The newest casting theory forSuperman & Loisseason 4 has me anxiously anticipating the next episodes of theDCshow, since it seems entirely possible it will become true. The CW’slive-action Superman showhas been no stranger to adapting major villains into its world - with Parasite, Lex Luthor, and a version of Bizarro that becomes Doomsday all taking center stage in the plot. However, there are some figures it seemed the series would never adapt, especially as Lex Luthor and Doomsday began to be set up as season 4’s big villains for the last chapter of the installment.
TheSuperman & Loisseason 4 premierechallenged this, setting up for the show’s iteration of Brainiac in a way that - when combined with comments about the show - make an appearance of the iconic Superman villain seem impending. While this on its own is an exciting prospect, it has also led to a fascinating theory about who could play the role, that - based on what we know about the show and its upcoming episodes thus far - I think could be spot on, and set to make the next live-action Brainiac casting a seriously exciting one.
The Theory Superman & Lois' Brainiac Casting Could Be The Arrowverse’s Tom Cavanagh Makes A Lot Of Sense For Season 4
The Arrowverse’s Tom Cavanagh Could Be Getting Another Major DC Villain Role
DespiteSuperman & Loisbeing in its final chapter, it seems the show isn’t afraid to at least tease the arrival of new villains. The season 4 premiere revealed the cage that Lex Luthor keeps Superman’s heart in was made by a “Milton” who is described as a “brainiac” - an allusion to Milton Fine, a magician known as “The Amazing Brainiac” who is taken over by the alien Brainiac in the comics.
Showrunner Todd Helbing confirmed this to be anintentional Brainiac tease forSuperman & Loisnot long after the release of these episodes. Interestingly, Helbing also mentioned that there is “more to come” in regard to this side of the story, raising several Brainiac theories.
This - and otherSuperman & Loisseason 4 comments - have led toone especially interesting theory which speculates that actor Tom Cavanagh has been cast as Brainiac. An Arrowverse veteran, Cavanagh is best known to superhero audiences as Reverse Flash and the several different versions of Harrison Wells inThe Flash. Casting him as Brainiac would not only allowSuperman & Loisto provide a big role for the actor, but also ensure the Arrowverse is given a suitable sendoff of sorts via making Cavanagh another major DC character in the last series tied to the franchise.
Superman & Lois' Brainiac Casting Theory Is Supported By Multiple Season 4 Comments
Discussions Surrounding Superman & Lois' Brainiac Story & Tom Cavanagh’s Casting Both Look Promising
In the build-up toSuperman & Loisseason 4, a lot of comments were made about both the show and Tom Cavanagh’s role in it that make the theory he’s been cast as Brainiac seem even more likely. In an interview withTVLine, Todd Helbing explained that a “significant character from the comics” was upcoming for the show, and that, “you hear the name drop, then you start hearing that name drop more, and then you see that person eventually.” Given Brainiac and Luthor’s daughter are the only major name drops thus far - and Elizabeth isn’t from the comics - this appears to confirm more Brainiac.
Showrunner Brent Fletcher was also careful to make clear that Cavanagh isn’t playing any of the characters he previously appeared as inThe Flash, tellingEntertainment Weeklythe mystery figure “is a definitely a new character from the DC Universe…It is not something you’ve seen before,” as well as stating “I wish we could have had this character for 18 seasons. It was fun.” At2024’s San Diego Comic-Con, Helbing also mentioned Cavanagh’s character is, “like somebody met Tom Cavanagh, went back in time, created this character and then was like, ‘hey, you guys should cast this guy.’”
Given the actor has shown a clear talent at playing villains with an intelligent, cerebral edge viaThe Flash- and given that a major DC villain like Brainiac is naturally someone who the showrunners would express wanting to have had more time with - this all appears to align with the idea of Tom Cavanagh being cast as Brainiac to me. If this is the case, then the final season of the show is set to get even more exciting than it already has proved itself to be.
Brainiac Would Be A Perfect Addition To The Story Superman & Lois' Final Season
The Last Season Of Superman & Lois Would Be A Perfect Point To Introduce Brainiac
Superman & Loisseason 4 has already made sure to turn up the volume on the drama and threat of the final season, with Lex Luthor and Doomsday shown at peak villainy, and the heroes scrambling to find some way to stop them and try and bring back Superman from the dead by replacing his missing heart. I think this setup would be an excellent one to dropSuperman & Lois' version of Brainiac into, as adapting another major Superman villain in the final era of the show is sure to help with the continual upping of the sense of danger and stakes here.
Even if theSuperman & Loisversion of Brainiac is resigned to being another tool of Lex Luthor - as the scene referencing him suggests - this is still a fascinating way to explore the character’s story, especially since Brainiac hasn’t had a huge number of live-action adaptations in of DC’s history. Add to this the prospect of Brainiac being played by Tom Cavanagh - tying the series further into the overarching mythos of DC’s superhero shows, and with a solid actor to boot - and it’s hard to see how bringing Brainiac in wouldn’t work, even with so little left in the runtime.
Superman & Lois
Based on the characters from DC Comics, Superman & Lois follows Clark Kent and Lois Lane, attempting to live a quiet life in Smallville with their twin sons Jonathan and Jordan. Unfortunately for the couple, their lives continue to be effected by Clark’s superhero identity and powers. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch star as Clark and Lois, with Jordan Elsass and Alex Garfin portraying the couple’s sons.
