SUPERMAN: Were Brainiac, Bizarro And This Villain Considered Before James Gunn Landed On Lex Luthor?

SUPERMAN: Were Brainiac, Bizarro And This Villain Considered Before James Gunn Landed On Lex Luthor?

Before James Gunn settled on Lex Luthor and Ultraman as the villains of Superman, he's recently confirmed that at least one other villain was in the running.

By MarkJulian - Jul 19, 2025 10:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman
Source: Happy Sad Confused Podcast

It seems there was at least one villain considered for Superman before Lex Luthor was selected. In a recent interview, James Gunn confirmed that Brainiac, was indeed in the running, at least initially.

"Brainiac was considered, yeah," admitted Gunn when asked about if any other Superman foes were in the running to be in the film during the early stages of development.

Brainiac ranks among Superman’s most formidable adversaries, a hyper-intelligent alien computer/alien with a chilling obsession for collecting knowledge.

Known for traversing the universe, he infamously shrinks and bottles entire cities to preserve them, while often wiping out the rest of the planet without remorse.

Armed with advanced alien technology and a mind far beyond human comprehension, Brainiac poses a uniquely cerebral threat.

Cold, logical, and utterly detached from morality, he challenges Superman not just physically, but intellectually (albeit from a more technological perspective), making him one of the Man of Steel’s most dangerous and enduring foes.

Gunn was then questioned as to whether Mister Mxyzptlk was considered. If you recall, in one scene, Superman casually tells Lois Lane that the Justice Gang can handle the situation because it’s “just a dimensional imp,” as Guy Gardner proceeds to repeatedly beat it with a giant baseball bat.

For sharp-eyed fans, this line seemed like a clear nod to Mister Mxyzptlk, the mischievous Fifth-Dimensional being known for causing chaos in Superman's world.

However, according to James Gunn, that wasn’t the case. Despite the obvious connection, Gunn confirmed that Mxyzptlk was never considered for the film.

The last villain the director was asked about was Bizarro and whether Ultraman could be brought back as the wayward, mirror Superman.

"Well, we'll have to see where we go next," said Gunn, admitting, "it's a very vague answer." When asked if he was being cagey because the question was nearing secrets for future plans, Gunn dismissed the notion, stating, "No, it means I just don't know what the hell I'm doing next.

Also recently, Gunn told Entertainment Weekly that Lex likely took Ultraman out of the oven a little too soon as his physical features are just slightly off. That sure sounds like the groundwork is being laid for Bizarro, especially if his time in the black hole further distorts his physiology.

SUPERMAN Reportedly Set To Take Flight On Digital On August 26
Related:

SUPERMAN Reportedly Set To Take Flight On Digital On August 26

WEAPONS Spoilers: Find Out Where The Kids Went And Who - Or What - Was Behind Their Disappearance
Recommended For You:

WEAPONS Spoilers: Find Out Where The Kids Went And Who - Or What - Was Behind Their Disappearance

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 7/19/2025, 10:12 AM
Even though they are starting the story in an active universe, Brainiac should be much later
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/19/2025, 10:26 AM
@Wahhvacado - 100% agree.
Either in a Superman & Supergirl movie or .....
A wiser move would be to make Brainiac the first threat in the first JL similar to the storyline Bruce Timm did during Justice League Unlimited.
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 7/19/2025, 10:31 AM
@lazlodaytona - Absolutely agree, they need the proper Justice League to handle this threat
BobGarlen
BobGarlen - 7/19/2025, 10:20 AM
Does DC have some kind of anti-Brainiac Mandate?
DS616
DS616 - 7/19/2025, 10:51 AM
@BobGarlen - It's more like every time they've rebooted Superman it's never been successful enough to get a direct sequel, and you don't logically start a Superman reboot with a Brainiac level villain in the first movie. The DCU will finally break that trend and he'll 100% be the villain in the sequel.
BobGarlen
BobGarlen - 7/19/2025, 11:10 AM
@JayTweIve - I'm hoping so. I really do. I feel slighted because the Salkinds had the opportunity and refused. Returns could have done Brainiac since it was more of a sequel, Snyder could have done Brainiac and he decided to do Batman and Steppenwolf. It's sad that the best representation of Brainiac has been Superman TAS and the Krypton show.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/19/2025, 12:00 PM
@BobGarlen - Brainiac has been used in animation, Smallville (completely sucked. Dude was more liquid Terminator than Brainiac), KRYPTON, and almost in SUPERMAN & LOIS.

I'd be onboard if Bradley Cooper played Brainiac for sure. Not a fan of him being Jor-El.
Maybe what we saw with Joe-El telling Superman he's there to rule earth was all a set up to make Superman weaker and less of an obstacle for Brainiac to conquer earth.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 7/19/2025, 2:01 PM
@BobGarlen - We've had some crumbs in the movies. The supercomputer in Superman III, the World Engine in Man of Steel (with the DCAU Brainiac symbol on the bottom and the Brainiac tentacles from the comics) and finally the skull ship from Superman Lives made a very brief appearance in the CG multiverse sequence in The Flash movie (you have to pause it on a big screen to see it).

That's all we got so far.
jst5
jst5 - 7/19/2025, 8:38 PM
@lazlodaytona - The fact Superman never showed Supergirl the message to know what it really said shows just how much thought went into this script.

You'd think Superman would show it to her you know when she dropped off her dog.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/19/2025, 9:36 PM
@jst5 - dude, Superman already knew what it said. He just couldn't get the second half to work...
He didn't show it to her because he already knew what the first half said.

Or ....

He had already showed it to her off screen before the movie starts. Could be a reason why he already knew what it said.

In the end, neither knew what the whole message said because the second half didn't work. .

