Brainiac in ‘Man of Tomorrow’: 8 Actors Who Could Play the Superman Villain

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Brainiac is a famous enemy of Superman, and after years of trying to feature him in a movie, it’s believed he’ll be the main villain in James Gunn’s upcoming Man of Tomorrow film. Although nothing is official, recent reports from makeup tests strongly suggest Brainiac will be the central antagonist in the next Superman movie. It’s unusual, but so far, there haven’t been any publicly known actors considered for the role.

Filming for the new Superman movie, Man of Tomorrow, is scheduled to begin in April 2026, so we can expect an announcement about who will play the villain Brainiac soon. This will be Brainiac’s first time appearing in a film, and it comes after the success of the recent Superman movie. Considering that, here are eight actors who would be a great fit for the role of Brainiac, not just in Man of Tomorrow, but potentially in future DC Universe films as well.

8
Yura Borisov


Neon

James Gunn, choosing actors for the new DC Universe, is focusing on talented performers rather than famous names. One actor Gunn should consider is Yura Borisov. The Russian-born actor recently gained recognition in America with his Oscar-nominated role in the film Anora. He’s also starring as Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder of OpenAI, in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming movie, Artificial.

Dimitar Borisov’s portrayal of Igor in Anora was particularly impressive; he effortlessly shifted between wild, funny scenes and more serious, grounding moments. While the role of Brainiac will probably involve extensive makeup, Borisov’s captivating eyes would remain a noticeable feature. Casting Borisov as Brainiac would be a brilliant decision, aligning with James Gunn’s pattern of choosing fresh faces for key roles in the DC Universe.

7
Jude Law


Disney+

Jude Law was once considered for the role of Brainiac in a potential sequel to Superman Returns, but that project never happened. Now, two decades later, he’d be an excellent choice to play the famous villain in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. Despite previously appearing as Yon-Rogg in Marvel’s Captain Marvel, actors have moved between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCU before.

A major strength for Law is his voice, which naturally lends itself to roles portraying powerful and authoritative characters. This subtle air of intelligence and superiority fits Brainiac’s personality perfectly. With the classic green makeup, he’d look like he stepped right out of the comics, and he’s also a remarkably skilled actor. While he might be the most predictable choice, sometimes the obvious option is the best one.

6
Ncuti Gatwa


Disney+

It’s become common for actors who’ve played the Doctor in Doctor Who to later play villains in comic book movies and shows. We’ve seen Christopher Eccleston as Malekith in Thor: The Dark World, David Tennant as Kilgrave in Jessica Jones, Matt Smith as Milo in Morbius, and Peter Capaldi as The Thinker in The Suicide Squad. Now that Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Doctor is over, many fans think Ncuti Gatwa, the newest Doctor, would be perfect for the role of Brainiac.

Brainiac and the Doctor share similarities – both are alien travelers visiting planets across the universe. However, they have opposite approaches: the Doctor safeguards civilizations, while Brainiac destroys them and collects their knowledge. Given Ncuti Gatwa’s portrayal of a friendly and engaging Doctor, it would be fantastic to see him take on a contrasting role as the cold, calculating, and villainous Brainiac. This could be a great opportunity for him to showcase his range and further his career after leaving Doctor Who.

5
Andrew Scott


Netflix

Andrew Scott is well-known for playing villains, including Moriarty in Sherlock and roles in both Spectre and Victor Frankenstein in 2015. However, he’s much more than just a villain actor. Recent performances in the series Ripley and the film All of Us Strangers have earned him widespread critical praise and awards. He’s set to appear in Blue Moon and the next Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man, in 2025.

Although Andrew Scott doesn’t physically resemble the comic book version of Brainiac, his distinctive, often condescending voice is perfect for the role. It’s easy to imagine him verbally dominating even powerful characters like Superman or arrogant figures like Lex Luthor. He might not be the typical choice for Brainiac, but if you read the comic dialogue with his voice in mind, the casting makes perfect sense.

