Director’s choice for classic villain fuels expectations for new DCU movie
Filmmaker James Gunn announced it this Saturday 20 at Xthat the German actor Lars Eidinger was selected to play the villain Brainiac in the next Superman movie, The man of tomorrowincreasing the buzz around the future of DC Universe (DCU). Gunn reported that after a worldwide search for the ideal performer, Eidinger “reached the top” and officially welcomed the actor into the cinematic universe of ANNOUNCEMENT.
Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images/Rolling Stone Brazil
In our global search for Brainiac in Man of Tomorrow, Lars Eidinger has risen to the top. Welcome to the DCU, Lars. pic.twitter.com/atkWZpG1CT
–James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 20, 2025
The choice of Brainiac marks a clear movement in the construction of powerful antagonists for the stories of Supermanafter the success of Superman (2025), which grossed more than $600 million at the global box office, or more than 3 billion reais, and established itself as one of the franchise’s most notable releases in recent years. The new film, which continues the story started in the previous film, is scheduled to be released on July 9, 2027.
The already confirmed cast includes David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman And Nicolas Hoult as Lex Luthorforming a strong core of classic protagonists and antagonists from the Man of Steel mythology.
In addition to the creative choices, the Warner Bros. – current home of the DCU – is going through a period of uncertainty within the companies, with recent speculation about a possible sale, although it is not yet clear what impact this could have on the schedule of future productions.
For fans, confirmation of Brainiac and the inclusion of an actor with an international profile like Eidinger represent a sign of narrative ambition, suggesting that The man of tomorrow can explore not only physical confrontations, but also intellectual and existential aspects related to the character — traditionally one of the most dangerous and calculating villains in the universe Superman.
A worthy villain and his career Lars Eidinger
Lars Eidingerborn January 21, 1976 in Germany, is an actor known for his versatility and his striking presence both in European cinema and in international productions. In addition to working on theater classics like Hamlet And Richard IIIin cinema and television, Eidinger built a diverse filmography over more than two decades. Among his most notable works are films such as All others (2009), directed by Maren Adethe drama Dying — The Last Symphony (2024), premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, and participation in international productions such as Personal buyer (2016), from Olivier Assayas, White noise (2022) and the series Babylon Berlin. Her career also includes roles in notable adaptations and series, such as All the light we can’t see (2023), expanding its visibility beyond European cinema.
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