Adria Arjona’s Intense Training Regimen Fuels Fresh Wonder Woman Speculation for ‘Man of Tomorrow’
James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe has moved at a breakneck pace since “Superman” hit theaters last year, and its follow-up film has quickly become one of the most closely tracked productions in the superhero space. Every new detail about “Man of Tomorrow,” from villain reveals to supporting cast additions, has sent fans into speculation overdrive about how Gunn plans to expand his cinematic vision of Metropolis.
Much of that speculation has centered on one particular casting mystery that’s refused to fully resolve itself. Back in April, Adria Arjona was confirmed to be joining the sequel following an intense, multi-actress screen-testing process that also included Eva De Dominici, Sydney Chandler, and Grace Van Patten, but DC Studios has never officially confirmed which character she’s actually playing.
That uncertainty hasn’t stopped Arjona from visibly preparing for the role, and new photos of the actress mid-workout have reignited chatter about what kind of physical transformation she’s undergoing for the part. The images, showing Arjona in workout gear looking noticeably fit ahead of production, arrive as fans continue debating whether she landed the comic book role of Maxima, an alien queen tied to Superman’s mythology, or something else entirely, including persistent rumors she could be stepping into the DCU’s version of Wonder Woman.
Trade reports at the time of her casting leaned toward Maxima, with Variety and The Hollywood Reporter both indicating that character was the target of the extensive audition process Arjona ultimately won. Still, outlets like The Hollywood Reporter noted DC Studios declined to comment on the specific role, leaving room for the persistent Wonder Woman theories to keep circulating among fans who’ve long argued Arjona would be perfect for Diana Prince.
Gunn himself has waded into the casting chaos before, publicly pushing back on earlier reporting about the audition process. He called out coverage naming potential Maxima candidates as “shoddy and incorrect” on Threads, adding that every major role in the film had “already been filled” at the time those reports circulated, though that denial came before Arjona’s casting was ultimately confirmed weeks later.
Speaking about what drew her to the project during a San Diego Comic-Con appearance, Arjona made clear the decision wasn’t purely about the character itself.
She told Collider that joining Gunn and DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran’s world felt like a homecoming rather than just another blockbuster gig, explaining, “In the process of auditioning, they put me through it even as a family member and made me earn it,” adding, “when you decide to join a universe or join a family, the people are the most important, and I love them to pieces. I’ve known them forever. They gave me my first shot and then this shot, so I’m so excited.”
That personal history traces back to Gunn’s 2016 film “The Belko Experiment,” which marked one of Arjona’s earliest genre roles. She’s since built a diverse résumé spanning “Hit Man,” “Andor,” and “Splitsville,” giving her the kind of range that’s made her a fan favorite pick for major franchise roles well before this casting news broke.
“Man of Tomorrow” finds David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor forced into an uneasy alliance to take down Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger, with the returning ensemble including Rachel Brosnahan, Skyler Gisondo, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, and Nathan Fillion. Aaron Pierre is also set to reprise his “Lanterns” role as John Stewart within the film, further tying together DC Studios’ expanding shared universe.
Arjona confirmed during her Comic-Con conversation that filming hadn’t yet begun as of that appearance, meaning her visible training regimen is likely early preparation ahead of a production start still to come. With “Man of Tomorrow” currently slated for a July 9, 2027 release, fans have plenty of time left to keep guessing exactly which iconic DC character Arjona is quietly bulking up to play.
Who do you think Adria Arjona is playing in ‘Man of Tomorrow’?
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