James Gunn has found his Brainiac. German actor Lars Eidinger will play the iconic Superman villain in this summer’s Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, the filmmaker confirmed. The announcement comes after several weeks of speculation and rumors.
Lars Eidinger will play Braniac
Gunn shared the news on X himself, ending weeks of speculation about one of DC’s most important villain roles. “In our worldwide search for Brainiac in the Man of Tomorrow, Lars Eidinger has risen to the top. Welcome to the DCU, Lars,” Gunn wrote on Saturday.
The announcement locks in a casting choice that hints at where Gunn’s version of the DC Universe is headed: less obvious, more global, and more willing to lean toward actors who quietly bring something to the screen.
A European heavyweight moves to DCU
Eidinger is not a household name in Hollywood, and that’s the main thing. He is best known for his work in Europe, particularly in the acclaimed German series Babylon Berlin, where his performances are often cerebral and disturbing rather than charming.
He has been involved in English-language projects before. Eidinger appeared in Netflix’s All the Light We Can’t See, directed by Shawn Levy, and worked with Noah Baumbach on White Noise. Those roles gave American audiences a taste of his intensity, but Man of Tomorrow put him front and center in a global franchise.
For Gunn, the appeal appears to be based on control and intelligence rather than brute force. Brainiac is not a villain who yells, he calculates.
why brainiac still matters
Brainiac first appeared in Action Comics No. 242, created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino. Introduced as a super-intelligent alien, Brainiac shrinks cities, bottles them up, and collects them as trophies. According to Variety, even Metropolis was not safe in the early stages.
Over time, Brainiac became one of Superman’s most dangerous opponents. He is just not powerful. He is organized. The threat he poses is at times so great that it forces Superman and Lex Luthor into an uneasy alliance.
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What’s next for Man of Tomorrow?
David Corenswet returns as Superman, with Nicholas Hoult once again playing the role of Lex Luthor. Industry discussions have pointed to the two characters forming a reluctant partnership when facing a threat that far exceeds their rivalry.
Man of Tomorrow is moving at a faster pace than most modern blockbusters. The film is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027, which is a relatively quick turnaround after Superman. Gunn is writing and directing, and will produce alongside DC Studios co-head Peter Safran.
After years of delays throughout Hollywood, this pace seems deliberate. Gunn isn’t waiting. He is building.