DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has issued a blunt public rebuke of a casting report concerning the upcoming Superman sequel, describing the journalism as “shoddy and incorrect.” The dispute centers on claims that several high-profile actresses had auditioned for a key role in the film, currently titled Man of Tomorrow.
The friction began on April 8, when reports surfaced suggesting that a quartet of stars—including Adria Arjona and Sydney Chandler—had tested for the role of Maxima, a powerful character from the comics often depicted as a potential love interest for the Man of Steel. Gunn, known for his direct engagement with fans on social media, quickly moved to debunk the claims, calling the reporting “bulls**t.”
This clash highlights the ongoing tension between the rapid-fire nature of Hollywood “insider” reporting and the strict secrecy Gunn has maintained while architecting the new DC Universe (DCU). As the studio prepares for the launch of its new cinematic chapter, the accuracy of casting news has become a flashpoint for both the studio and its dedicated fanbase.
James Gunn has rebuked a Deadline report over its seemingly inaccurate casting claims. | Credit: Samir Hussein/Getty Images
A public clash over casting accuracy
The controversy ignited after Deadline reported that Adria Arjona (Andor), Sydney Chandler (Alien: Earth), Eva De Dominici (The Cleaning Lady), and Grace Van Patten (Tell Me Lies) had all tested for the role of Maxima. Gunn discovered the report after it was amplified by the fan site Nexus Point News and responded via Threads.
In a series of posts, Gunn expressed a sense of betrayal regarding the quality of the reporting. “This is not against Nexus — they’re sharing what Deadline reported — but Deadline’s reporting is shoddy & incorrect,” Gunn wrote. He added, “I’ve always thought Deadline was pretty thorough in their journalism, but that’s not the case here, so I’m frankly disappointed.”
Gunn went further to highlight the specific inaccuracies, noting that while he has a long-standing friendship with Adria Arjona—having cast her in The Belko Experiment—he has never even met some of the other actresses mentioned. “If someone would have run these names by us we would have said it’s bulls**t,” he stated. “I’m a fan of both Marisa and Ella, but I’ve never met either of them. Crazy.”
Gunn clearly wasn’t happy about Deadline’s latest report on his Superman sequel | Credit: James Gunn/Threads
The industry response was mixed. Deadline initially stated that DC Studios representatives had declined to comment, but later updated the article to defend its newsgathering process. An unnamed editor noted that the publication “went through its normal editorial process” and updated the story following a review of new information. Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter published its own account, maintaining that its sources also placed those four actresses in the frame for the role, though Gunn has not yet responded to that specific report.
What we know about the ‘Man of Tomorrow’ roster
While the Maxima rumors remain disputed, the broader casting for the Superman sequel is nearly complete. In subsequent interactions on Threads, Gunn clarified that he has already cast every major role for the film. When asked if any positions remained open, he revealed there was only “one left” to finalize before the roster was fully rounded out.
Despite the noise, Gunn was careful not to let the argument lead to accidental spoilers. When a fan asked if the dispute confirmed that Maxima would appear in the movie, Gunn replied: “I am absolutely not confirming that (and didn’t).”
For those tracking the development of the DCU’s first major sequel, the current confirmed and rumored cast includes a wide array of talent tasked with redefining the Man of Steel’s world.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| David Corenswet | Clark Kent / Superman |
| Nicholas Hoult | Lex Luthor |
| Rachel Brosnahan | Lois Lane |
| Skyler Gisondo | Jimmy Olsen |
| Lars Eidinger | Brainiac |
| Isabela Merced | Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl |
Other key figures expected to appear include Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., MarÃa Gabriela de FarÃa as Angela Spica (The Engineer), Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart/Green Lantern.
The broader DCU timeline
The conflict over casting is occurring against a backdrop of immense pressure. Man of Tomorrow is a cornerstone of “Chapter One” of the new DC Universe, a strategic reboot designed to bring a cohesive narrative across film and television. The sequel is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters worldwide on July 7, 2027.
This production is part of a larger slate of projects intended to launch before the end of 2026, including a Supergirl film, a Lanterns series, and a project centered on the character Clayface. By maintaining a tight grip on casting and plot details, Gunn is attempting to avoid the leak-heavy environment that plagued previous iterations of the DC cinematic efforts.
Man of Tomorrow will take flight in theaters worldwide on July 7, 2027 | Credit: Jorge Jimenez/Instagram
As the production moves forward, the next major checkpoint for fans will be the official announcement of the remaining cast members and the first look at production footage, which typically coincides with the studio’s quarterly update cycles. For the most accurate information, followers are encouraged to monitor official DC Studios communications.
We want to hear from you. Do you think the era of “insider” casting leaks is helping or hurting the hype for the new DCU? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
