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On X, Gunn shared the news that Lars Eidinger “rose to the top” of the casting search to land the coveted role. Check out Gunn’s post in the space below, which includes a side-by-side image of Eidinger and Brainiac:
Lars Eidinger Should Be the Perfect Brainiac for the DCU
Prior to Eidinger’s casting, DC fans suggested several possible Brainiac actors for the DC Universe. Popular picks were people who had previously worked with Gunn, such as Peacemaker star Chukwudi Iwuji and Dave Bautista (the latter of which Gunn fervently debunked just a week ago). While it’s understandable why fans were looking at Gunn’s former collaborators — many of whom would have made a compelling Brainiac — Eidinger is an inspired pick who should be an intimidating presence in Man of Tomorrow. For starters, he certainly looks the part. When he’s eventually in his full Brainiac costume, audiences should be able to easily buy him as the super-intelligent villain just by taking in the visual.
Of course, Eidinger has more going for him than a classic Brainiac aesthetic. He’s also a tremendously gifted performer whose career has spanned several productions across the stage and screen. A majority of his credits are German films and TV shows, but he’s also lent his talents to American projects like Tim Burton’s Dumbo remake and multiple Noah Baumbach films. Regardless of which country he’s working in, Eidinger has demonstrated impeccable range, proving he’s capable of handling everything from historical drama to absurdist dark comedies. Considering Gunn’s sensibilities as a filmmaker, being able to balance multiple tones is a must for an actor. Brainiac should be a very serious and threatening character, but it’s encouraging to see that Eidinger still has experience with different genres.
