James Gunn’s plan to add more star power to his “Superman” sequel “Man of Tomorrow” continues: the DC Studios co-chief is currently casting the role of Maxima, an alien queen who has been both an antagonist and potential love interest for the Kryptonian superhero.
Sources confirm to Variety that finalists for the sought-after role are Adria Arjona (“Andor”), Eva De Dominici (“The Cleaning Lady”), Sydney Chandler (“Alien: Earth”) and Grace Van Patten (“Tell Me Lies”). The actresses have tested for the part, and a deal is imminent, as shooting on the film starts late next week in Atlanta.
DC Studios declined to comment.
“Superman: Man of Tomorrow,” written and directed by Gunn, is slated for release on July 9, 2027. David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult return as the Man of Steel and Lex Luthor; but this time, the legendary adversaries are forced to work together to defeat an even bigger threat: the super-intelligent antagonist Brainiac (played by German star Lars Eidinger).
Aaron Pierre also join the super ensemble cast — which already boasts Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Sara Sampaio (Eve Teschmacher), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner) and Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific). But first, Pierre will make his DC Studios debut as Green Lantern John Stewart in the HBO series “Lanterns,” where he coincidentally stars opposite Chandler’s father, Kyle Chandler.
Last summer, Gunn and Peter Safran kicked off their new DC Universe by reviving Superman — and his reporter alter ego, Clark Kent — for a high-flying, yet surprisingly sentimental adventure, which grossed $618 million worldwide. The action in “Man of Tomorrow” follows that of “Supergirl,” starring Milly Alcock as Superman’s younger cousin Kara Zor-El. (Corenswet is featured in a small role.) That movie, directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, flies into theaters on June 26.
Arjona’s name has been bandied about by DC fans before. Reports speculated that she might be in the running to play Wonder Woman, but Gunn threw cold water on the hot gossip.
“I follow Adria on Instagram, but everybody came out [and thought], ‘He just followed her, that means she’s Wonder Woman.’ She’d be a great Wonder Woman, by the way,” Gunn told Extra, mentioning that he’d cast Arjona in his 2016 film “The Belko Experiment.” “We’ve been friends and have known each other since that time. I followed her then, I didn’t just follow her.”
That considered, Arjona is no stranger to the world of genre entertainment after delivering a standout performance in the Star Wars series “Andor.” She also demonstrated her versatility with comedic turns in Netflix’s “Hit Man” and Neon’s “Splitsville.” Arjona is next set to star opposite Michael B. Jordan in his “Thomas Crown Affair” remake for Amazon MGM Studios. She is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Goodman Genow.
De Dominici was among the stars of the Fox drama “The Cleaning Lady,” and she’ll next appear in Peter Farrelly’s comedy “Balls Up,” which launches April 15 on Prime Video. She is repped by Gersh, Twelve Entertainment, Untitled Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson.
Chandler leads the FX series “Alien: Earth,” playing the humanoid robot Wendy. The show, from “Fargo” creator Noah Hawley, has a second season forthcoming. She is repped by UTA and Jackoway Austen.
Van Patten is best known for starring in Hulu’s soapy series “Tell Me Lies,” and she also portrayed Amanda Knox in the streamer’s limited series, “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.” She is repped by WME, Brookside Artist Management and Sloane Offer.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the list of finalists.
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