Man of Tomorrow Script Tease Fuels Brainiac and Lex Luthor Team-Up Theories

James Gunn has once again managed to stir the pot of speculation around his ambitious Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. The filmmaker and DC Studios co-CEO recently shared an image of the film’s script on social media, a simple reveal that nonetheless ignited fierce debates among fans.

On the cover page was an anatomical illustration of a brain – a detail that many instantly interpreted as a deliberate nod to Brainiac, one of Superman’s most iconic foes.

Brainiac’s potential inclusion in the DCU has been a hot topic for years, and the brain sketch feels like too strong of a coincidence to dismiss. For long-time readers, Brainiac is more than just a villain with a clever name. He’s a cold, calculating alien intelligence obsessed with cataloging civilizations, often shrinking entire cities and imprisoning them as part of his twisted archive. His battles with Superman have frequently ranked among the most cerebral and devastating in the comics. Fans know that when Brainiac appears, the stakes are cosmic, and victory doesn’t come without sacrifice.

Gunn, however, has been characteristically cagey. Earlier this month, he teased that Superman, played by David Corenswet, and Lex Luthor, brought to life by Nicholas Hoult, will be forced into an uneasy alliance against a threat “much, much bigger” than their usual rivalry. While he declined to name that enemy, the imagery of the brain has many convinced Brainiac is the only logical candidate. After all, who else would necessitate a truce between two of DC’s greatest adversaries?

Of course, the DC Universe is hardly short on alternatives. Superman’s rogues gallery may not enjoy the mainstream fame of Batman’s, but it is no less dangerous. Doomsday, the monster who once killed the Man of Steel in comics, remains a fan favorite for raw destruction. Darkseid, the godlike tyrant of Apokolips, has loomed over DC lore for decades. Even figures like Bizarro and General Zod could make unexpected comebacks in the DCU’s evolving continuity. The brain illustration could also be nothing more than a symbolic gesture – perhaps emphasizing Lex Luthor’s brilliance and pivotal role in the upcoming film. Gunn himself remarked, “It’s as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie.” That single statement suggests Lex won’t just be a side player; he’ll be central to the narrative in ways audiences may not expect.

Still, fans can’t help but dream. The thought of finally seeing Brainiac in live action – rendered with the scale, intelligence, and menace that modern filmmaking could provide – is tantalizing. The previous DCU was often accused of ‘speedrunning’ through storylines, throwing iconic characters onto the screen without giving them the time to breathe. This time, audiences hope Gunn has the patience and focus to build something both epic and emotionally resonant.

Whatever the truth may be, the speculation is already doing its job: building anticipation. With Man of Tomorrow scheduled for release on July 9, 2027, fans have plenty of time to theorize, argue, and dissect every teaser Gunn drops. Whether that ominous brain illustration points to Brainiac, Lex’s genius, or something entirely unexpected, it’s clear that Gunn wants to keep fans guessing until the very last moment. And if history has shown us anything, it’s that nothing is ever straightforward in the world of Superman.