- Primary Subject: Man of Tomorrow / Matthew Lillard Casting Rumor
- Key Update: James Gunn firmly shut down fan theories claiming Matthew Lillard will play Barry Allen (The Flash) in the DCU.
- Status: Confirmed (Debunked by DC Studios co-CEO)
- Last Verified: October 1, 2026
- Quick Answer: James Gunn confirmed Matthew Lillard is not playing Barry Allen in Man of Tomorrow, leaving his actual DC role undisclosed.
James Gunn debunks rumors that Matthew Lillard will play Barry Allen, aka The Flash, in the upcoming Man of Tomorrow.
Recently, fans strongly suggested that the original Scream actor would play the role of the DC hero after new details about his alleged character started swirling online.
But with the DC Studios co-CEO and director already denying the claim, what role will Lillard play in Man of Tomorrow?
What Did James Gunn Say About Matthew Lillard’s Role in Man of Tomorrow?
The theories about Matthew Lillard playing Barry Allen in Man of Tomorrow started with a post from X user ATL DC (Atlanta DC Fans), revealing that his character would have a biracial family and share scenes with The Daily Planet employees, including Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Kat Grant (Mikaela Hoover), and Perry White (Wendell Pierce).
From there, fans have shared different theories about which role Lillard may play, including Ted Kord.
However, many believe he will be Barry instead, knowing that his wife, Iris, is a journalist and has been played by African American actresses in the past.
So, when a fan asked James Gunn if there was any truth to the rumor that Lillard could be playing Barry in Man of Tomorrow, he had just one answer:
“No,” he simply wrote on Threads.
As this kills the hopes of fans who wanted to see Lillard play Barry, they are once again guessing what role he will play in the Superman sequel.
What Role May Matthew Lillard Play in Man of Tomorrow?
With the description of Matthew Lillard’s alleged role in Man of Tomorrow, it’s easy to see why fans think he will play Barry Allen.
Iris was played by African American actresses Candice Patton and Kiersey Clemons in The CW’s The Flash series and WB’s The Flash movie, respectively, making his family biracial.
But as James Gunn has already shot down the claim, another theory is that the actor may be playing a completely new character in the film.
Since the new details reveal that he will share a scene with The Daily Planet employees, along with the fact that he was wearing a regular outfit in a traditional office environment in his photo with Gunn on the set, he may simply be an ordinary employee or a new reporter at the newspaper.
Or he could also really be Ted Kord, especially with Xolo Maridueña returning to reprise his role as Blue Beetle from the 2023 movie. The film set up Kord’s arrival in the DC Universe, and this may finally happen in Man of Tomorrow.
However, fans should take these assumptions with a grain of salt, as nothing has been confirmed yet. Surely, this will all be revealed when Man of Tomorrow hits theaters on July 9, 2027.
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