Director James Gunn has shared a first look at the script for his DCU Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, and it has fans convinced Brainiac is now confirmed to make an appearance.
The DC Studios co-CEO shared the front page of the superhero sequel movie’s script on social media. We see posts like these from filmmakers often, and while they don’t usually reveal too much in terms of plot details, Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow script features a peculiar image on its front cover: an anatomical illustration of a brain.
😈🤝😇 #MoT 7.9.27 pic.twitter.com/aIKSFpaHff
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) September 22, 2025
It’s a drawing that sent heads spinning for more than a few reasons. Gunn confirmed earlier this month that Man of Tomorrow will see David Corenswet’s Clark Kent/Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor team up to fight a “much, much bigger threat.” The former Marvel moviemaker neglected to share exactly what this threat is, of course, but it was enough to have fans hoping to see the all-powerful Brainiac fill the slot.
For many, Brainiac is the first name that comes to mind when seeing such a striking image associated with Superman, and it’s not just because of his name. DC’s Collector of Worlds is a knowledge-obsessed alien who has been known to threaten Metropolis in the past. He’s also one of Superman’s most infamous foes, though Gunn stops short of saying he will show up for Man of Tomorrow.
While Superman villains may not be as well known as Batman’s rogues gallery, that doesn’t mean the Man of Steel doesn’t have his own long list of evildoers who could also fill the main villain role. Doomsday, Darkseid, Bizarro, and General Zod are just a few of the names who have given Superman a run for his money in other, past comic book stories but have yet to appear in the DCU.
There’s little to suggest it couldn’t be one of Superman’s many, many other enemies showing up to cause trouble in Man of Tomorrow. It would absolutely make sense if that brain on the Superman sequel’s script is a Brainiac tease, or it could simply be Gunn’s way of representing Lex Luthor’s brainpower, considering his more prominent role.
“It’s as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie,” the director and writer said earlier this month.
Today’s image could be a tease for a number of different things, and it will no doubt give fans plenty to think about while they wait for Man of Tomorrow to arrive July 9, 2027. That hasn’t stopped some from outright assuming Brainiac is now set to make his live-action DCU debut when the sequel premieres.
It’s definitely Lex & Supes vs Brainiac pic.twitter.com/U77bXxz5vt https://t.co/3Cpsz2YNBg
— Nicholas (@NicholasPas5) September 22, 2025
when Lex and Brainiac are in an intellectual fight like chess I’ll be in the theater like this: pic.twitter.com/CimEhLNlM6
— Bob 🦇💻 (@mrbobwayne) September 22, 2025
BRANIAC INTRODUCTION pic.twitter.com/ZoWddEj4Mh
— Masked_saiyan101 (@DbsContents) September 22, 2025
While we wait for more from Gunn and the rest of the DC team, you can check out everything else we know about Man of Tomorrow. You can also read about its connections to Peacemaker Season 2.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
