Quick casting scoop
The race to play Máxima in James Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow just narrowed. Adria Arjona, Eva De Dominici, Sydney Chandler and Grace Van Patten are reportedly the four finalists. If you were hoping for a slow, boring casting process—sorry, not happening.
What happened to the other names?
Earlier reports tossed Marisa Abela and Ella Purnell into the mix, but Gunn himself shot that down on Threads. So the shortlist seems real: four actresses, one cosmic queen role, and a whole lot of fan theory-crafting.
Who is Máxima, anyway?
Máxima hails from the comics as an over-the-top alien queen from Almerac who can be a rival, a romantic wildcard, or both—depending on the day and the mood of the plot. Think glamorous conqueror with a moral compass that likes to spin. She’s loud, bold, and usually there to shake things up around Superman.
Why this casting matters
Beyond the obvious celebrity cachet, Máxima isn’t just eye candy for the story—her role can push the plot in new directions. She can be a foil, a love interest, or the kind of chaotic force that forces characters to evolve. Choosing the right actor will shape how emotional or chaotic Gunn wants the sequel to feel.
Where this fits in the bigger DC picture
Man of Tomorrow is slated to land in theaters on July 9, 2027. David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult return as Superman and Lex Luthor, and Lars Eidinger is set to play Brainiac—the big bad here. Aaron Pierre will reprise John Stewart’s Green Lantern, tying into the wider DC rollout (he’ll also appear in the upcoming Lanterns HBO show).
Other DC pieces on the board
Between now and that Superman sequel, DC has a busy schedule: Supergirl is due in June 2026 with Milly Alcock, and Clayface follows in September 2026. Meanwhile, The Batman – Part II—Matt Reeves’ sequel—remains its own beast with a release planned for October 1, 2027. In short: different corners of the DC universe will be doing their own thing while Gunn builds his take on Superman.
Production status and what to expect
Both Man of Tomorrow and The Batman – Part II are in pre-production, with filming expected to kick off in the near future. Casting decisions now will ripple into trailers, marketing, and, of course, fan reaction.
Why fans should care
Máxima is exactly the kind of character who can make fans argue, cheer, or collectively lose their minds on social media. Whether she’s an ally, an antagonist, or a flirtatious wild card, the choice of actor will tell us a lot about the tone Gunn wants—romantic, dramatic, or delightfully chaotic.
Bottom line
The shortlist is set and the drama is only getting started. Expect more casting leaks, denials, and hot takes before anyone signs on the dotted line. In the meantime, pick your favorite and prepare for speculation to become a spectator sport.