Lars Eidinger Reveals New Details About His Brainiac Role in DCU’s ‘Man of Tomorrow’

German actor Lars Eidinger has spoken about his upcoming role as Brainiac in James Gunn’s “Man of Tomorrow,” giving new insight into how he sees the DCU villain and why the part fits into the kind of characters he often plays.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Eidinger reflected on his career and the types of roles he is drawn to, including complex and often disturbing characters. He confirmed that he will play Brainiac in the upcoming DCU film, which is a sequel to “Superman” and is directed by James Gunn.

Speaking about the character, Eidinger connected Brainiac to larger ideas about storytelling, performance, and mythology. He said he sees the role as more than just a typical comic book villain and described it in almost symbolic terms.

“Brainiac is described as the incarnation of Satan,” he said, adding that he finds that level of symbolism almost Shakespearean in nature.

Eidinger explained that he does not approach roles like Brainiac as simple good-versus-evil figures. Instead, he is interested in the psychological and philosophical side of characters, especially those who exist outside normal moral boundaries. He suggested that even larger-than-life villains can reflect human ideas and behavior.

He also compared the style of superhero storytelling to theatre, pointing out that exaggerated characters and moral extremes can still carry emotional and philosophical weight when performed seriously. He referenced James Gunn’s earlier work and said he sees a similar tone in how these stories mix spectacle with deeper ideas.

For Eidinger, Brainiac fits into a pattern of roles where he explores power, control, and moral conflict. He has previously played historical figures and controversial characters, and he said he is interested in roles that challenge audiences rather than comfort them.

“Man of Tomorrow” will continue the story of Superman and Lex Luthor, who are forced to work together against Brainiac. The film is part of James Gunn’s new DC Universe and is currently in production, with a planned release in 2027.

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