Superman Sequel Rumor: New Female Villain May Join Brainiac
A mysterious female role in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman sequel has sparked rumors of a powerful new antagonist. Fans are buzzing about which DC character could shake up the next chapter, but official details remain under wraps.
After James Gunn put to rest the speculation about Wonder Woman ’s involvement in the upcoming Superman sequel, attention quickly shifted to another female character reportedly being cast for the project. With Man of Tomorrow scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027, and production set to start in spring 2026, fans are eager for any hints about what’s in store for the next DCU installment. Early casting calls described a female supporting role as “warrior-like” with a specific height requirement, leading many to initially suspect Wonder Woman. However, Gunn’s comments suggest a different DC figure is in the running—one who could serve as both a foe and an ally.
According to recent reports, the character in question is Maxima, an alien warlord from DC Comics lore. Sources claim Maxima will serve as a secondary antagonist alongside Brainiac, only to later switch sides and join the heroes. As of now, DC Studios has not made any official statements regarding these casting rumors.
Maxima’s Comic Book Origins and Her Role in the DC Universe
Maxima first appeared in Action Comics #645 back in September 1989, created by Roger Stern and George Pérez. She is the eldest heir to the royal family of Almerac, a distant planet, and originally sought out Superman as a potential mate. While she started out as an adversary, Maxima eventually became one of Superman’s allies and even joined the Justice League for a time. In DC’s New 52 reboot, a younger version of Maxima was introduced in Supergirl # 36 (January 2015), where she became a friend to Supergirl and was reimagined as a lesbian, which led to her being ostracized on her home world. In the 1992 storyline “Panic in the Sky,” Maxima reluctantly teamed up with Brainiac before ultimately turning against him and joining the Justice League.
If both Maxima and Brainiac appear in Man of Tomorrow, the film could draw inspiration from this particular comic arc. While “Panic in the Sky” featured Superman and the Justice League battling Brainiac, the movie might bring together Superman with other DC heroes like Supergirl, Lobo, or even Peacemaker.
Rumors and Speculation Surrounding the New Antagonist
The possibility of Maxima’s appearance in Man of Tomorrow should be viewed with caution, especially since the rumor only surfaced after Gunn’s direct denial of Wonder Woman’s involvement. Gunn commented,
Scoopers are taking a stab at guessing [Wonder Woman]
when news broke about a female character joining the cast. Now, Maxima’s name has entered the conversation as a likely candidate. Given her established connection to Brainiac, it ’s surprising she wasn’t the first guess, but the spotlight initially fell on the more recognizable Wonder Woman. As always, fans will have to wait for official confirmation or further word from Gunn himself.