It’s intriguing to consider how the DCEU would have played out if Zack Snyder had chosen to film a direct Man of Steel sequel instead of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. David S. Goyer was charged with writing a sequel to the 2013 blockbuster the same month it was released, only for it to be revealed shortly after to be the crossover fans have been hoping to see for years instead.
According to Zack Snyder, Brainiac was considered the villain in Man of Steel 2. On June 14, 2013, Man of Steel was released in theatres, kicking off the DCEU, which currently includes films based on characters such as Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Suicide Squad. Despite this, no official sequel to Man of Steel has been made, and Warner Bros. instead chose to rename Man of Steel 2 as Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Snyder then began work on a five-part epic story that would build up to Justice League and its future sequels.
Zack Snyder Wanted Brainiac as Man Of Steel Sequel Antagonist
Brainiac was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino and debuted in Action Comics #242 in July 1958. The character is one of Superman’s most recognizable adversaries, second only to Lex Luthor. Despite his fame, the character has never made it to the big screen. The character was originally intended for Superman III before being shelved.
He was also an integral component of Kevin Smith and Tim Burton’s Superman Lives treatment, which never saw the light of day. Despite not starring in a film, the character has appeared on television several times, as well as in the DC Animated Universe. From Smallville (played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum James Marsters), and most recently as the major villain on the short-lived Syfy series, Krypton, BRainiac is not unknown to fans of the live-action DC comics.
Zack Snyder disclosed plans to employ Brainiac in a sequel to Man of Steel in an interview. Snyder did not say whether this was the original concept before Man of Steel 2 became Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice or whether it would have come after Justice League. The 300 director stated,
“We talked about a Brainiac movie…I just think it’s best to give Superman these extraterrestrial challenges because I think you’ve got to be careful with — other than Lex Luthor, because, of course, you have to continue with Lex, because Lex is his real nemesis — but I think you really have to look outside of the Earth for challenges for him because of how powerful he is.”
The Brainiac negotiations appeared to have occurred early in the sequel’s development. Man of Steel 2 was announced before the first film was released in theatres, but by the time the film was released, the studio had opted to focus on establishing the Justice League rather than a typical Superman sequel.
Fans Want Zack Snyder Back for Man of Steel 2 With Daniel Craig as Brainiac
With James Gunn and Peter Safran as the current CEOs of DCU and Henry Cavill’s return in the DCU with a Man of Steel sequel currently at works, fans all around the globe have started demanding Zack Snyder’s Superman vision to be fulfilled with Daniel Craig as Brainiac.
Daniel Craig as Brainiac maybe a baseless rumour but either him or Ralph Finnes are literally top tier casting for that role. Both can play ice-cold like nobody else. #ManOfSteel2
— Bendrix 🦁 (@Benjmeister85) November 6, 2022
•Daniel Craig as Mr Freeze
•Daniel Craig as Brainiac
•Daniel Craig as Reverse Flash
•Daniel Craig as himself in the DCEU🤷🏽♂️ @DCComics pic.twitter.com/QvjhVDeNBs
— Joe Taft (@Joe_Taft_) November 6, 2022
Zack Snyder confirmed that Brainiac and Kryptonians from the Phantom Zone ( yes they are alive and kicking) would've been the villains in a planned solo Superman movie with Henry Cavill ❤️ 😭 pic.twitter.com/GUjGf5BxzZ
— 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘁 of North (@Itssan17) May 10, 2021
Zack Snyder says Brainiac and Kryptonians from the Phantom Zone would've been the villains in a direct 'Man of Steel' sequel 🍿 pic.twitter.com/sEdQtGWAyW
— Post Cred Pod (@PostCredPod) May 10, 2021
Zack Snyder's plan for Man of Steel 2 : " We talked about a Brainiac movie. But I do think that the Kryptonians that are in the Phantom Zone are probably still around. And there was always a possibility for their return. Faora and whoever’s left." (1/3) pic.twitter.com/MMAd3hIxKW
— Sagar ⚒ ⁱⁿ ˢᶜᵒᵗᵗ ˢᵗᵘᵇᵉʳ ᵉʳᵃ (@snyderfanatic) May 10, 2021
#MakeManOfTomorrow to see Zack Snyder's Brainiac#HenryCavillSuperman
-Admin #2 pic.twitter.com/gdIJaugT4Q— #MakeManOfTomorrow #HenryCavillSuperman (@MakeMOTcampaign) May 6, 2022
It’s intriguing to consider how the DCEU would have played out if Zack Snyder had chosen to film a direct Man of Steel sequel instead of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Fans can now rejoice because Henry Cavill will return as the son of Krypton in the Man of Steel sequel, and he may soon face off against Brainiac.
Source: TheRonin
