The DC Universe is already buzzing with excitement after James Gunn dropped a major hint about the villain for ‘Man of Tomorrow’, the highly anticipated sequel to his 2025 hit Superman. Fans have been speculating for months about who Superman would face next.
Now, Gunn’s latest script tease has seemingly confirmed it: Brainiac is coming. After the box office and critical success of ‘Superman’, starring David Corenswet as the rebooted Man of Steel, anticipation for ‘Man of Tomorrow’ has been sky-high. Gunn seems ready to deliver yet another ambitious entry in the DCU.
Brainiac Will Be The Ultimate Test For Superman And Lex Luthor
By sharing an image of the script’s front page on X, Gunn sent the internet into detective mode. Moreover, all signs point toward Brainiac being the sequel’s main antagonist. Brainiac is one of Superman’s most legendary foes, an extraterrestrial android obsessed with gathering knowledge, no matter the cost. He collects civilizations’ knowledge, then destroys them to make that knowledge “unique.” That combination makes him one of the most dangerous adversaries in Superman’s rogues’ gallery.
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According to Gunn’s tease, Brainiac won’t just be a physical or intellectual challenge for Superman. His arrival will also force an uneasy alliance between Clark Kent and his greatest rival, Lex Luthor. That detail alone adds fascinating tension. Superman and Luthor working together isn’t unheard of in the comics. However, it always raises big questions: Can Lex ever be trusted? What would compel him to stand beside the very man he has devoted his life to defeating?
In this case, the stakes seem clear. Brainiac, could be catastrophic enough to make even Lex realize that survival outweighs ego. There’s also irony here. Luthor prides himself on being the smartest man in the room, always convinced that “brain beats brawn.” However, Brainiac is a villain who takes intellect to terrifying extremes. How will Lex react when he meets someone whose knowledge dwarfs even his own?
That clash of egos could be just as compelling as the eventual showdown with Superman. Thematically, this sets up a story ripe with depth. Superman already ended with Clark showing a glimmer of belief that Lex might still be capable of doing some good for humanity. Still, as some fans have noted, the script will need more than just “world-ending danger” to justify Lex’s shift. In the first film, Luthor displayed reckless disregard for humanity’s survival.
James Gunn Says Writing ‘Man Of Tomorrow’ Was “Much Easier”
Alongside the villain reveal, Gunn has also offered insights into the creative process behind ‘Man of Tomorrow‘. While engaging with fans on Threads, the director was asked if writing the sequel had been harder than the first film. His response? “Much, much, much easier… So fun.” That enthusiasm is telling. Launching a rebooted Superman in 2025’s ‘Superman’ was no small feat.
In case you missed it: James Gunn Has Big Plans For David Corenswet’s ‘Superman’ Future
The character carries decades of cinematic baggage, countless fan expectations, and the weight of being the linchpin of a brand-new DCU. Gunn had to thread the needle carefully, blending reverence for the mythos with a fresh, modern take. Now that the groundwork has been laid and audiences have embraced Corenswet as Superman, Gunn seems freer to play.
The production timeline is also looking solid. Filming is expected to begin in April 2026, giving Gunn and his team ample time for world-building and visual development. The film is slated to release on July 9, 2027, keeping the momentum of the DCU rolling. Before then, however, audiences will meet another Kryptonian, Kara Zor-El, in ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,’ arriving in summer 2026.
