Casting Brainiac For The DCU’s Man Of Tomorrow: 7 Great Choices For Superman’s Nemesis

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Many fans believe Brainiac will be the next big villain in the DC Universe, and will appear in the upcoming film *Man of Tomorrow*. James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, recently confirmed he’s planning a sequel to the upcoming *Superman* movie. He announced in September that this sequel will be *Man of Tomorrow*, bringing back David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in 2027.

The upcoming film *Man of Tomorrow* won’t continue the story directly from the original *Superman* movie, but it will bring Superman and Lex Luthor together to face a larger danger. Many believe this enemy will be Brainiac, a classic Superman foe who first appeared in DC Comics in 1958. Brainiac is a super-intelligent alien robot who travels the universe, collecting and shrinking cities to expand his knowledge – including the Kryptonian city of Kandor, which puts him at odds with Superman. Although Brainiac’s introduction to the new DC Universe hasn’t been officially announced, here are seven actors who would be excellent choices to play the villain.

7) James Marsters

James Marsters, famous for his role as Spike in *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*, would be a great fit for the part of Brainiac in *Man of Tomorrow*. He previously played Brainiac 5 and Professor Milton Fine in *Smallville* from 2005 to 2010, where he fought Clark Kent, giving him a deep understanding of the character. Marsters excels at portraying villains who are charming, cunning, and manipulative – characters you love to despise – as seen in shows like *Torchwood, Runaways,* and *Supernatural*. This makes him a strong candidate to play Brainiac in the DC Universe.

6) Rami Malek

Rami Malek has impressed audiences with his roles as Freddie Mercury in *Bohemian Rhapsody* and Elliot Anderson in *Mr. Robot*. Now, with his recent performance as the chilling Lyutsifer Safin in *No Time to Die*, he’s demonstrated he has the intelligence, intensity, and emotional range to convincingly play the DC villain Brainiac. Casting Malek as Brainiac could give a *Man of Tomorrow* movie a darker, more psychological feel, setting it apart from other upcoming DC projects.

5) Hugo Weaving

Hugo Weaving is known for playing memorable villains like Red Skull in *Captain America* and Agent Smith in *The Matrix*. Adding Brainiac to his resume would be a fantastic fit. He’s proven he can convincingly portray the cold, arrogant, and intimidating qualities needed for truly unforgettable villains, all of which would make him a perfect choice for the role in *Man of Tomorrow*.

4) Jason Isaacs

Like David Weaving, Jason Isaacs consistently portrays villains who are both memorable and unsettling, staying with audiences long after the credits roll. From Lucius Malfoy in the *Harry Potter* films to Gabriel Lorca in *Star Trek: Discovery*, Hap in *The OA*, Timothy Ratliff in *The White Lotus*, and the Eminence in Marvel’s *What If…?*, Isaacs excels at bringing complex, powerful, and intimidating characters to life. His distinctive voice and commanding presence would make him an ideal Brainiac in the DCU, and fans would love to see him take on a major role in a superhero universe.

3) Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown is considered one of Hollywood’s most talented actors, and his work in shows and films like *This Is Us*, *Paradise*, *American Fiction*, and *Black Panther*-even *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*-demonstrates he’d be a fantastic addition to the DC Universe. He’d be particularly well-suited to play Brainiac, bringing a surprising warmth and humanity to the villain that few others could achieve. Brown possesses both the imposing presence and the captivating charm needed for the role, and it would be exciting to see him interact with David Corenswet as Superman.

2) Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes has been a working actor for four decades and would bring significant talent and experience to the role of Brainiac in the DC Universe. Following recent roles in films like *28 Years Later* and the upcoming *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping*, Fiennes is gaining renewed attention, potentially opening doors for a DCU appearance. Known for playing iconic villains like Lord Voldemort in *Harry Potter*, it would be exciting to see him take on another powerful antagonist in the DC Universe.

1) Mads Mikkelsen

Though Mads Mikkelsen didn’t land a major Marvel villain role after appearing in *Doctor Strange* and unsuccessfully auditioning for Doctor Doom, he could finally find the perfect fit in the DC Universe. Known for captivating performances as villains like Hannibal Lecter and Le Chiffre, Mikkelsen is ideally suited to play Brainiac. He’s even said he enjoys portraying villains who see themselves as the good guys, which perfectly matches Brainiac’s character. It would be fantastic to see Mads Mikkelsen get a significant superhero role in a *Man of Tomorrow* project, giving him the recognition he deserves.

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2025-09-24 19:11