MAN OF TOMORROW Brainiac Actor Shortlist Reportedly Includes Matt Smith and Sam Rockwell
A reliable insider claims that the shortlist for who might play Brainiac in James Gunn’s upcoming Man of Tomorrow includes a trio of fascinating choices that will get DC fans talking.
If this report pans out, audiences could see Claes Bang, Matt Smith, or Sam Rockwell bring the iconic Superman villain to life.
Even though Gunn has yet to officially say the character is in the film, Brainiac’s involvement has been confirmed by other outlets. Now Nexus Point News has added fuel to the fire by reporting that Bang, Smith, and Rockwell are the names currently being considered.
The outlet notes that no offers have been made yet and added an interesting detail about the casting situation, explaining that "budget restrictions at DC Studios may prevent certain desirable names to be cast."
Bang is no stranger to genre fans thanks to Dracula and The Northman, which is why his name has floated around Brainiac conversations before.
Smith already has a strong following from Doctor Who and House of the Dragon, and some fans would love to have him in the role of Brainiac.
As for Rockwell, he would be a very unexpected pick for this role, but social media reactions show a surprising amount of enthusiasm at the possibility.
A lot of fans have suspected Brainiac would be the antagonist anyway, especially after Gunn stirred speculation when he revealed the first page of his script that featured an X ray showing an exposed brain.
Nexus Point News also shared some specifics from the character breakdown which state, "Makeup and prosthetics will be used for the film’s antagonist. In addition, actors with a strong build and stature are being looked at for the role."
Gunn was recently asked about the X ray page and offered a playful response. "Listen, of course I wasn't unaware that when I posted the cover of the script that there was going to be discussion around that particular topic. But I think we'll hold off from what exactly is happening.”
While Brainiac has shown up in DC television on Smallville and Krypton, Man of Tomorrow will be the character’s cinematic debut. Exactly how he factors into the story remains a mystery, though fans have speculated that the events of the Peacemaker Season 2 finale might set the stage for his arrival.
Which direction would you like to see DC Studios go? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Man of Tomorrow arrives in theaters on July 9, 2027, with production set to begin next summer.