James Gunn Denies Bautista Brainiac Rumor As Jeff Sneider Claims it Never Came From Him

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The reports that Dave Bautista, known for his role in Guardians of the Galaxy, would be cast as Brainiac in James Gunn’s new Superman: Man of Tomorrow movie have been definitively proven false – and the situation has become quite heated.

Following James Gunn’s denial of rumors that Dave Bautista was up for the role of Brainiac, Jeff Sneider – a well-known industry insider originally credited with starting the speculation – used X (formerly Twitter) to clarify he hadn’t been the source. He also publicly criticized CBR Deputy Editor Sean O’Connell in the process.

Sneider’s reaction continues a now-common trend: a notable rumor appears, James Gunn quickly denies it, and then people argue about where the rumor originally came from.

Sneider Pushes Back — And Attacks

On X, Sneider said he didn’t start the rumor about David Bautista potentially playing in Man of Tomorrow. He explained that he only commented that the idea seemed like something Bautista would do, based on what he’d heard from others. He stressed that he hasn’t personally heard anything about casting for the project.

However, Sneider didn’t stop there.

I didn’t start the rumor about Dave Bautista being involved with Brainiac. I’m just happy Sean O’Connell is a writer, even though he seems to have gotten his information wrong. All I said was that, based on what others were reporting, the voice sounded like Bautista. I haven’t heard any official news about the casting for ‘Man of Tomorrow’ myself.

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) December 14, 2025

Honestly, it really bothered me when he went after Sean O’Connell like that. He straight-up questioned Sean’s credibility and said he “can’t even get his facts straight,” which was a pretty bold move considering Sean works at CBR. It instantly felt like a direct shot, and everyone noticed.

James Gunn Has a History With Sneider Rumors

This is not the first time Gunn and Sneider have publicly clashed over DC-related reporting.

James Gunn previously dismissed a report by Jeff Sneider claiming Robin would appear in The Batman Part II, calling it untrue. Sneider responded with frustration, arguing Gunn shouldn’t have publicly addressed the rumor in the first place, and also objecting to the way Gunn corrected it.

Okay, so there’s been a ton of chatter online about The Batman 2, and honestly, it’s all just rumors. James Gunn posted on Threads basically saying people need to chill. He says only about six people have even seen a script, and nobody—seriously, nobody—outside of a tiny group of four knows what the story’s even about. It’s all made up or just people guessing, according to him. As a movie fan, I’m used to leaks, but this is a whole other level of secrecy!

Jimbo’s response felt like a dodge – he didn’t exactly say ‘no’ about Robin being involved. It would be so much easier for him to just confirm or deny it directly. It’s obvious why he’s avoiding a clear answer, though…

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) August 8, 2025

Sneider responded, accusing Jimbo of avoiding a direct answer. He pointed out that Jimbo could easily state Robin wasn’t included in the script, suggesting there’s a reason Jimbo is hesitant to do so.

Gunn’s Approach: Public, Blunt, and Final

Gunn’s response to the Brainiac speculation was unusually direct, even by his standards.

Okay, so James Gunn just addressed all the rumors about Dave Bautista playing Brainiac in Superman: Man of Tomorrow! He started by jokingly pointing out he never confirmed Brainiac was even in the movie. But he’s a huge fan of Dave and has tons of ideas for him in the DCU. However, they haven’t talked about any role for Dave in the new Superman movie, and honestly, none of the actors people are speculating about have even auditioned or been considered – not a single one! It’s all just speculation right now.

I usually don’t pay attention to ridiculous rumors, and this one isn’t even the strangest I’ve encountered lately. However, because 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 seems to be coming from somewhere else.

Honestly, when James Gunn said that, he didn’t just squash one little rumor – he completely shut down an entire wave of guessing and theories. It was so definitive, there’s really no way to spin it or take it back. It felt like a full stop on the whole conversation.

That level of clarity leaves reporters and scoopers with two choices: double down, or retreat.

The Bigger Picture

The recent issue with James Gunn, nicknamed the ‘Bautista Brainiac,’ shows a new challenge for how Hollywood news gets reported. When studio leaders connect directly with fans and the press on social media, the old ways of getting information—and the rumors that come with them—are becoming more visible and can be quickly challenged.

Sneider seems to have posted this to defend himself against a false rumor. Gunn’s message is simple: just because a rumor spreads doesn’t make it true.

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2025-12-15 18:58