MAN OF TOMORROW director James Gunn appears to tease Brainiac with cryptic image

Earlier this week, The Wrap reported that Brainiac would indeed be the main villain of The man of tomorrowand director James Gunn now appears to have confirmed the news.

The filmmaker shared the image below on Threads. Although at first glance it doesn’t seem to have much to do with Brainiac, the photo is actually a 3D microscopic reconstruction of brain tissue.

We cannot be certain that he teases the super intelligent cyborg, but that seems like a safe bet!

Gunn is believed to be currently casting, and Dracula And Bad sisters Actor Claes Bang reportedly tested for the role. We’ve heard other actors are in the mix, but no names yet.

Many fans had assumed that Brainiac would be the film’s big bad anyway, since Gunn seemed to be hinting at the character when he shared an image of a medical X-ray with an exposed brain on the first page of his script.

“Look, of course, I wasn’t aware that when I released the screenplay cover that there was going to be some discussion around this particular topic. But I think we’re going to wait to find out what exactly happens.” Gunn said when asked about the page during a recent interview.

Brainiac has appeared in DC-based live-action shows such as Smalltown And Krypton as well as numerous animated projects, but The man of tomorrow will mark his first appearance in a feature film. It remains to be seen how the character will be introduced in AGAINSTbut there is a good chance that it has something to do with the events of the Peacemaker season 2 finale.

Gunn previously confirmed that the Quantum Deployment Chamber used by Rick Flag Sr. to discover Salvation was “non-human,” which could suggest that Brainiac would come to Earth to retrieve his technology.

The man of tomorrow will be released in theaters on July 9, 2027. Production is expected to begin next summer.

The man of tomorrow. In theaters July 9, 2027. pic.twitter.com/hegJEuRMTk

–James Gunn (@JamesGunn) September 3, 2025

Superman also stars Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho (we wouldn’t be at all surprised if they also return for The man of tomorrow).

The cast also includes Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell as “Ma” and “Pa” Kent, and Milly Alcock’s Supergirl makes her DCU debut before hers. Woman of tomorrow movie.

“And it’s over”, Gunn posted last year at the end of filming. “God bless our cast and crew whose commitment, creativity and hard work brought this project to life. I decided to make a film about a good man in a world that isn’t always so good. And the goodness, kindness and love I encountered daily on set inspired me and pushed me forward when I felt too exhausted to move forward alone.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It was an honor. The destination has been Superman, but the journey has been the work, the laughter, the emotions, the ideas and the magic we shared together on set – and for that, I am forever grateful. »

You can check out a synopsis of the film below.

“In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC Universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humanity.”