James Gunn Officially Announces Brainiac Casting For Man Of Tomorrow

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In 2027’s Man of Tomorrow, Superman and Lex Luthor will team up to fight the classic villain Brainiac. This marks the official introduction of Brainiac into the new DC Universe, as the first chapter, “Gods and Monsters,” continues to unfold. Despite being rivals, Superman and Lex Luthor must work together to face this shared danger.

James Gunn announced that Lars Eidinger will play the iconic DC villain Brainiac in the upcoming film, Man of Tomorrow. This will be the first time Brainiac has ever appeared on the big screen. Filming is scheduled to start in April 2026.

Brainiac made his live-action debut in season 5 of the TV show Smallville, with James Marsters playing the role. He appeared in multiple seasons, and in season 10, Marsters returned as Brainiac 5 – a character typically distinct from the original villainous Brainiac.

The SYFY series Krypton, a prequel to the Superman story, featured Brainiac as a major villain, played by Blake Ritson throughout its two seasons. This version of the character was designed to be very similar to how he appears in the original comic books.

The movie, titled Man of Tomorrow, was officially announced on September 3, 2025. James Gunn revealed new artwork showcasing Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and David Corenswet as Superman, with Hoult wearing Lex Luthor’s iconic Lexosuit. Shortly after, on September 22nd, Gunn hinted on Instagram that Brainiac would be the film’s main villain.

Fans have long hoped to see Brainiac as a villain in a DC movie, as he’s consistently portrayed as one of Superman’s greatest and most formidable foes in the comics. James Gunn recently discussed the plot during an interview on The Howard Stern Show, revealing these details:

As a huge movie fan, I’m really excited about this new film! It’s a story where Superman and Lex Luthor actually have to team up, because something even more dangerous is coming. It’s not just a Superman movie though, it really dives into Lex Luthor’s story too. I was blown away by Nicholas Hoult’s performance – I actually found myself understanding Lex’s motivations, which is a little scary! I think James Gunn really wanted to do something special with these two characters, and honestly, the script is just fantastic. It feels like a truly unique take on these iconic heroes.

Man of Tomorrow arrives in theaters on July 9, 2027.

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2025-12-20 19:40