The DC Universe just got a major upgrade! On December 20, 2025, James Gunn officially announced that acclaimed German actor Lars Eidinger will play the iconic supervillain Brainiac in Man of Tomorrow, the highly anticipated sequel to 2025’s Superman.
Gunn shared the news on social media, writing: “In our worldwide search for Brainiac in ‘Man of Tomorrow,’ Lars Eidinger rose to the top. Welcome to the DCU, Lars.” This marks the first time Brainiac – one of Superman’s most intelligent and dangerous foes – will appear in a live-action feature film.
Who Is Lars Eidinger? The Perfect Choice for Brainiac
At 49, Eidinger is a powerhouse in European cinema and theater. He’s starred in critically acclaimed films like Babylon Berlin, All the Light We Cannot See, Noah Baumbach’s White Noise and Jay Kelly, and Olivier Assayas’ Personal Shopper and Clouds of Sils Maria. His intense, cerebral presence and sharp features make him an inspired pick for the hyper-intelligent alien android.
Fans are praising the casting for bringing a lesser-known (to mainstream US audiences) talent into the spotlight – similar to Gunn’s fresh approaches in past projects. Many note his “creepy, calculating eyes” will suit Brainiac perfectly.
Brainiac’s Role in Man of Tomorrow: A Game-Changing Threat
Created in 1958 by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, Brainiac is a genius from the planet Colu obsessed with collecting knowledge – often by shrinking and bottling entire cities (including Kandor from Krypton in some stories). He’s destroyed planets and manipulated heroes for his quest.
In Man of Tomorrow (set for July 9, 2027 release), Brainiac forces an uneasy alliance between David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor against this “much bigger threat.” Expect epic battles, mind games, and stunning visuals as Gunn expands the DCU.
Following the success of Superman (over $616M worldwide), this sequel promises higher stakes and deeper lore.
Fan Reactions & Why This Casting Excites
The announcement sparked massive buzz – positive for the bold choice, with fans saying Eidinger “looks straight out of the comics.” Some dream of classic elements like the pink shirt or skull ship.
This continues Gunn’s trend of surprising, fitting casts in the rebooted DCU.
What do you think of Lars Eidinger as Brainiac? Excited for the Superman-Lex team-up? Drop your thoughts below!
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