What is Alan Tudyk’s secret role in Superman?

Tudyk in Resident Alien, with a claw he'll (probably?) not have in Superman | Photo: SyFy / Everett Collection

Even as a diehard Man of Steel advocate, I am excited for James Gunn’s new take on Superman. It’s the DCU’s first major project since Gunn was named co-CEO of DC Studios, offering a reset on the DC Universe and a chance for a fresh new face in the iconic red and blue.

David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan will star as Clark Kent and Lois Lane. The rest of the cast includes Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Nathan Fillion (a Green Lantern), and plenty more.

Deadline reported Friday that another name has been added to that list: Alan Tudyk, of Rogue One, Firefly, Resident Alien fame, in a “secret role.” But which role is it?

Tudyk has deep experience in the DC Universe, sometimes on screen and sometimes as a voice actor. He has appeared in animated DC TV shows (Harley Quinn, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Young Justice, Gunn’s upcoming Creature Commandos), animated DC movies (Justice League: War), live-action DC shows (Doom Patrol), and now, a live-action DC movie.

So far, in the DC Universe, Tudyk has played [deep breath] The Joker, Clayface, Calendar Man, Condiment King, Doctor Trap, Firefly, Ocean Master, The Flash, Green Arrow, Psimon, Captain Cold, Superman, Mr. Nobody, and (soon) Doctor Phosphorus in Creature Commandos. That has to be some sort of record. But who is he playing in Superman? Here are our leading guesses.

Doctor Phosphorus

Reprising the Doctor Phosphorus role in live-action certainly seems like a possibility. Gunn has said “We’re gonna have characters move into animation, out of animation, usually having the same actor play their voice as who plays them in live-action.” But that makes the secretive nature of this casting a little odd — him repeating the role seems like the kind of thing that DC Studios might just announce.

Martian Manhunter

Consider: Martian Manhunter, a potential CG-heavy role for a talented voice actor with ties to whatever is happening in space in this costume-reveal still. There are a lot of heroes flying around Gunn’s Superman universe, and J’onn J’onzz could be one of them.

Brainiac

It certainly seems like Brainiac is in Gunn’s movie, and as of this report, that role remains unannounced. But that’s the kind of lead villain role that may be set aside for an even bigger name. If Superman’s Brainiac is motion-captured, though, that might increase Tudyk’s stock in that particular case.

Mister Mxyzptlk

There are dozens of more offbeat options in the Superman canon that Tudyk could nail, like the mischievous trickster Mister Mxyzptlk (a character I simply cannot believe the actor hasn’t played yet).

Mr. Nobody

I would be elated if he brought back his positively delightful performance as Mr. Nobody from the first season of Doom Patrol, as unlikely as that seems. I won’t get my hopes up.

Bertrand “Bertie” Muegler

Here’s what Tudyk has to say about the casting report:

---

What I’m coming to is I think Alan Tudyk could play just about any DCU character and I’d be happy. But now sound off: Who’s your pick for most likely, and who would you most like to see him play?

source https://www.polygon.com/dc/457411/alan-tudyk-superman-movie-role-casting-who