German actor Lars Eidinger has been cast as Brainiac in James Gunn’s upcoming DC film Man of Tomorrow, according to sources familiar with the production. The casting places one of Europe’s most acclaimed character actors at the centre of the newly rebooted DC Universe, which is being shaped by Gunn alongside DC Studios co-head Peter Safran.
The film is positioned as a key chapter in DC’s long-term cinematic strategy and follows Gunn’s Superman, the first major release from the relaunched studio slate. By introducing Brainiac, one of Superman’s most formidable and intellectually complex adversaries, Man of Tomorrow signals an expansion of the DC Universe beyond Earth-based threats into a broader cosmic narrative.
Brainiac, created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino, first appeared in Action Comics #242 in 1958. Over the decades, the character has evolved into one of DC Comics’ most iconic villains. Traditionally depicted as a hyper-intelligent android from the planet Colu, Brainiac is driven by an obsessive need to collect, catalogue and preserve knowledgeoften by shrinking entire cities and storing them in stasis. In many comic storylines, his quest for knowledge comes at the cost of entire civilizations, placing him in direct conflict with Superman’s moral code.
The character has also been linked, in several versions of DC lore, to the destruction of Krypton, Superman’s home planet, further deepening his personal significance within the mythology. Despite Brainiac’s prominence in the comics and animated series, Man of Tomorrow will mark the character’s first appearance in a live-action feature film, a milestone moment for long-time fans.
Man of Tomorrow stars David Corenswet as Superman, taking over the iconic role as Gunn reimagines the Man of Steel for a new generation. Nicholas Hoult is set to portray Lex Luthor, Superman’s long-standing human adversary. While plot details remain tightly guarded, sources indicate that the film will revolve around a large-scale, galactic-level threat that forces Superman and Luthor into an uneasy and reluctant alliance. Brainiac’s presence is expected to challenge both characters intellectually and morally, raising the stakes far beyond previous cinematic confrontations.
James Gunn confirmed Eidinger’s casting in a post on Instagram, praising the actor’s performance and screen presence. “In our worldwide search for Brainiac in Man of Tomorrow, Lars Eidinger rose to the top,” Gunn wrote. “Welcome to the DCU, Lars.” Gunn has previously said the film will balance respect for DC’s established mythology with bold new interpretations designed to set the tone for the studio’s future.
Eidinger is widely regarded as one of Germany’s most versatile and intense performers, with a career spanning theatre, film and television. International audiences may recognize him from Olivier Assayas’ Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper, where his performances were noted for their psychological depth and unpredictability. He has also appeared in Noah Baumbach’s Netflix productions White Noise and Jay Kelly, further cementing his reputation beyond European cinema.
