Superman: James Gunn Could Bring Brainiac To Life

by

Superman: James Gunn Could Bring Brainiac To Life

Key Takeaways

  • Alan Tudyk’s casting in James Gunn‘s Superman film hints at the possible inclusion of the iconic DC Comics villain, Brainiac.
  • Brainiac, a powerful villain with a long history of fighting Superman in the comics, could bring a chilling presence to the DCU.
  • The film’s focus on high-tech characters like Lex Luthor and Mr. Terrific also indicates a potential connection to Brainiac’s storyline.

As a seasoned gamer and comic book enthusiast, I can’t help but get excited about the latest developments in the DC Universe (DCU). The upcoming James Gunn’s Superman film promises to be a game-changer, with its star-studded cast and intriguing plot lines.

As Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) remains the leader in the superhero movie scene, the eagerly awaited premiere of director James Gunn’s “Superman” film will mark the beginning of the new DC Universe (DCU). This initial series of films is titled “Gods and Monsters,” and the “Superman” movie will unveil actor David Cornsweet’s portrayal of Superman, along with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Holt as Lex Luthor, and a talented ensemble breathing life into various cherished and lesser-known DC Comics characters. However, a recent casting decision has sparked speculation among fans about the possibility of an unexpected DC Comics villain joining the DCU for the first time: Brainiac.

In a recent casting announcement, renowned sci-fi actor Alan Tudyk (known for his roles in “Firefly” and “Star Wars”) has been chosen for an unspecified role in an upcoming film. Although the movie already boasts several DC Comics characters, there’s speculation that Alan could be bringing to life a particularly menacing figure: Brainiac. With his cunning intellect, calculating nature, and ruthless demeanor, Brainiac has long been a terrifying presence in the DC Comics universe. If the film’s teaser images, including those from the official poster, along with the inclusion of other characters utilizing nanotechnology and advanced robotics, are any indication, James Gunn’s “Superman” movie could be introducing Brainiac to the DC Universe.

Brainiac in the Comics

In comic books, Brainiac, also recognized as Vril Dox, was formerly the ruler of a portion of planet Colu, existing in an advanced form of artificial intelligence. When he initially appeared in the DC universe and Superman folklore, he had come to Earth with technology intended to diminish cities with the goal of restoring his previous ruled planet. However, when Metropolis found itself among these cities, Superman intervened. Subsequently, it was revealed that Brainiac had also shrunk the Kryptonian city of Kandor. This ongoing narrative would often depict Superman working to repair the destruction inflicted upon the last remaining inhabitants of his home world.

An alien with a 12th-level intellect and green skin serves as a formidable antagonist, having spent much time battling Superman and leaving a troubled legacy among his fellow Coluans and future Brainiacs, including the Legion of Superheroes’ Brainiac-5. In the comic books, Brainiac is often found collaborating with Lex Luthor, two cunning villains who harbor resentment towards Superman. Their shared intelligence frequently led to mutual deceit. Brainiac’s ambitions extended beyond simply conquering the universe; he aimed to enhance his own physique to surpass Superman and reign supreme across all cosmic realms.

In contemporary comic book stories, Brainiac grappled with mortality and a fresh form of evolution that encompassed emotions, resulting in the saga known as the House of Brainiac. During this narrative, the Brainiac Queen emerged, and Lobo’s people, the Czarnians, were utilized due to their survival following Lobo’s annihilation, as Brainiac had miniaturized their home. The climactic confrontation between Superman, his family, Lobo, and Brainiac culminated in what appeared to be the villain’s demise; however, given Brainiac’s history of surviving such events, it’s safe to assume this is far from the final chapter in his story.

Brainiac in the DCU

Superman: James Gunn Could Bring Brainiac To Life

The movie’s plot includes numerous characters and story elements that strongly imply Brainiac as a viable villain. Lex Luthor’s presence in the film is particularly telling, as his portrayal aligns closely with his comic book character. If history were to mirror the comics, it wouldn’t be surprising if Luthor collaborated or communicated with Brainiac to gain more knowledge and power against Superman. Additionally, the movie features Mr. Terrific, a tech-savvy character who has ventured through multiple universes, built his heroic career on technology, and even established Holt Industries, dominating the market with his invention, the T-Spheres. This suggests that a partnership or alliance between Brainiac and Mr. Terrific isn’t entirely implausible.

Among these two prominent figures, a third character could potentially introduce a fresh origin tale that links her to Brainiac, also known as The Engineer, specifically Angela Spica. This character belongs to The Authority and is poised to appear as one of the adversaries in an upcoming Superman movie. Fascinated by heroes since childhood, she inherited the research of the deceased original Engineer, which encompassed human-machine amalgamation. In her quest for power, she replaced her blood with a metallic fluid obtained from his studies, thus gaining machine-related abilities such as nanotechnology and liquid metal skin. It’s possible that her background might be revised to suggest she gained powers through work at Lexcorp or by possessing a fragment of Brainiac himself.

Alan Tudyk’s casting is set to introduce a fresh aspect to the forthcoming Superman movie. With an extensive background in portraying both DC Comics heroes and antagonists, as well as embodying the malevolent Mr Nobody on DC’s Doom Patrol, the actor is no novice when it comes to the realm of DC Comics. If he were to be playing any character, a primarily CGI and vocal performance as Brainiac would fit perfectly. The villain could make his debut in the first Superman film, while being developed for future projects, thereby enabling him to flourish in this initial installment of the new DC Universe. We’ll have to wait until 2025 when James Gunn’s Superman movie premieres to confirm this speculation.

Read More

2024-10-02 21:03