James Gunn Responds Directly to Reports About Guardians Star Playing Superman 2’s Villain

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James Gunn has denied rumors that a former actor from the Guardians of the Galaxy films will be the villain in Superman 2. While Superman 2 (also known as Man of Tomorrow) has been in the works for a while, details about the main villain are just emerging. Recent reports indicate that the villain will be Brainiac, who will challenge Superman in the new DC Universe sequel.

Finding the right actor to play Brainiac is now a top priority for the upcoming 2027 superhero movie. Reports suggest DC Studios has talked to several big names, including Matt Smith and Sam Rockwell, about the part. An announcement about who will play Brainiac could happen very soon, indicating that James Gunn and his team have narrowed down their choices.

James Gunn recently addressed rumors about Dave Bautista potentially playing the villain in Superman 2. According to a report by insider Jeff Sneider, Bautista was the leading candidate for the role of Brainiac. However, Gunn has stated that this report is inaccurate.

James Gunn recently shared on Threads that he’s a big fan of Dave Bautista, but the two have never talked about Bautista appearing in Gunn’s film, The Suicide Squad (originally titled Man of Tomorrow).

Okay, let me clarify – I never confirmed Brainiac would be in the movie. I’m a big fan of Dave Bautista and have thought about potential roles for him in the DC Universe, but we’ve never talked about him being in ‘Man of Tomorrow,’ nor have we discussed it internally at DC. Also, none of the actors rumored to be considered have actually auditioned or even been discussed as possibilities.

“In general, I’m just letting the silly rumors go,” Gunn continued, “but Dave is a friend, and that makes it more irritating:”

I usually ignore ridiculous rumors, and this one isn’t even the strangest I’ve encountered lately. However, since Dave is a friend, it’s particularly annoying. I don’t think the person who posted this is the source of the information, though – it’s likely coming from somewhere else.

I’ve always been impressed with Dave Bautista’s work, and it’s exciting to see him potentially joining James Gunn’s DC Universe! They’ve collaborated before on the Guardians of the Galaxy films – Bautista was amazing as Drax, of course. And it seems Gunn really likes to bring actors he trusts from past projects into the mix, especially those from Guardians, which is a great sign for Bautista and other familiar faces.

Bradley Cooper, Pom Klementieff, and Michael Rooker all appeared in the original Superman movie, though their roles were relatively small. If Dave Bautista were cast as Brainiac in Man of Tomorrow, it would be the biggest role any former Guardians of the Galaxy actor has had in James Gunn’s new DC Universe.

There’s currently no news about who will play Brainiac in the upcoming movie. Superman 2: Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 9, 2027. Once again directed by James Gunn, the film will feature David Corenswet as Superman and will see him team up with Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult) to face a new enemy. You can find more details about Superman 2 here.

Will Dave Bautista End Up Playing Brainiac?

James Gunn frequently collaborates with the same actors and crew members. Once someone works with him, they often become a recurring part of his projects – it’s common to see familiar faces in his films.

Given recent developments, the latest report about Brainiac seems plausible, even if James Gunn is downplaying it. Plus, rumors suggest DC Studios was seeking a physically imposing actor for the villain in Superman 2, and Dave Bautista certainly fits that description.

Dave Bautista has become a surprisingly skilled actor, with successful roles in films like Dune and Blade Runner 2049. However, some people question whether he’s a good fit to play the villain Brainiac.

Although Brainiac is often portrayed as a physically imposing figure like Drax, he’s typically a cunning and serpentine genius – a role that doesn’t quite fit Dave Bautista’s previous performances. Bautista is certainly capable, but he hasn’t really had a chance to showcase that intellectual and subtly villainous side of himself yet.

James Gunn typically excels at casting, so if Dave Bautista is his choice for the role, fans should trust his judgment. But if not, we can be confident Gunn will find another fantastic actor to bring the same energy to the part.

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2025-12-14 21:36