When Superman arrived in theaters in 2025, much of the conversation afterward centered on its antagonists. Some viewers began asking whether Livewire, the electricity-powered adversary created for Superman: The Animated Series, would have made a stronger opponent for the Man of Steel than the Engineer. With Man of Tomorrow set for release in 2027, that question has returned.

Here is what has been confirmed about the villains in the sequel so far, and where Livewire stands.

From what is known about the upcoming film, Man of Tomorrow sees Superman and Lex Luthor joining hands against a common enemy. Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger, has been reported as the main threat. Several characters from the 2025 film are also set to return, including the Engineer, played by María Gabriela de Faría. There has been no announcement or credible report placing Livewire in the cast or story, so for now her appearance remains speculation.

In Superman: The Animated Series, Livewire began as Leslie Willis, a Metropolis radio shock jock whose show built its popularity on mocking Superman. During a concert in Centennial Park, she ignored police warnings about an approaching thunderstorm and kept the crowd there.

When lightning struck, Superman pulled her away from danger, but the bolt hit him instead and arced onto her, transforming her into a being of living electricity. Despite his attempt to protect her, Willis blamed Superman entirely for what happened and took the name Livewire. With James Gunn's DCU already presenting Superman as an emotional being, Livewire would have added valuable depth to the movie. However, so far none of the teasers point in her direction.

While Livewire may be the villain that fans wanted, the one that is confirmed to wreck the chaos in Superman's world come July 9, 2027 is no softy either.

The main antagonist in Man of Tomorrow is Brainiac, the alien intelligence from Superman's comic book history. The role is played by Lars Eidinger. Brainiac is known as a cosmic collector of knowledge, which makes him a far larger threat than anything Superman faced in the 2025 film, and it explains why the story has Superman and Lex Luthor teaming up. With Engineer also returning for the sequel, it remains to be seen whether she will be fighting against or for Superman's cause.

With the confirmed antagonist in place, and James Gunn having confirmed that principal photography wrapped on August 26, the movie stands in post-production. Further adding to its hype was the neatly wrapped Green Lantern's finale, with John Stewart now set to make an appearance in Man of Tomorrow.

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Did you want Livewire to be the antagonist in Superman: Man of Tomorrow? Let us know in the comments