“If someone would have run these names by us we would have said it’s bulls---,” Gunn wrote on social media.

James Gunn shoots down Man of Tomorrow Maxima casting report as ‘bulls---’: ‘Shoddy and incorrect’

"If someone would have run these names by us we would have said it's bulls---," Gunn wrote on social media.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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April 8, 2026 2:14 p.m. ET

Marisa Abela, Ella Purnell, and Adria Arjona. Credit:

Dave Benett/Getty; Gilbert Flores/Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

- James Gunn calls a new casting report about *Man of Tomorrow* "shoddy and inaccurate."

- Press reported three actresses testing for the role of Maxima in the *Superman* follow-up.

- "If someone would have run these names by us we would have said it's bulls---," Gunn wrote on Threads.

*Man of Tomorrow* writer/director and DC Studios co-head James Gunn shot down the latest casting report for his *Superman* follow-up in no uncertain terms.

Deadline initially reported on Wednesday that Marisa Abela, Ella Purnell, and Adria Arjona are testing for a role in *Man of Tomorrow*, thought to be Maxima, the warrior queen from the planet Almerac. The press outlet cited multiple sources.

Abela is known for playing Amy Winehouse in the film *Back to Black*, as well as for her prominent role on HBO's *Industry*; Purnell made waves with Amazon's *Fallout* series, based on the video game franchise; and Adria Arjona, a standout of the film *Hit Man* and the series *Andor*, was the subject of some Wonder Woman fan casting that Gunn previously debunked.

James Gunn and David Corenswet on the set of 'Superman'.

Jessica Miglio/Warner Bros.

"*Deadline*'s reporting is shoddy & incorrect," Gunn wrote in a post on Threads. "I've always thought *Deadline* was pretty thorough in their journalism but that's not the case here so I'm frankly disappointed. If someone would have run these names by us we would have said it's bullshit. I've been friends with Adria a long time since I cast her in *The* *Belko Experiment*. I'm a fan of both Marisa and Ella but I've never met either of them. Crazy."

Since Gunn's statement, *Deadline* amended the article first to read that Arjona is among multiple actresses testing for a role in the film, followed by a second update that named Grace Van Patten (*Tell Me Lies*), Sydney Chandler (*Alien: Earth*), and Eva De Dominici (*The Cleaning Lady*).

"*Deadline* went through its normal editorial process in the newsgathering for this story. After a review in light of new information regarding the actors involved, the story is currently being ," a note from the trade publication reads.

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** reached out to representatives for Deadline and DC Studios for further comment.

Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet in 'Superman'.

Jessica Miglio/Warner Bros. Pictures

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Gunn further responded to a couple fan questions on Threads, saying he is "absolutely not confirming" Maxima will be a character in *Man of Tomorrow*, but stating that DC has "one" role left to fill for the film and "then we're finished."

*Superman* stars David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult will return for *Man of Tomorrow* as Clark Kent/Kal-El and Lex Luthor, respectively. Their characters will set aside their differences to band together against a much greater threat: Brainiac, the alien AI being portrayed by German actor Lars Eidinger (*All the Light We Cannot See*).

Aaron Pierre will also reprise his role as Earth-based Green Lantern John Stewart after first appearing on HBO series *Lanterns* (premiering in August), EW previously confirmed.

"It's as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie," Gunn told Howard Stern of *Man of Tomorrow*, which is set to open in theaters on July 9, 2027. "I loved working with Nicholas Hoult. I relate to the character of Lex, sadly. I really wanted to create something extraordinary with the two of them. I just love the script so much."

*This article has been with a statement from *Deadline*.*

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