Brainiac Confirmed as Villain in James Gunn's "Man of Tomorrow"

Brainiac Confirmed as Villain in James Gunn's "Man of Tomorrow"

Posted on November 15, 2025 by Neil Cole

DC Studios today confirmed that the upcoming sequel "Man of Tomorrow" will introduce Brainiac, one of Superman's most formidable and intelligent adversaries, as the central villain. Production is scheduled to begin in Atlanta in April, with the film set for release on July 9, 2027.

In this installment, Superman (David Corenswet) faces an unprecedented threat that forces him into an uneasy alliance with his long-time nemesis, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). Brainiac, a cybernetic entity known for his vast intellect and ruthless ambitions, provides a challenge he cannot face alone. Rumors indicate that actor and professional wrestler Dave Bautista is in talks to portray Brainiac, a casting that has excited fans and industry insiders alike.

James Gunn, who serves as both writer and director, has spoken candidly about the stakes and dynamics of the story. He told The Howard Stern Show, "It's a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat. It's more complicated than that, but that's a big part of it. It's as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie."

Gunn also addressed the speculation around Brainiac when he shared a photo of the Man of Tomorrow script's cover, which features a skull with an exposed brain. "Listen, of course I wasn't unaware that when I posted the cover of the script... there was going to be discussion around that particular topic," he said. "But I think we'll hold off from what exactly is happening."

Brainiac has been a central figure in DC Comics since his debut in Action Comics #242 in 1958, known for his genius-level intelligence, cybernetic enhancements, and obsession with collecting cities like Kandor. The character has appeared in live-action television before - most notably James Marsters as Milton Fine/Brainiac in "Smallville", Blake Ritson as Brainiac on "Krypton", and Laura Vandervoort as Indigo/Brainiac 8 on "Supergirl". Yet despite these appearances, Brainiac has never before served as the primary antagonist in a live-action Superman feature - making his inclusion in "Man of Tomorrow" a landmark for the franchise.

As the production window approaches, anticipation is building for the film's exploration of the shifting relationship between Superman and Luthor, and for the high-stakes intellectual battle Brainiac promises to bring. DC Studios will release further updates on casting, design, and story developments in the coming months.