James Gunn has once again fueled speculation that Brainiac is the big villain of the DCU.
The writer-director shared an image of the Man of Tomorrow script cover on social media, featuring anatomical artwork of a human head and brain.
Gunn captioned the post: “😈🤝😇 #MoT 7.9.27” — a devil and angel handshake emoji with the release date for the Superman sequel, July 9, 2027.
Brainiac Hints?
The imagery of the exposed brain immediately caught the attention of fans, who believe it’s a nod to Brainiac.
The villain has long been rumored for Gunn’s DCU, and the director recently confirmed that Man of Tomorrow will see Superman and Lex Luthor forced to work together against a “much bigger threat.”
The caption’s emojis could also be a clue — Superman and Lex (angel and devil) teaming up, as Gunn himself teased, with Brainiac being the reason they’re forced into alliance.
Superman and Lex Unite
Gunn told The Hollywood Reporter that the sequel is “as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie,” with Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor sharing the spotlight alongside David Corenswet’s Clark Kent. Together, the two will face a bigger enemy that fans are convinced is Brainiac.
Previous rumors even suggested Brainiac was set to appear in a post-credit scene in Superman, which may have been shifted into Supergirl (June 26, 2026). That film’s cosmic setting would make a natural entry point for the villain before leading into Man of Tomorrow.
The Superman Saga
Gunn has described his plans as a “Superman Saga,” with multiple stories connecting Superman’s world to the larger DCU. With filming expected to begin in April 2026, fans won’t have to wait long to learn if Brainiac is indeed the villain threatening Earth.
Supergirl arrives June 26, 2026. Man of Tomorrow hits theaters July 9, 2027.
