Lars Eidinger as Brainiac in Superman: Man of Tomorrow!
The iconic supervillain has finally been cast
In "Superman 2: Man of Tomorrow", the Man of Steel has to deal with an opponent who puts everything in the shade: Brainiac. And now it's also clear who will embody the iconic supervillain!
As DC boss James Gunn announced on his Instagram channel, none other than Lars Eidinger has been signed up for the role. A thoroughly surprising choice, which Gunn himself is thrilled about. Quote:
"In our worldwide search for Brainiac in "Man of Tomorrow", Lars Eidinger rose to the top. Welcome to the DCU, Lars."
Lars Eidinger is considered one of the best-known German actors and has made a name for himself in projects such as "Sterben", "Abgeschnitten" and "Persian Lessons". But he also enjoys a good international reputation: he was recently seen in Noah Baumbach's comedy "Jay Kelly" alongside George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Eidinger is therefore not only stepping into a global blockbuster franchise, but also playing a character who has never been seen in a major DC project before.
Brainiac is an artificial being – usually depicted as a cyborg or android – who comes from the alien planet Colu. He possesses a superior intellect and is obsessed with acquiring all the knowledge in the universe. One of his most notorious deeds is to miniaturize entire cities and preserve them as miniature versions in his spaceship.
We will find out whether Eidinger proves to be a worthy opponent to David Corenswet's Superman on July 9, 2027, when "Superman: Man of Tomorrow" opens in German cinemas.
Lars Eidinger: The most famous films and roles of an uncompromising exceptional actor
Lars Eidinger is one of the most influential actors in German and international cinema. His roles are intense, often disturbing and always characterized by great psychological depth. Whether in auteur cinema, international productions or successful series – Eidinger shies away from neither extremes nor ambivalence. A look at his best-known films and roles shows why he is considered one of the most courageous actors of his generation.
The big breakthrough: Everyone Else (2009)
Lars Eidinger's final breakthrough came with "Everyone Else" by Maren Ade. In this multi-award-winning relationship drama, he plays the architect Chris, who spends a vacation in Sardinia with his partner. The seemingly everyday relationship develops into an unsparing study of power, insecurity and emotional dependency. Eidinger's performance is raw, uncomfortably honest and frighteningly realistic. The film won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale and suddenly made Eidinger one of the most important faces in German cinema.
Series success with international appeal: Babylon Berlin (2017-2020)
Eidinger also left a lasting impression in the series format. In "Babylon Berlin", he plays the industrialist and political string-puller Alfred Nyssen. The hit series, set in Berlin in the late Weimar Republic, was internationally acclaimed and is considered one of the most elaborate German productions of all time. Eidinger lends Nyssen a cold elegance and menacing calm that perfectly matches the gloomy atmosphere of the series. His character exemplifies the moral decay and political abysses of the time.
The step into international cinema: Maps to the Stars (2014)
Eidinger also established himself internationally with "Maps to the Stars" by David Cronenberg. In this bitter Hollywood satire, he plays a self-absorbed actor who wavers between artistic ambition and self-destruction. Although his role is comparatively small, Eidinger once again proves his ability to make a lasting impression on characters with just a few scenes. The film marked an important milestone on his path to international cinema.
Thriller and mainstream: Abgeschnitten (2018)
Eidinger became known to a wider audience with the thriller "Abgeschnitten", which is based on a novel by Sebastian Fitzek. Alongside Moritz Bleibtreu, he plays a psychopathic murderer who acts with gruesome precision. Here, Eidinger shows a completely different facet: controlled, cool and deeply sinister. The film was a huge box office success and proved that Eidinger also works convincingly in genre and mainstream cinema without losing any of his depth.
Subtle threat: Personal Shopper (2016)
In "Personal Shopper" by Olivier Assayas, Eidinger plays the mysterious Ingo alongside Kristen Stewart. The film moves between psychological thriller and ghost story and thrives on allusions and uncertainty. Eidinger's performance is restrained, almost minimalist, but imbued with a latent menace. It is precisely this restraint that makes his character so effective.
Blockbuster performance: Dumbo (2019)
With "Dumbo" by Tim Burton, Eidinger took the plunge into a major Hollywood blockbuster project. In the live-action adaptation of the Disney classic, he plays the eccentric entrepreneur V. A. Vandevere. Here, Eidinger shows a more theatrical, deliberately exaggerated side without losing his characteristic intensity. The film made him known to a worldwide audience.
Historical ambivalence: Persian Lessons (2020)
In "Persian Lessons", Eidinger plays an SS officer who secretly wants to learn Persian from a Jewish prisoner. His character is cruel, lonely and intellectually curious – a deeply contradictory character. Eidinger succeeds in portraying this ambivalence without relativizing the historical crimes. The film received great international acclaim.
Late mastery: Sterben (2024)
Eidinger recently proved his acting maturity once again in "Sterben" by Matthias Glasner. The family drama, which caused a sensation at the 2024 Berlinale, thrives on emotional precision and intense character portrayals. Eidinger's performance is calm, vulnerable and haunting – another highlight of his career.
Conclusion
Whether auteur cinema, thriller, series or international arthouse project: Lars Eidinger chooses his roles with care and courage. His best-known films and series show an actor who challenges, irritates and makes a lasting impression on audiences – which is precisely why he is one of the most important actors of our time.
