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UPDATE: following a denial from James Gunn, Deadline updated their original reporting and now say that only Adria Arjona tested for the role of Maxima.
James Gunn’s sequel to Superman, Man of Tomorrow, looks intent on adding some star-power sex appeal to the film, as three stunners have reportedly screen-tested for the role of Maxima. According to reports, Adria Arjona, Ella Purnell and Marisa Abela have all tried out for the part.
After Superman, the first official film in the new DC cinematic franchise, successfully debuted last summer, development on the sequel began almost immediately. Filming is set to begin in Atlanta later this month ahead of its currently scheduled July 9, 2027 release date.
Man of Tomorrow. In theatres July 9, 2027. pic.twitter.com/hegJEuRMTk
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) September 3, 2025
Stars David Corenswet (Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), will all be returning, while Lars Eidinger has been cast as the villanous Brainiac.
Additional cast members include Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Aaron Pierre as John Stewart/Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/Engineer, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
Adria Arjona, Ella Purnell and Marisa Abela have all tried out for the part of Maxima in the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow
That cast will be joined by either Arjona, Purnell, or Abela, who will reportedly be playing the antiheroic and romantic love interest part of Maxima, an alien warrior queen.
“We’re told the character is Maxima, the warrior queen from the planet Almerac, first introduced in Action Comics #645 in 1990, who arrives on Earth in search of a suitable mate and quickly sets her sights on Superman. Created by writer Roger Stern and artist George Pérez, the character is depicted at various times in DC’s comics as an antagonist, ally and would-be love interest to Superman. Reps for DC declined comment, while reps for the actresses couldn’t be reached.” [via Deadline]
At first glance, Arjona may have an inside track to the role as she is currently dating Jason Momoa, who Gunn has cast as Lobo in the upcoming Supergirl movie, which will be hitting theaters on June 26.
Maxima was previously depicted in live action in the series Smallville and Supergirl by Charlotte Sullivan and Eve Torres Gracie, respectively, also featured in Superman: The Animated Series back in the late 90s.