4
Christian Borle


NBC

Christian Borle is an award-winning actor, having won two Tony Awards. He’s currently recognized for his voice work as Vox in the popular Prime Video series, Hazbin Hotel. Borle has a strong background in Broadway musicals, including Some Like It Hot, Mary Poppins, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He’s also appeared on television in shows like Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life, Evil, and the recent CBS series, Elsbeth.

It’s easy to underestimate actors from musical theater when considering roles in intense comic book adaptations, but consider Hugh Jackman – he was primarily known for Oklahoma! before becoming Wolverine. The latest season of Hazbin Hotel really highlighted Josh Borle’s talent; his character, Vox, was both charming and genuinely menacing. Borle’s performance in Hazbin Hotel proves he’d be a great asset to any movie, and he could bring a unique and compelling energy to the role of Brainiac.

3
Bill Skarsgård


20th Century Studios

Following Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Pennywise, many fans have suggested him for the role of the Joker. However, Skarsgård would be a fantastic choice to play the DC villain Brainiac. At 6’4″, he’s the same height as Superman actor David Corenswet, creating a strong physical presence, and he’s proven he can handle roles requiring both intelligence and intimidating looks. Skarsgård is already experienced with extensive makeup and prosthetics, having transformed for roles in both the It films and Nosferatu, where he acted alongside Nicholas Hoult, who is playing Lex Luthor.

Bill Skarsgård proved his incredible range in both Nosferatu and It, transforming himself completely with makeup and voice acting. He has a knack for giving each character a distinct and memorable voice, which is exactly what Brainiac needs to stand out from other villains, like a green-skinned Lex Luthor, for a wider audience. Casting Skarsgård as Brainiac would be a fantastic addition to the DC Universe and would be a great opportunity to showcase his talent after underused roles in films like Deadpool 2 and Eternals.

2
Jeremy Strong


HBO

Jeremy Strong is an award-winning actor best known for his portrayal of Kendall Roy in the popular HBO series, Succession. He’s received a Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for this role. While already a respected actor with appearances in films like Lincoln and Zero Dark Thirty, and TV shows such as The Good Wife and Masters of Sex, Succession propelled him to become one of the most sought-after actors in the industry. He recently earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Roy Cohn in The Apprentice, and is slated to play Mark Zuckerberg in an upcoming sequel to The Social Network, titled The Social Reckoning.

I’ve always been captivated by Jeremy Strong’s dedication to his roles – he really becomes the characters he plays. I was a little surprised to hear he’d be involved in a James Gunn project, since Gunn usually likes actors who are great team players, but Strong’s work on Succession proved he can absolutely collaborate and even poke fun at himself, which is fantastic. In fact, Gunn himself shared a video essay by Jenna Anderson called “We Need to Talk About Brainiac,” and it made a really compelling case for why Strong would be perfect as the classic Brainiac – and honestly, I couldn’t agree more! It’s an inspired choice.

1
David Strathairn


Universal Pictures

David Strathairn is a remarkably talented character actor. He built a strong career with roles in films like Dolores Claiborne, L.A. Confidential, and The Notorious Bettie Page, and gained even wider recognition with his Best Actor nomination for playing Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck (2005). He’s been consistently working ever since, appearing in a diverse range of films, including The Bourne Ultimatum, Godzilla, and Nomadland. More recently, he lent his voice to the villain Milton Lynxley in Zootopia 2. Many believe casting David Strathairn as Brainiac would be a truly inspired choice for the supervillain role.

David Strathairn is a highly respected actor, even earning an Academy Award nomination. He’s an unexpected choice to play a supervillain, which is precisely what makes him so interesting. He could bring the same weight and seriousness to the role of Brainiac that Gene Hackman famously brought to Lex Luthor in the original Superman movie. Strathairn’s deep, authoritative voice would create a powerful and commanding Brainiac, paying tribute to both Corey Burton’s voice work in Superman: The Animated Series and Jeffrey Combs’ performance in Injustice 2. Fans have been eager to see Brainiac brought to life on screen, and Strathairn might just be the perfect actor for the part. Hopefully, James Gunn will consider him for the role.

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2025-12-02 16:25