James Gunn Clears Up Brainiac's Role in Superman Sequel

Following Superman (2025)'s triumphant premiere, fans have been anticipating the sequel, which is now formally known as 'Man of Tomorrow.' Ever since James Gunn teased an image strongly hinting at the classic Superman villain Brainiac’s appearance in 'Man of Tomorrow,' the impending follow-up to his Superman movie, fans have been speculating. Although he has yet to confirm everything, Gunn has provided some clarification through recent interviews and social media revelations. 

A Hint More Than a Confirmation

Ever since Gunn shared a photo of the script cover for 'Man of Tomorrow,' the internet quickly jumped to the conclusion that Brainiac would be the film's central villain. On the cover of the script, we see the cross-sectional anatomy of a head, but the brain does not look human. This led fans to believe that there is a good chance for 'Man of Tomorrow' to introduce Brainiac as the main villain for DCU's Chapter 1. For those who are unaware, there have been several instances in DC comics where Lex Luthor and Superman have paired up to fight Brainiac. 

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The speculation grew so intense that Gunn had to respond directly. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, he acknowledged the reaction but stated that he wasn't ready to confirm Brainiac's involvement just yet. He said, "We'll hold off from what exactly is happening," adding that while fans aren't wrong to speculate, he prefers to keep the full story under wraps for now. 

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Gunn did clarify that the relationship between Superman (David Corenswet) and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), who must set aside their disagreements to confront a far more significant and frightening threat, will be a major theme of the follow-up. This implies that the plot will deviate from the conventional hero-villain paradigm, although it does not preclude Brainiac's appearance. 

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Additionally, Gunn made it clear that the movie will remain grounded in the core DCU reality and will not incorporate storylines from alternative universes or other properties like 'Peacemaker.'

What's the Status of 'Man of Tomorrow'?

'Man of Tomorrow' is currently now in pre-production, with casting confirmed and the script finished. Filming will start in April 2026, according to James Gunn, and the official release date is set for 9th July, 2027. Compared to the original Superman movie, Gunn said the writing process this time was easier and more pleasurable. His statement that it seemed "much, much, much easier" is a clear sign that the follow-up will boldly expand upon the foundation that has already been established.        

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Gunn also described Man of Tomorrow as being "as much a Lex Luthor movie as it is a Superman movie," suggesting a deeper character study of the iconic villain. While we wait for production to begin, the broader DC Universe projects—like 'Supergirl' (2026), and 'Clayface' (2026)—are aligned to build toward 'Man of Tomorrow.'

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