An emerging popular casting choice for Brainiac in James Gunn’s DC Universe finally responds to the Man of Tomorrow rumors. As 2025’s Superman movie has become one of the big hits of the year, DC Studios is making sure the Man of Steel does not stay away from the big screen for too long.

While the DCU’s Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” has several movies and TV shows in the works, a continuation to the 2025 entry is officially in development. David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult are reprising their roles as Clark Kent and Lex Luthor, who will be facing a new threat together.

During an interview with The Movie Dweeb, Chukwudi Iwuji, who has become a fan-favorite choice for the role of DC villain Brainiac in Man of Tomorrow, the star was asked if he could see himself portraying the famous Superman foe. However, despite rumors, the actor made the following statement:

Could I see myself doing it? If James picked up the phone and called me, absolutely. Is it a cool role? You’re like the 12th person that’s mentioned it. So, I obviously went online and looked and went, “Oh, wow. This guy is cool.” So, could I see myself if I had the opportunity? I’d jump at it. The “no” I said is just to let everyone know James hasn’t … This isn’t me lying to you. I’m so sorry I lied to you but I had to. I was under contract. They’d have arrested me, deported me … But this is not lying to you at all. There’s absolutely no links whatsoever to Brainiac. And I’m not lying. Okay?

Iwuji is no stranger to the comic book movie genre, as he previously played the High Evolutionary in Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023. He has also featured in one of the filmmaker’s DC projects, portraying Clemson Murn, who was revealed to be a ʙuттerfly named Ik Nobe Lok, in Peacemaker season 1.

What Chukwudi Iwuji’s Brainiac Comments Mean

Gunn has been coy about whether Brainiac will be in Man of Tomorrow, as the follow-up was only announced in early September. With that in mind, for the upcoming DC Studios movie, the casting process has most likely not even started at this point.

While he is clearly interested in playing Brainiac, it all depends on whether the DC Studios co-CEO wants to use him as the iconic DC villain, as they could end up having discussions about it down the line. If he ends up being the primary threat for the 2027 film, it would make him the biggest villain of all the upcoming DCU movies.

Our Take On Chukwudi Iwuji’s Brainiac Comments

It’s great to hear that Iwuji would be open to playing the classic DC villain, if the character is even in the Man of Tomorrow movie. However, it’s more likely that a new actor will be cast in the role, since the majority of Peacemaker season 1 is canon to the DCU, which technically means Iwuji has already appeared in this universe.

But there is a way around it; he could still play Brainiac, similar to how the Krypton TV show explored the character, through make-up and costuming. Hopefully, more details on who will be the main antagonist in Man of Tomorrow will emerge as they get closer to starting filming in 2026.