James Gunn has officially cast Lars Eidinger as the villain Brainiac in his sequel to this summer’s Superman titled Man of Tomorrow. Announcing the news on X, the writer-director expressed excitement about Eidinger taking on the role after a worldwide search for the character.
Eidinger, a German actor recognized for his performances in European cinema, is known for his work in the acclaimed series Babylon Berlin as well as collaborations with Shawn Levy on the Netflix miniseries All the Light We Cannot See and Noah Baumbach in White Noise.
Brainiac, first introduced in 1958’s Action Comics No. 242, is often regarded as one of Superman’s most formidable foes. Created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino, Brainiac is depicted as a super-intelligent alien with the ability to shrink Metropolis and store it among other captured cities. His cunning intelligence and significant threat level have often compelled even Lex Luthor to ally with Superman against him.
The film will see David Corenswet reprise his role as Superman, with Nicholas Hoult portraying Lex Luthor. The storyline hints at a potential uneasy alliance between the two characters as they confront this significant danger.
Scheduled for release on July 9, 2027, Man of Tomorrow is set to advance quickly after Superman, marking a notable endeavor for Gunn, especially in light of the challenges faced by the film industry during the pandemic and ongoing labor strikes. Gunn will not only direct but also write the script and produce the film alongside Peter Safran, his co-chief at DC Studios. The collaboration is poised to bring a fresh narrative to the beloved superhero franchise, promising an engaging cinematic experience for fans.