A new Man of Tomorrow set video has hit the net, and it may reveal Brainiac’s first major threat against Metropolis.
The footage shows David Corenswet suited up as Superman standing over and punching Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, who is down on the street in the green Warsuit.
Superman strikes Lex as the scene plays out, but the bigger reveal may come from what fans near the set reportedly overheard.
According to fans who were nearby, a voice believed to be Brainiac could be heard issuing an ultimatum to Metropolis:
“Attention, citizens of Metropolis: I am your overlord. If you do not hand over Lex Luthor, I will blow up the city.”
The voice also reportedly says the city has 12 hours to reply.
If accurate, the scene suggests Brainiac isn’t just attacking Earth. He wants Lex Luthor.
For more on the film, including every set video and filming update, see our complete Man of Tomorrow guide.
Brainiac Demands Lex Luthor
The reported Brainiac threat gives the latest Man of Tomorrow set footage a lot more weight.
Instead of a random Superman and Lex fight, the scene may be tied directly to Brainiac’s arrival in Metropolis. If Brainiac is demanding Lex be handed over, that could explain why Lex is already in the Warsuit and why Superman gets dragged into the middle of it.
It also raises the obvious question: What does Brainiac want with Lex?
Lex may have stolen something. He may have created something. He may know something Brainiac wants. Or Brainiac may see Lex as Earth’s top mind and a threat (better and bigger than Superman???), rival, or useful piece in whatever plan he has for Metropolis.
Whatever the answer, the set video makes Lex look central to the sequel’s conflict.
Superman Beats Down Lex In The Warsuit
The new footage shows Superman standing over Lex after the Warsuit ends up on the street.
Superman then beats down Lex while Lex is still inside the armor. It’s not clear if this is a real fight between the two, a misunderstanding, or part of a larger action scene involving Brainiac.
That matters because Man of Tomorrow is expected to feature Superman and Lex forced into an uneasy alliance against Brainiac. So this moment could happen before the team-up, after Lex does something that gets everyone in trouble, or during a chaotic scene where Superman has to stop Lex from making things worse.
Either way, the footage gives fans the first look at Superman physically clashing with Lex in the Warsuit, and Superman winning.
Set Videos Show Lex Getting Blasted Out Of A Theater
The new Superman footage follows another Man of Tomorrow set video that appeared to show Lex getting blasted out of a theater and launched onto the street.
The scene was filmed outside a theater marked Don Giovanni, reportedly in downtown Atlanta. According to the X user who posted the footage, Lex gets blasted out through a hole before landing face up outside.
The same user also posted video of the stunt team practicing the scene before the production used the actual Lex Warsuit.
James Gunn has confirmed the Warsuit is practical, not just CGI, which makes the set footage stand out even more. The suit is really there on set, and it looks like Gunn is putting it through a full action sequence.
Man of Tomorrow Cast And Release Info
Man of Tomorrow is written and directed by James Gunn and is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 9, 2027.
The cast includes David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl, Lars Eidinger as Brainiac, Aaron Pierre as John Stewart / Green Lantern, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer, Adria Arjona as Maxima, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Matthew Lillard, and Andre Royo.
