Man of Tomorrow Villain Hints: Brainiac or Mongul?

New casting details for James Gunn's next Superman movie, Man Of Tomorrow, give us some big clues about who Superman and Lex Luthor will be facing off against!

TL;DR

Man of Tomorrow, hitting theaters July 9, 2027, will see Superman and Lex Luthor team up against a common, physically imposing foe.
Casting calls for the villain mention heavy prosthetics and makeup, pointing towards iconic DC baddies Brainiac or Mongul.
With production starting in April 2026, we might get official confirmation soon on who's challenging the Man of Steel next!

Hold onto your capes, DC fans! The buzz around James Gunn’s highly anticipated Man of Tomorrow just got a whole lot louder. As the fourth feature film from the relaunched DC Studios, this movie is set to dive deeper into the new DC Universe, bringing back David Corenswet as the Man of Steel himself, Clark Kent/Superman, and Nicholas Hoult as his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor.

But here’s the kicker: these two bitter rivals aren’t going to be duking it out against each other. Instead, they’ll be teaming up against a much bigger, badder threat! The question on everyone’s mind has been, “Who could possibly be scary enough to make Superman and Lex Luthor work together?” Well, new casting details are giving us some pretty strong hints, and it’s narrowed down to two major contenders: Brainiac or Mongul.

Unpacking the Villain’s Mysterious Casting Description

According to sources speaking to Nexus Point News, the casting call for Man of Tomorrow’s antagonist has some very specific requirements. We're talking about a role that will involve "heavy use of prosthetics and makeup" and is looking for actors with a "strong build and stature." This isn't your average villain — this is someone who needs to make a physical impression, and whose appearance will be heavily transformed.

These details are fueling fan theories faster than a speeding bullet, and for good reason! Both Brainiac and Mongul perfectly fit this description. Let’s break down why each of them makes a compelling case for being Superman’s next big challenge.

The Case for Brainiac: The Collector of Worlds

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Brainiac has long been a top-tier villain for Superman, known for his chilling intellect and signature green skin. If you’re bringing this alien menace to the big screen, you absolutely need extensive prosthetics and makeup to get his look right. Created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, Brainiac first appeared in Action Comics #242 back in 1958. He’s a super-intelligent alien from the planet Colu, boasting a legendary 12th-level intellect.

What makes Brainiac truly terrifying is his obsession: he travels the cosmos, shrinking and stealing entire cities to add to his twisted collection. This kind of destructive, universe-spanning threat would certainly be enough to force Superman and Lex Luthor to put aside their differences. Plus, fans have been "pegging" Brainiac as the next big threat for a while, and James Gunn himself might have even teased it. He once shared an image of a finished Superman 2 script with a cross-section of a human brain on its cover. Coincidence? Maybe. But it definitely got people talking!

The Case for Mongul: The Warworld Warlord

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On the other side of the ring, we have Mongul, a powerful alien warlord who rules the gladiatorial planet known as Warworld. Created by Len Wein and Jim Starlin (who also created Marvel’s Thanos, by the way!), Mongul debuted in DC Comics Presents #27 in 1980. He’s known for his imposing size and often depicted with orangish-yellow skin, which would also necessitate significant makeup and prosthetics.

Mongul is one of Superman’s most physically challenging foes, possessing immense superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, and near invulnerability. He’s not just brawn, though; he’s also incredibly intelligent and a skilled hand-to-hand combatant. A compelling argument for Mongul comes from FandomWire, which suggests he might be a "better choice" for Man of Tomorrow at this stage in Superman’s cinematic journey. Brainiac, they argue, might be too "nigh-indestructible" for an early outing with David Corenswet’s Superman. Mongul offers a formidable, but potentially more relatable, physical challenge for the Man of Steel to overcome as he grows into his role.

Adding another layer to Mongul's potential appearance is the fact that his sister, Mongal, already showed up in James Gunn’s 2021 film, The Suicide Squad, portrayed by Maylin Ng, before being tragically killed off. This could provide Mongul with a very personal reason to attack Earth, setting up a truly epic confrontation.

"It’s as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie."

— James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO and Director of Man of Tomorrow

The Unlikely Alliance: What James Gunn Has Said

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Regardless of who the villain turns out to be, one thing is clear: it’s going to take more than just Superman to stop them. James Gunn has previously confirmed that Man of Tomorrow will feature an unprecedented team-up between the hero and his greatest rival. Gunn told The Howard Stern Show that the film will explore Superman and Lex Luthor having to "work together to fight a bigger threat." He even added, "And it’s more complicated than that, but that’s a big part of it. It’s as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie."

This quote alone tells us the threat will be massive, something that transcends the traditional hero-villain dynamic between Superman and Luthor. This "allegiance-breaking team-up" points to a villain of cosmic scale, capable of challenging not just Superman's strength, but also Luthor's genius.

Other DCU Heroes Who Might Join the Fight (Rumors!)

While the main villain remains under wraps, rumors are swirling about other characters who might make an appearance in Man of Tomorrow. Nexus Point News (NPN) has exclusively reported unverified rumors that Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, Jason Momoa’s Lobo, and John Cena’s Peacemaker could have roles in the film. Adding to the speculation, Isabela Merced, who plays Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl, hinted at her return with a cryptic "See you soon" on Instagram.

These additions, if true, would further cement Man of Tomorrow as a pivotal moment in the new DCU, showcasing how various characters are interconnected and ready to face large-scale threats together.

Connecting to the Broader DC Universe

Man of Tomorrow follows the successful launch of the new DCU with the first Superman film, which hit theaters on July 11, 2025. That movie, with a $225 million budget, earned an impressive $616 million in its global theatrical run. It introduced us to a host of new characters, including Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, and more, alongside Hawkgirl and Supergirl.

The threads of the storyline introduced in that first Superman movie will continue to unravel in other DCU projects. For instance, elements from Superman are being explored in season 2 of Peacemaker, which recently concluded. Looking ahead, HBO's Lanterns and a standalone Supergirl project are already in post-production, and Clayface is currently shooting in Liverpool. All of this indicates a meticulously planned, interconnected universe where Man of Tomorrow will play a crucial role.

What’s Next for This High-Flying Sequel?

With production for Man of Tomorrow scheduled to begin in Atlanta in April 2026 and shoot through the summer, we can expect more official news and possibly even a villain reveal in the coming months. Warner Bros. Discovery is set to release the film on July 9, 2027, making it a highly anticipated entry in the DCU calendar. Until then, the debate between Brainiac and Mongul will surely rage on! Who do you think will ultimately stand against Superman and Lex Luthor?

FAQ: Your Top Questions About Man of Tomorrow

When Does Man of Tomorrow Release in Theaters?

Man of Tomorrow is currently scheduled to be released in United States theaters on July 9, 2027, by Warner Bros. Discovery.

Who is Directing and Writing Man of Tomorrow?

James Gunn, the co-CEO and chairman of DC Studios, is set to write, direct, and produce the film. Peter Safran will also produce.

Will Lex Luthor be the Main Villain in Man of Tomorrow?

While Nicholas Hoult reprises his role as Lex Luthor and will serve as an antagonist, he will also team up with Superman to face a bigger, common threat. So, he won't be the main villain in the traditional sense.