Frasier star David Hyde Pierce has recently sparked interest online when Grace Randolph, a frequent commentator on media updates, posted that the actor is one of three who have tested for Braniac.
I hear ONE of these actors has tested for #Brainiac …
And it would make me SO happy if he got it!!!! But they’re still auditioning more actors.
Can you guess which one?#DC #DCStudios #ManOfTomorrow pic.twitter.com/IgoWGNwdXs
This comes in the wake of the exciting update that Braniac is the confirmed villain in James Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow. The other two actors in the race for the role of the villain are Wallace Shawn (The Princess Bride, Young Sheldon) and Danish actor Claes Bang (Dracula, The Northman). Pierce is our definitive choice for playing the intellectual villain for the following reasons.
Why David Hyde Pierce Would Make a Sophisticated Braniac
David Hyde Pierce, best known for his role as Dr. Niles Crane in Frasier, has the ability to embody highly intellectual, sophisticated, and nuanced characters. His role in Frasier is peak neurotic intelligence and braininess, something sorely needed in portraying the intelligent villain.
Moreover, Pierce’s educational background with a double major in English literature and theater from Yale University, combined with his stage and screen roles, proves that decades of education and experience will add to the gravitas needed to pull off the superintelligent cyborg.
With sharp comedic timing, his pompous demeanor and physical acting fit right in with the comic book character Braniac. This will be Braniac’s big-screen debut, and we are curious to see what kind of villain we’ll get from James Gunn, following a lighter DCU compared to Zack Snyder’s DCEU.
What Do We Know About James Gunn’s Superman 2?
James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman sequel-not-sequel, officially titled Man of Tomorrow, is set for release on July 9, 2027. Man of Tomorrow is the next film in the DCU, directed by James Gunn, starring David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Here are the details and reported casting for the film.
The story centers on Superman and Lex Luthor forming an uneasy alliance to combat Brainiac, who poses a threat on a cosmic or ‘Justice League’ scale. The sequel is less about Lex Luthor versus Superman and more about their coexistence and necessary cooperation when faced with Brainiac’s colossal threat.
The relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor, established with Luthor’s defeat and imprisonment in the 2025 film, sets the stage for their alliance in the sequel.
Are you excited for the possibility of David Hyde Pierce as Braniac?
Man of Tomorrow is set to release on July 9, 2027, in the U.S.
