Who's Next on Superman's Punch List? My Wizard's Brew Says It's Not Who You Think.
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Jeff dives into the upcoming *Superman: Man of Tomorrow* sequel, dissecting the ambiguous teaser art featuring Lex Luthor and playfully speculating on who will be the main villain, ultimately concluding that Brainiac is the strongest, most compelling candidate given James Gunn's vision.
Right, blimey, folks, gather 'round the digital campfire because James Gunn just dropped a sequel announcement for *Superman: Man of Tomorrow*, due out in July 2027, and my wizard hat practically flew off my head with curiosity. We’re getting more Supes, which is always a good thing, but the big question swirling around like a poorly aimed magic missile is: who in the bloody blue hell is going to be the villain? This whole kerfuffle, mind you, got its start with some excellent musings over on Polygon, which really got my gears grinding on the possibilities of cinematic villainy.
Now, the first thing that caught my eye – and probably melted a few brain cells with its ambiguity – was the teasing piece of art by the legendary Jim Lee. It features Lex Luthor, all swagger in his Warsuit, with Superman leaning against him, a screwdriver in hand, sporting a frankly cheeky grin. What in the blazes is going on there, mate? You can read that image a couple of ways, can't you? Is it Lex, still smarting from his humiliation by Superman's proxy Ultraman in the first flick, ready for a direct dust-up? Or is that relaxed pose and shared frame hinting at an *unlikely team-up*? The idea of a reluctant alliance, forced together by some external, universe-threatening menace, has a certain chaotic appeal, doesn't it? Like when you accidentally summon a demon, but it turns out to be surprisingly good at doing your taxes.
Honestly, I reckon Gunn's not going to pull the same primary antagonist trick two movies in a row. That would be like finding out your loot crate only contained a slightly different shade of grey common item – a bit of a letdown. So, even if Lex is involved, he's probably either a co-conspirator, a temporarily allied rival, or setting up for an inevitable betrayal. Because let's be fair, the man loves a good betrayal more than a gamer loves an unexpected patch note. This points us squarely at the rather juicy probability that a *third party* is crashing the party.
So, who's it going to be? Let's consult my slightly singed crystal ball and rule out some of the usual suspects, shall we? This isn't just a list; it's a careful dissection of cinematic strategy, the kind that makes my cleverly observant tendencies tingle.
First up, **General Zod**. Ah, Zod. The primary bad guy in both *Superman II* and *Man of Steel*. He's got that scenery-chewing, evil Kryptonian vibe down pat, and could certainly resonate with Gunn's thematic ideas about Kryptonian colonization. But here’s the rub: Gunn’s explicitly titling his sequel *Man of Tomorrow*, which pretty much screams, 'We're going in a different direction from the Snyderverse, thanks very much!' Bringing back Zod, however compelling, would feel a bit like trying to run an old game on a brand-new engine without any upgrades – functional, but ultimately a step backward from what Gunn seems to be building. So, Zod? Nah, I don't reckon he's got the golden ticket this time.
Then there's **Darkseid**. Now, this chap is the ultimate big bad from Zack Snyder’s *Justice League*, a cosmic overlord of immense power. Again, the Snyderverse connection is a massive hurdle. Gunn's trying to forge a new path, not re-tread the old one, and Darkseid is arguably too emblematic of that previous era. Plus, deploying arguably the most powerful villain in the DC Universe in a *Superman* sequel seems a bit premature, doesn't it? That feels like a 'Justice League' level threat, a full-on raid boss, not a solo mission. Mongul, another powerful alien often likened to Marvel's Thanos (by the same artist, no less!), gets a similar dismissal from my magical scrying. Gunn's aiming for a more grounded Superman, and a cosmic brawl with a Thanos-lookalike might clash with that vision. Plus, the name 'Mongul' and its historical associations could clash with Gunn’s stated progressive vision for the character – something a clever wizard like myself definitely picks up on.
Next on the chopping block: **Doomsday**. Terrifying, monstrous, Superman's killer in the iconic 'Death of Superman' storyline. But... again, the Snyderverse association (a version appeared in *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice*) is a problem. More importantly, killing Superman this early in a new cinematic universe? That's not just emo, that's like launching a new MMO and having the tutorial boss instantly permakill you. Gunn's vision seems to be all about sunny storytelling, optimism, and the bright side of humanity. A 'death of Superman' arc would utterly clash with that tone. You don't build up a hero just to knock him down permanently in his second outing, especially not when you're trying to inject new life into the franchise. It's too early for such dark, heavy narrative baggage.
So, mate, that leaves us with one overwhelmingly favorite candidate, the one that truly excites my optimistically chaotic heart: **Brainiac**. Think about it. An artificial intelligence from outer space, a colossal intellect, a cosmic collector of worlds. The idea of pitting tech-bro Lex Luthor against an alien AI genius like Brainiac? That's got contemporary spice written all over it, hasn't it? It's like a Silicon Valley boardroom brawl escalated to intergalactic proportions. Brainiac's ties to Krypton – he famously stole the city of Kandor before the planet exploded – could also cleverly link back to the first *Superman* movie, giving Lex a tangible, Kryptonian-related threat to either exploit or team up against. Plus, it could tie into the upcoming *Supergirl* flick in 2026, building a cohesive narrative universe without just repeating old beats. It's a fresh, intellectually stimulating challenge that feels perfectly aligned with a 'Man of Tomorrow' theme. It's the kind of genuine innovation that gets me genuinely enthusiastic!
Of course, there's always the chance that the universe is playing a cruel trick and it'll just be Lex again, but I reckon that's less likely than me successfully turning my cat into a sentient, gaming-focused AI. We’ll find out in July 2027, but until then, my bets are firmly on the green-skinned intellectual giant.
*This spirited speculation was brewed from the excellent observations originally published on Polygon.*
Tags: Superman, DCU, Movie News, Villains, Film Theory
Original article: Polygon