The DC Universe is rapidly taking shape under the visionary co-leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. As the dust settles on the highly anticipated 2025 release of Superman, which aims to re-establish the Man of Steel for a new generation, the cinematic horizon is already expanding at an unprecedented rate. The recently announced sequel, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, slated for a July 9, 2027 release, is already generating massive waves across the fandom. And the primary source of this current tidal wave of speculation? The shocking, delightful, and highly guarded casting of beloved actor Matthew Lillard.
While the studio has officially confirmed Lillard’s involvement in the upcoming 2027 blockbuster, his actual role remains locked tightly inside the Warner Bros. Discovery vault. This secrecy is a classic James Gunn maneuver, designed to keep fans guessing, the internet buzzing, and the anticipation building.
When you combine a versatile cult-favorite actor like Lillard with a sprawling, interconnected comic book universe, the possibilities are virtually endless. Let’s dive deep into the history between the actor and the director, analyze the current trajectory of DC Studios’ “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters,” and break down the most compelling theories regarding who Matthew Lillard might be bringing to life in Superman: Man of Tomorrow.
The Inevitable Reunion: Gunn and Lillard’s Shared History
To truly understand the weight and potential of this casting, you have to rewind the clock to the early 2000s. Long before James Gunn was orchestrating cosmic battles for Marvel with the Guardians of the Galaxy or rebuilding the DC Universe from the ground up, he was the screenwriter behind the 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo film. It was on this project that he collaborated closely with Matthew Lillard, who delivered a legendary, generation-defining performance as Norville “Shaggy” Rogers.
Gunn is notoriously loyal to his collaborators. If you look at his filmography, you will always find spots for actors he trusts—just look at the recurring appearances of Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker, or his brother, Sean Gunn. Fans of both the director and the actor have been wondering for years when Lillard would finally get his golden ticket into one of Gunn’s massive superhero sandbox universes.
Now that the reunion is finally happening, it feels less like a random casting choice and more like a carefully calculated placement. Gunn knows Lillard’s exact comedic timing, his capacity for surprisingly deep emotional resonance, and his unique, highly kinetic energy. Whatever role Lillard has snagged, you can bet your bottom dollar that it was tailor-made for his specific skill set and that Gunn has big plans for the character.
Theory #1: The Frontrunner – Plastic Man (Eel O’Brian)
If you ask the internet right now, there is one theory towering high above the rest: Matthew Lillard is playing Patrick “Eel” O’Brian, better known to comic fans as the incredibly stretchy Plastic Man.
This theory isn’t just born out of hopeful fan-casting; it is actually rooted in real Hollywood history. Back in the year 2000, shortly before they broke out into the mainstream with Scooby-Doo, James Gunn and Matthew Lillard actually pitched a live-action Plastic Man movie to Warner Bros. executives. Lillard was deeply passionate about the character, and Gunn had a clear, likely eccentric, vision for the elastic superhero. Sadly, the studio did not see the vision at the time, and the project was permanently shelved.
Now, over two decades later, the tables have turned. James Gunn is the co-CEO of DC Studios. He has the power to greenlight whatever he wants. It feels almost poetic—and entirely within Gunn’s character—that he would finally bring Lillard into the fold to realize their abandoned dream project.
From a purely character-driven standpoint, Lillard is an absolute bullseye for Eel O’Brian. Plastic Man is a former small-time crook who gains the ability to stretch, bounce, and contort his body into any shape imaginable after a chemical accident. He is inherently goofy, highly animated, and serves as the ultimate, unpredictable comic relief even in the darkest, most serious of Justice League storylines. Lillard’s legendary physical comedy and wildly expressive face make him the perfect, perhaps the only, candidate to capture the essence of the character in live-action.
Furthermore, this aligns perfectly with the established elements of the DCU. The 2025 Superman film is already introducing characters like Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan). In the pages of DC Comics, these heroes, along with Plastic Man and Phantom Girl, form a fantastic, Fantastic Four-esque team known as “The Terrifics.” Introducing Plastic Man in Man of Tomorrow could be the final puzzle piece needed to spin off this bizarre, beloved team into their own franchise.
