Did Superman Just Reveal a Major DC Villain Was Cut From the Movie?

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In this new series, since Superman doesn’t delve into its character’s origin, it jumps right into the action with David Corenswet as the Man of Steel. The Hammer of Boravia poses a threat to Metropolis citizens, and it falls on Superman to step up and save the day. However, he’s not alone in his adversity as Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) manipulates from behind the scenes, aiming to tarnish Superman’s heroic image. The Kryptonian finds these character assaults particularly galling, especially when his Justice Gang friends unquestioningly believe Luthor’s lies. The situation seems almost overwhelming for Superman, and it might have been even more challenging if director James Gunn had revealed all his plans at once.

As Superman’s digital release approaches, Warner Bros. has shared a documentary titled “Making Superman” with intriguing behind-the-scenes insights. One captivating moment in the film is a heartfelt discussion between Gunn and Corenswet about the famous “what it means to be human” speech, where Superman pours his feelings out to Luthor who doubts the hero truly comprehends humanity. Interestingly, this conversation could have been directed towards another alien character initially planned for Superman.

Exploring the Genesis of Superman uncovers the earliest stages of film production, even showcasing storyboards displaying the initial visual concept of the movie. The artwork highlights thrilling moments such as Superman, Krypto, and Supergirl taking flight, yet beneath them lies a mysterious figure with peculiar markings on their head. The enigmatic character seems to wield an uncanny power, suggested by the writhing lines above them, a power that appears to be mentally demanding.

Well… that’s interesting.

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— Home of DCU (@homeofdcu) August 12, 2025

Indeed, the sketch seems to share characteristics with the well-known DC antagonist, Brainiac, who hasn’t been featured in a live-action Superman film up till now. Gunn didn’t elaborate on the possibility of introducing this villain from Colu into the DC Universe for Superman, but this storyboard definitely hints at something. Luckily, future films offer potential chances for Brainiac to wreak havoc on Superman in the cinema.

James Gunn May Be Saving Brainiac for Another Time

Although no immediate sequel to the popular series “Superman” has been officially announced, it’s clear that Corenswet’s character won’t be idle for long. Director James Gunn has confirmed his return, suggesting an imminent appearance rather than a delay. With Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav hinting at a favorite director already engrossed in crafting another script he intends to direct, it seems that a significant project is on the horizon within the next few years. The most likely scenario is that Gunn will unite Superman and Supergirl to tackle a formidable enemy, and Brainiac could well be that menacing foe.

Perhaps Gunn initially intended to playfully hint at Brainiac’s appearance in his initial DCU film, but things didn’t quite pan out as planned. Fortunately, this might turn out to be for the better since such an intellectually superior being like Brainiac merits a more substantial and impactful introduction than a brief teaser in a Luthor-centric narrative.

Superman hits digital on August 15.

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2025-08-13 00:42