Bold claim: Brainiac is DC Studios’ next defining threat in Man of Tomorrow, and the casting chase is heating up. As revealed last month, the studio is actively seeking the right actor to bring the iconic villain to life, with discussions underway and offers not yet on the table. Inside sources indicate Claes Bang, Matt Smith, and Sam Rockwell are among the top contenders on the short list, though several names remain unconfirmed as the search continues and final decisions haven’t been made. Budget limits at DC Studios could influence which preferred stars ultimately land the role.
Claes Bang is best known for his work in The Square and BBC’s Dracula, and he also played the villain in Robert Eggers’ The Northman. Matt Smith, famed for his tenure as the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who and as Prince Philip in The Crown, has a diverse résumé that also includes House of the Dragon, Morbius, and Caught Stealing. Sam Rockwell recently drew attention in The White Lotus’s latest season, which earned him an Emmy nomination; his filmography includes Iron Man 2, Vice, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the latter earning him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2017.
Key creative leadership is in place: James Gunn will write, direct, and produce the film, with DC Studios co-CEO and chair Peter Safran co-producing alongside Gunn. Per previously announced plans, David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult are expected to reprise Clark Kent/Superman and Lex Luthor, respectively, and will share co-lead duties. Frank Grillo is confirmed to return as Rick Flag Sr. While the storyline will maintain the rivalry against Lex Luthor, rumors suggest a possible alliance or complex dynamic between these forces. Unverified reports from Nexus Point News also hint at cameo or supporting roles for Supergirl (Milly Alcock), Lobo (Jason Momoa), and Peacemaker (John Cena) in the new film. Filming is slated to begin in April in Atlanta and continue through the summer.
Superman hit theaters on July 11, 2025, marking DC Studios’ inaugural feature and the launch of the DCU. Beyond Superman and Lex Luthor, the film introduced Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl, Supergirl, and Perry White (Wendell Pierce), among others. With a production budget of approximately $225 million, the movie grossed about $616 million worldwide. The story threads are expected to ripple into season 2 of Peacemaker, which has just wrapped its run. Looking ahead, DCU projects in various stages include HBO’s Lanterns and Supergirl (in post-production) and Clayface (currently filming in Liverpool).
DC Studios’ Man of Tomorrow is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Discovery on July 9, 2027.
