James Gunn Clarifies Brainiac’s Man of Tomorrow Plot & DC Inspiration

James Gunn is setting the record straight on how Brainiac fits into Man of Tomorrow. After fan theories linked the film to a classic Superman storyline, Gunn stepped in to explain his actual creative process. The DC Studios co-head revealed what really inspired the villain’s portrayal, giving fans a clearer picture of the direction behind the highly anticipated project.

James Gunn on how he created Brainiac for Man of Tomorrow

Gunn recently responded to fan speculation on Threads after viewers wondered whether the famous “Panic in the Sky” comic arc shaped the upcoming story. The filmmaker shut down the theory directly. “Fun story but not really, no,” Gunn wrote, making it clear that the popular storyline was not a major blueprint for the film.

Instead of leaning heavily on one comic run, Gunn explained he took a broader research approach. He said, “I read almost every Brainiac story to put Brainiac in MoT together and used bits and pieces I thought worked best. But PitS wasn’t a key influence on the story.” His comment suggests a more customized version of the classic Superman villain rather than a direct adaptation.

The exchange quickly sparked positive fan reactions online. Several users praised Gunn for openly explaining his creative decisions and engaging directly with the DC community. Others used the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, including requests for underrated Brainiac comic recommendations and speculation about other characters potentially appearing in the film.

Man of Tomorrow is shaping up to be a big piece of the new DC Universe that James Gunn is building with Peter Safran. Plot specifics are still under wraps. But the rumored presence of Brainiac already points to a massive cosmic threat for Superman. Fans are also keeping a close eye on casting news and clues about which other heroes may enter the mix. Lars Eidinger is set to play Brainiac.

Meanwhile, the DC slate keeps moving. Supergirl is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide on June 26, 2026. The film stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El. Director Craig Gillespie and Gunn have both said the story unfolds entirely off Earth, placing Supergirl on a completely different planet for her adventure.

Source: Comingsoon.net