Theory #2: The Veteran Mentor – Ted Kord (Blue Beetle)
Another incredibly popular and highly plausible theory positions Lillard as the brilliant inventor, industrialist, and classic superhero, Ted Kord—the second iteration of the Blue Beetle.
We already know that Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes (the third Blue Beetle) is officially canon and carrying over into Gunn’s new DCU. However, we haven’t yet formally met his predecessor in this universe. Ted Kord is a fascinating character; unlike Jaime, he has no inherent superpowers but relies entirely on his genius-level intellect, martial arts skills, and an array of incredible gadgetry (including his iconic, hovering Bug ship). More importantly, Kord is beloved for his witty banter, his approachability, and his famous, enduring bromance with the time-traveling hero Booster Gold.
Lillard possesses that specific brand of manic, highly-caffeinated intelligence that would make for a phenomenal Ted Kord. Picture him as a slightly older, semi-retired superhero acting as a chaotic but well-meaning mentor to the younger, less experienced Jaime Reyes. Alternatively, he could show up in Superman: Man of Tomorrow to provide essential tech support or scientific exposition for the Man of Steel. With a Booster Gold television series already announced for the DCU’s upcoming slate, casting Lillard as his best friend Ted Kord would be an absolute casting masterstroke that guarantees incredible, hilarious on-screen chemistry down the line.
Theory #3: Playing Against Type – Lionel Luthor
While Lillard is globally recognized for his comedic roles, anyone who has followed his recent career trajectory knows he has undergone a massive renaissance in the horror and drama genres. From his terrifying, meme-spawning turn as the villainous William Afton in the box-office smash Five Nights at Freddy’s to his deeply unsettling, dramatic performance in Twin Peaks: The Return, Lillard has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can be incredibly intimidating when the script calls for it.
What if James Gunn is utilizing this darker, more menacing side of the actor? One intriguing theory suggests Lillard could be playing Lionel Luthor, the ruthless, hyper-wealthy, and manipulative father of Lex Luthor.
Nicholas Hoult is already established as Lex Luthor in the new DCU. Rumors surrounding Superman: Man of Tomorrow suggest a complex storyline where Superman and Lex might be forced to form an uneasy alliance to combat an overwhelming, otherworldly threat—perhaps someone like Brainiac. Introducing Lionel Luthor into this dynamic would add massive emotional and psychological weight. Lillard could play a psychologically abusive corporate titan, providing the necessary backstory and trauma to explain exactly why Hoult’s Lex turned out the way he did. It would be a shocking departure from his usual upbeat roles, which is exactly the kind of cinematic curveball James Gunn loves to throw at his audience.
The Wildcards: Jay Garrick, Toyman, or Someone New?
While the top three theories currently dominate the conversation, the DC pantheon is vast, leaving room for several wildcard possibilities.
Some fans have suggested Lillard could portray Jay Garrick, the original Golden Age Flash. Lillard has the inherent likability and comforting “cool uncle” energy necessary to play an elder statesman of the superhero community. This casting could potentially open the door to multiverse concepts or the introduction of the Justice Society of America (JSA) in future DCU projects.
Others have pointed to Superman’s extensive rogues’ gallery, specifically focusing on Toyman (Winslow Schott). A brilliant but deeply unhinged inventor who uses lethal, weaponized children’s toys to commit bizarre crimes perfectly suits Lillard’s proven ability to balance whimsical charm with genuine, unsettling creepiness.
Lastly, we must acknowledge the very real possibility that Lillard is playing a completely original character created specifically for the film. He could be portraying a prominent employee at the Daily Planet, a high-ranking government official liaising with the heroes, or a civilian caught in the crossfire of a superhuman conflict.
The Verdict
Whatever role Matthew Lillard ultimately takes on in Superman: Man of Tomorrow, his addition to the cast is an undeniable, massive win for the DCU. Whether he is stretching across the Metropolis skyline as Plastic Man, building high-tech gadgets as Ted Kord, or terrorizing the city as a complex villain, Lillard brings a level of passion, raw talent, and built-in audience goodwill that few actors possess.
July 2027 feels like a lifetime away for eager fans, but as James Gunn’s DC Universe continues to carefully unfold, one thing remains absolutely certain: the wait to see Matthew Lillard back in a major blockbuster sandbox is going to be incredibly exciting.
