Update: James Gunn called Deadline’s report “shoddy and incorrect.”
Filming on the DCU’s Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, is set to kick off soon and director and DC Studios’ co-chair James Gunn is about looking to lock in an actress on a key role. According to a new report from Deadline, Gunnhas begun screen-testing for one of the most powerful (and persistent) antagonists: Maxima.
The shortlist is a heavy-hitter’s row of current it girls, but two names have risen to the top of the pile for the Empress of Almerac: Ella Purnell (Fallout) and Adria Arjona (Hit Man, Andor).
In DC lore, Maxima is the warrior-queen of the planet Almerac who comes to Earth with one specific mission: to find a mate worthy of her bloodline. Naturally, she sets her sights on Kal-El, leading to a “romance” that usually involves a lot of destroyed city blocks. Nexus Point News first broke the news that the character was set for a key role in the 2027 film.
By choosing Maxima as a primary player for the sequel, James Gunn is leaning into the “Space Opera” side of the DC Universe. It moves the franchise away from the grounded streets of Metropolis and into the high-stakes politics of the galaxy. If Purnell or Arjona signs on, expect a villain who is as charismatic as she is dangerous.
Source: Deadline
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