Matt Smith Reportedly Leading the Race to Play Brainiac In James Gunn’s MAN OF TOMORROW
The search for Brainiac in James Gunn’s upcoming Man of Tomorrow is heating up, and a new rumor suggests a clear favorite has pulled ahead. With the trades confirming that Gunn is deep into casting for Superman’s next on screen adversary, fans have been watching closely to see who will take on one of the DC Universe’s most iconic villains.
For a while, several intriguing names floated around the conversation. Early chatter pointed to Claes Bang, fresh off Dracula, then Sam Rockwell, who previously joined the Marvel world in Iron Man 2, was said to be in the mix.
Before long, Matt Smith, known to many as the Eleventh Doctor on Doctor Who, emerged as another strong possibility. Given how Gunn and Peter Safran have built the DCU so far, leaning into unexpected casting rather than crowd chasing marquee names, all three felt like plausible choices.
It also tracks with the studio’s strategy. Superman soared at the box office without relying on major star power, proving the approach works. So seeing Bang, Rockwell, or Smith considered for Brainiac fit right in with this new era of DC storytelling.
Now comes word from scooper Daniel Richtman that Smith has become the frontrunner for the role. The actor has stacked up a wide range of genre experience beyond Doctor Who, from Morbius to House of the Dragon to Last Night in Soho.
He’s also stepping into villain territory again in Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter. If he does end up taking on Brainiac, it’s not hard to imagine him trading intense scenes with David Corenswet’s Superman or Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. It would even set up a small House of the Dragon reunion with Milly Alcock, now playing Supergirl.
During the Morbius press tour a few years ago, Smith reflected on navigating secrecy in franchise projects, saying, "I'm well versed in trying to keep storylines and plotlines a secret from Doctor Who, of course.
“It was quite liberating doing The Crown, actually, because everyone knows everything. Everyone knows the story, which is why that show's really special, because we know what happens. But I didn't mind having to keep that secret, because I've done it before. Mum's the word."
He also talked about the scale of big productions, adding, "All of it tends to be quite similar in the end. It's big sets and big lights and cameras and all that sort of thing, and lots of bells and whistles.
“But ultimately, it comes down to two people having a scene trying to tell the truth to one another. The essence of it is the same. But it was exciting to be on a movie of this scale, certainly."
Whether Smith officially becomes Brainiac remains to be seen, but the idea has sparked plenty of excitement among fans who can already picture his cool, calculating take on the character.
Gunn’s next Superman chapter lands in theaters July 9, 2027.