Nice try tho
jst5
jst5 - 7/20/2025, 12:31 AM
@lazlodaytona - I wanted to see if you'd take the bait....so you telling me Supes robots nor Supergirl had the tech to read the whole message but Lex had tech that could.Come on ....you can't be buying that.

It's bad writing that you're suppose to just accept.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/20/2025, 9:05 AM
@jst5 - well, at the end of the JLU series it was proven Lex was as smart, if not smarter, than Darkseid.
So, yes. I can believe Lex could create the tech to fix an alien message. Just like Dr. Swan had done in Smallville season 2.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/19/2025, 10:21 AM
ANYONE BUT LEX LUTHER!

I'm so tired of seeing Lex Luther.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/19/2025, 10:27 AM
@AllsGood - I'm good with Lex if he's pulling the strings of other super-badguys
DannyBrandy20
DannyBrandy20 - 7/19/2025, 10:49 AM
@AllsGood - Lex and Zod

Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 7/19/2025, 1:03 PM
@AllsGood - Lex Luther JR ? Does he had a dream?
jst5
jst5 - 7/19/2025, 8:41 PM
@AllsGood - This version of Lex wasn't even a good version.....Rosenbaum's Lex would hold a whole movie himself.Then again the latter Lex would not count on a Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Man to take down Supes.
Forthas
Forthas - 7/19/2025, 10:22 AM
If I were doing a Superman trilogy, it would be Zod, Luthor, and Brainiac in that order.
IKidYouNotMan
IKidYouNotMan - 7/19/2025, 10:27 AM
@Forthas - not Zod again, PLEASE! Or do something different with him like a story about Mongul and warworld and have Zod be there or something
Forthas
Forthas - 7/19/2025, 10:31 AM
@IKidYouNotMan - I just think it makes for a great story arc. As in MOS, Zod causes Superman to reveal himself...the reveal attracts the attention of Lex Luthor who uses his technology against Superman....the final evolution of that technology leads to Brainiac.
SpiderParker
SpiderParker - 7/19/2025, 11:02 AM
@Forthas - So, basically what Snyder did but then you throw in Brainiac. How original. Let me guess, if MOS was re-released or re-adapted, you would be the first in line.

User Comment Image
DSAC294
DSAC294 - 7/19/2025, 11:17 AM
@SpiderParker - he just told be on the other thread that WBD would be successful if they chart a new course and bring back what the fans want - Cavill. Yep he would be first in line!
Forthas
Forthas - 7/19/2025, 11:24 AM
@SpiderParker - Would I be the first in line?

User Comment Image
SpiderParker
SpiderParker - 7/19/2025, 11:26 AM
@Forthas -
User Comment Image
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 7/19/2025, 11:52 AM
@IKidYouNotMan - User Comment Image

User Comment Image

User Comment Image
IKidYouNotMan
IKidYouNotMan - 7/19/2025, 12:19 PM
@KennKathleen - User Comment Image
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 7/19/2025, 10:35 PM
@Forthas - Yeah he's right Why rehash Man of Steel?
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 7/19/2025, 10:39 PM
@SpiderParker - Here's an idea how about they reboot MOS Say every 10 years so you guys can see it again and again and again. Sheesh Snyder cultist
Forthas
Forthas - 7/19/2025, 11:17 PM
@SpideyQuad - Because you have a near perfect origin story to build from...you don't have reboot the character since most people like Cavill...and MOS is conducive to The Dark Knight Trilogy and therefore the franchises could be combined to launch a shared universe on a strong footing.
SpiderParker
SpiderParker - 7/20/2025, 2:43 AM
@Forthas -
User Comment Image
Do you need a shoulder or the bottle is good enough for you?
Geochili
Geochili - 7/21/2025, 1:37 AM
@SpiderParker - lol I got behind on following the articles here. But this gif is the gift that keeps on giving to this particular zombie. You know him so well. Brilliant, really.
IKidYouNotMan
IKidYouNotMan - 7/19/2025, 10:30 AM
User Comment Image

User Comment Image

Tom Brittney for Manchester Black. While I want Braniac and Metallo, seeing Superman fight the Engineer in the movie was refreshing over the slugfests that he’s had in previous movies with Zod and Ultraman
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/19/2025, 11:53 AM
@IKidYouNotMan - another guy who was almost Superman and then would be a villain lol

Having said that , I feel like someone like Jack O Connell would be a better fit.

User Comment Image

I don’t think it would a natural next step to have the Elite be his next big villains given we dealt a bit with Superman being against killing in this film that to make it the main crux of the sequel could work imo.

IKidYouNotMan
IKidYouNotMan - 7/19/2025, 12:23 PM
@TheVisionary25 - hey that’s a better choice than mine! As long as it’s someone who’s actually British so we don’t get a repeat of that animated movie with Robin Atkin Downes having a cockney, Irish and Scottish accent all at once.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/19/2025, 10:30 AM
Brainiac should obviously be saved for down the line with just subtle hints of him in various shows/movies.
I'd prefer the 1st Justice League similar to what Bruce Timm did in JLU. If Lex ends up being used by Brainiac instead of Lex in control of other meta-humans, it'd more more interesting.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 7/19/2025, 12:57 PM
Brainiac and Metallo are Superman threats I definitely wanna see down the road.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/19/2025, 1:17 PM
I hope we get Brainiac as the villain sooner then later…

Not only is it overdue but I think it would be interesting to have this version have ties to Krypton to better explore this version of that planet & culture especially after what we know about Kal’s parents post Superman.

User Comment Image
MisterBones
MisterBones - 7/19/2025, 3:16 PM
Brainiac should be saved for a third film. Built slowly
1 2

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder