My current list of Brainiac casting. I tried to go pretty broad with this because I think this is a character that lends itself to a variety of different actors that could all bring something very unique. You can go older, younger, masculine, feminine, androgynous, etc. maybe all of the above and cast several people.
Tilda Swinton - probably my top choice. She would be perfect and I know she’d look good in green. I can’t imagine a better actor playing this cold, soulless, analytical enemy.
Alexander Skarsgard - Amazing on Murderbot and Succession (and lots of other stuff). Supposedly he was considered for Luthor. Maybe he’s still on Gunn’s shortlist for other roles.
Chiwetel Ejiofor - Brilliant talent that Marvel has sadly wasted, so much so that he took a paycheck role in a damned Venom movie. Let’s get this guy back on the A-List where he belongs. Check out The Man Who Fell to Earth to see him in an alien sci-fi role.
Richard E. Grant - Just watched Death of a Unicorn and loved the thought of Grant as an older Brainiac, Amazing actor who brings a ton of gravitas to any role.
Matt Smith - House of the Dragon reunion! Smith always has a ton of presence and it would be fun seeing him square off with Milly again, as well as David.
Colman Domingo - Again, just a fantastic actor who brings so much to every role, especially when delivering a monologue. When this guy talks, he’s the smartest in the room. Imagine him coolly lecturing Kal on why his planet didn’t deserve to survive and is better off as a piece of his memory.
David Oyelowo - Another brilliant actor that I just want to see in better stuff instead of random Netflix movies that can’t keep me awake.
Charlotte Rampling - Loved her presence in the Dune films. Her cold demeanor would make Brainiac genuinely scary.
Guy Pearce - So glad to see Pearce back on top with his role in The Brutalist. He’s one of those actors who works so much and is always good but spent so many years being cast in average (or just bad) movies despite a lot of talent.
Eddie Redmayne - I’ve always liked Redmayne and seeing him in Day of the Jackal made me imagine him as Brainy. If you haven’t gotten a chance, definitely watch that show.
Rufus Sewell - Sewell has made a career out playing nasty bad guys but it’s his kinda good guy role in The Diplomat that made me want to see him as a supervillain. He could do a great Brainy but there are other characters he could also fit so this one is 50/50 for me.
Sarah Snook - Loved her on Succession but more recently she did a one-person, androgynous Dorian Gray performance on stage that got me thinking about this casting. Fantastic actor.
Jimmi Simpson - Loved him on Westworld, Black Mirror and other things. He was an early Luthor pick for me but he could also do Brainy I’m sure.
Michael Sheen - I’ve seen this guy play weirdos, psychos, angels, computer programs, whatever. Amazingly versatile actor who would could probably do Brainiac in his sleep.
Tobias Menzies - My one disappointment in the cancellation of the original incarnation of the Lanterns show is that we will never see Menzies’ version of Sinestro, which I think might have been really compelling. He’s an amazing actor who has delivered awesome performances on Outlander and Manhunt. I hope he’s on Gunn’s radar for something else (especially a villain role).
