingly, James Gunn may have hinted at this casting three years ago! It was officially confirmed in early May 2026 that Lillard will appear in Man of Tomorrow, bringing him back together with Gunn after 22 years, following their work on Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. It appears Gunn had a specific role in mind for Lillard for quite some time.

Matthew Lillard will join the DC Universe in Man of Tomorrow, alongside David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult, who are returning as Superman and Lex Luthor. Several actors from the previous Superman film, including Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced, will also be back. Aaron Pierre is reprising his role from Lanterns. While the roles of Adria Arjona, Andre Royo, and Lillard haven’t been officially announced, James Gunn may have hinted at Lillard’s part.

James Gunn Has Already Teased That Matthew Lillard Could Play Plastic Man

I remember back in March 2023, when James Gunn and Peter Safran were just starting their run at DC Studios, Gunn dropped a pretty amazing tidbit on X (formerly Twitter). He said he’s been wanting to work with Matthew Lillard for over two decades! Apparently, way back in 2000, while on the set of Scooby-Doo, Gunn and Lillard actually pitched a Plastic Man movie to then-Warner Bros. production president Lorenzo di Bonaventura. It’s wild to think about a Plastic Man movie starring Shaggy almost 25 years ago, and even more exciting that Gunn clearly hasn’t forgotten about it!

After 27 years, the story of Man of Tomorrow may finally come to life. Created by Jack Cole, Plastic Man—originally published by Quality Comics from 1941 to 1956 and later owned by DC Comics—was the story of Patrick “Eel” O’Brian, a criminal who gained rubber-like powers after a botched robbery at the Crawford Chemical Works. He recovered from the incident with the help of a monk and soon discovered his new abilities.

James Gunn often incorporates lesser-known characters into his live-action films, like Rocket Raccoon, Weasel, Howard the Duck, and Polka-Dot Man. Plastic Man would be a natural fit, and it’s likely Gunn will include him in the new DC Universe. Matthew Lillard would be a fantastic choice to play Plastic Man (Patrick O’Brian), and could become an important character in future DC projects, including Man of Tomorrow and beyond.

Why Matthew Lillard Would Be Perfect As the DCU’s Plastic Man

I’m so excited to see Matthew Lillard getting so much attention lately! It’s amazing to see him in everything from Five Nights at Freddy’s to Scream 7 and even Daredevil: Born Again. Of course, I grew up watching him as the live-action Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo movie back in 2002 – James Gunn wrote that one, which is awesome! For almost thirty years, he’s been the voice of Shaggy in all those direct-to-video movies, and now it feels like he’s really poised to take on even bigger and better roles. It’s fantastic!

Matthew Lillard consistently brings a great mix of humor, dramatic depth, and physical comedy to his roles, making him an ideal choice to play Plastic Man. The character’s powers – bending, stretching, and bouncing into any shape – require an actor with strong physical skills, which Lillard clearly possesses. Plus, Plastic Man’s journey from villain to hero needs someone who can handle both lightheartedness and serious moments, and Lillard excels at that balance.

Matthew Lillard is perfectly suited to play Plastic Man, thanks to his acting skills, unique voice, captivating on-screen personality, and energetic delivery. Many fans have envisioned him in this role for nearly thirty years, and the Man of Tomorrow project is the ideal chance to make it happen. While Plastic Man might seem like an unexpected addition to a film meant to follow in the spirit of Superman, he has the potential to be a key player in the future of the DC Universe.

What Role Plastic Man Could Have in Man of Tomorrow & Beyond

Matthew Lillard joining the cast of Man of Tomorrow is a great addition, and his potential role as Plastic Man might hint at big things to come in the DC Universe. Plastic Man was part of the Justice League in the 1990s, and with other League members like Superman and Green Lantern already confirmed for the film, we might see the team officially come together.

Matthew Lillard’s portrayal of Plastic Man has the potential to be a significant part of the DC Universe, especially if his character is playfully teased as a member of the Justice League. He could serve as the team’s source of humor – the unpredictable and quirky addition James Gunn often favors. Beyond the Justice League, Plastic Man’s introduction in a future project could hint at the formation of the Terrifics. Both Mister Terrific and Metamorpho made appearances in Superman, and these three characters share a history in the comics.

Plastic Man’s incredible ability to change his shape lets him become anyone or anything, making him a valuable addition to any superhero team. He could be a real asset to the upcoming Man of Tomorrow story, where Superman and Lex Luthor are joining forces against Brainiac, and his story could be further explored. Matthew Lillard would be a perfect actor to play him.

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2026-05-12 01:07