Brainiac may be the primary villain in Man of Tomorrow, but Lex Luthor remains an essential threat

Image: DC Comics

Last September, filmmaker James Gunn ignited fan expectations by unveiling plans for Man of Tomorrow, a direct sequel to his upcoming Superman. The narrative promises a precarious alliance between Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor and David Corenswet’s Last Son of Krypton as they unite against a monumental adversary. Following months of intense speculation, Gunn confirmed on Dec. 20 that the legendary cosmic collector Brainiac will serve as the antagonist, portrayed by German actor Lars Eidinger (Babylon Berlin).

Through social media, Gunn expressed his admiration for the character’s multifaceted history, citing diverse inspirations: from the city-shrinking explorer introduced by Otto Binder in 1958’s Action Comics #242 to the “surprisingly scary” skeletal automaton reimagined by Marv Wolfman and Gil Kane in the 1980s. He also acknowledged various animated incarnations and the “truly creepy” version featured in Absolute Superman. While these references offer a glimpse into his creative mindset, the inclusion of Lex Luthor suggests a more complex dynamic than a standard alien invasion.

Luthor and Brainiac share a storied and often antagonistic bond. Their partnership dates back to a 1964 Silver Age adventure by Cary Bates and Edmond Hamilton, where they famously incapacitated Superman with a “coma-ray.” Decades later, the duo joined forces alongside a legion of villains during the reality-shattering Crisis on Infinite Earths event.

Image: Warner Bros. Animation

In modern animation, their relationship has been even more volatile. In My Adventures with Superman, Luthor utilizes Task Force X resources to repel Brainiac’s forces. Conversely, in the seminal Superman: The Animated Series, Brainiac infiltrates LexCorp’s infrastructure, subjugating Luthor and forcing him to construct a new physical vessel. Their symbiotic corruption reached a climax in Justice League Unlimited, where Brainiac infected Luthor with nanites, granting him augmented strength before attempting a full cosmic fusion. This pursuit of power eventually led Luthor to accidentally revive Darkseid, necessitating a reluctant truce with the Justice League.

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

Perhaps the most compelling blueprint for Man of Tomorrow is Joshua Williamson’s 2024 House of Brainiac arc. This storyline depicts an incarcerated Luthor navigating a global invasion, shifting his allegiances between the alien conqueror and the Man of Steel as the situation demands. Notably, the involvement of Lobo and Supergirl in this comic run aligns with their confirmed presence in the upcoming Supergirl film, suggesting a broader narrative connective tissue.

While Luthor masquerades as a champion for humanity, his actions are invariably fueled by narcissism and a hunger for control. In Man of Tomorrow, his collaboration with Superman will likely be a marriage of convenience—one that he will undoubtedly sabotage the moment his personal interests are secured.

Source: Polygon