Director James Gunn recently shared an early glimpse of the script for Man of Tomorrow, the next chapter in his Superman Saga, sparking widespread excitement about the film’s villain. The reveal occurred through a social media post showing the script’s cover page, which features detailed anatomical artwork of a human head, with a particular focus on the brain. This visual clue has led many fans to speculate that the film’s antagonist could be Brainiac, a classic Superman enemy awaiting a live-action cinematic debut.
Brainiac Speculation Grows as Gunn Teases a Major Threat
The emphasis on the brain in the cover’s illustration aligns closely with audience expectations that Brainiac will be the formidable threat Superman faces alongside Lex Luthor. Gunn had previously hinted that the Man of Steel would confront “a much bigger threat” in this installment, which fueled speculation about Brainiac’s involvement. For Brainiac’s arrival to fit the story, Gunn faces the challenge of reshaping Lex Luthor’s character, who was previously portrayed as a destructive antagonist.
James Gunn Envisions a More Complex Lex Luthor in Man of Tomorrow
In his commentary on the film, Gunn expressed interest in exploring a more nuanced portrayal of Lex Luthor, aiming to reveal qualities of heroism beneath his villainous exterior. He described Lex as a compelling figure who, despite his moral flaws, possesses remarkable determination and ambition.
I think I’m just more interested in getting into the heart of Lex and seeing how he fits into all of this,
said Gunn during an interview with The Ringer-Verse on YouTube.
I think getting to know more of Lex as a human being. We saw a lot about the evil part of Lex. He’s pretty evil. He, as a character, is really interesting. There’s something, despite everything, that is incredibly heroic about Lex,
he continued.
Take aside morality, which is hard to do, but here is this guy who is saying, ‘You can hold up a building. You can shoot down planes with your eyes. F– you, I’m going to kick your ass because I’m better than you. I can’t help but admire his tenacity and his ego. His ambition is beyond compare. He’s the underdog,
Gunn added (via ComicBookMovie).
Yeah, sure, he’s got a lot of corporate power that he can use to manipulate things, but he can’t fly into outer space, lift up a building, or punch something across three states,
the DC Studios co-CEO concluded.
He’s a guy, and I f–ing love that.
Anticipation Builds for July 2027 Release as DC Studios Shifts Direction
Man of Tomorrow is currently slated for release in July 2027. The project’s sudden development signals a strategic adjustment within DC Studios, potentially reshaping the direction initially planned under the Gods and Monsters slate. Fans and industry observers are closely watching how this new take on Superman’s world will unfold, especially with the promise of a deeper look at Lex Luthor and the looming Brainiac threat.
