The DC Universe continues to expand under the creative vision of James Gunn, and Superman’s story is far from over. With the first film already setting a strong foundation for the franchise and earning both critical acclaim and commercial success, fans eagerly wanted to know what would come next.
Gunn has now officially revealed that his next directorial outing will be ‘Man of Tomorrow’, a sequel that is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious DCU projects yet.
Superman And Lex Luthor Alliance Hints At A Bigger Threat
Slated for release on July 9, 2027, ‘Man of Tomorrow’ will not only bring back David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor but also introduce an unexpected partnership between the two age-old rivals. The reveal has sparked immense curiosity, especially as Gunn teased a “much, much bigger threat” that will force Superman and Luthor to join forces reluctantly. With production scheduled to begin in mid-2026, anticipation for this sequel is already soaring sky-high.
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James Gunn’s announcement came with a surprising twist: Superman and Lex Luthor will have to work together. On The Howard Stern Show, Gunn revealed, “It’s a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat.” For fans who witnessed the tense dynamic between Corenswet’s Superman and Hoult’s Luthor in ‘Superman’, this development feels both shocking and intriguing.
The end of the first film left audiences with hints that Lex may not be beyond redemption. Superman, ever the beacon of hope, saw a glimmer of good within him, even after Luthor nearly destroyed Metropolis. This moral thread will now be woven deeper in ‘Man of Tomorrow’, as the two men must set aside their ideological battles to face a shared enemy. Moreover, the decision to elevate Luthor as a co-lead makes perfect sense.
Nicholas Hoult’s performance in ‘Superman’ was hailed as one of the film’s strongest elements. Giving him equal footing alongside Corenswet’s Superman in the sequel opens the door to a layered narrative. It could showcase the fragile alliance between them, their inevitable clashes, and perhaps even Luthor’s reluctant heroism. However, who exactly is the “much, much bigger threat”? Gunn left that question tantalizingly open.
DCU Is Already Setting Up The Justice League
Beyond Superman and Luthor’s uneasy truce, ‘Man of Tomorrow’ promises to widen the DCU’s scope even further. According to reports, characters like Supergirl (Milly Alcock), Lobo (rumored to be played by Jason Momoa), and Peacemaker (John Cena) may appear in the film. On Instagram, Isabela Merced also teased her return as Hawkgirl with the cryptic caption, “See you soon.”
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This suggests that ‘Man of Tomorrow‘ will not only focus on the Superman–Luthor dynamic but also begin planting seeds for a larger ensemble story. If Brainiac, or another galactic-level villain, is the antagonist, Superman and Lex might be forced to recruit additional help. Such a scenario could act as a stepping stone toward the eventual formation of the Justice League in Gunn’s DCU.
Both men represent different visions of the future: Superman as humanity’s protector and Luthor as a flawed visionary seeking control. By giving the sequel a title that applies to both leads, Gunn cleverly underscores the dual focus of the film. The fact that Gunn is fast-tracking ‘Man of Tomorrow’ is itself telling. Warner Bros. Discovery clearly sees Superman as the anchor of this new DCU. With the first film already surpassing $600 million globally, the sequel has the potential to cement Superman.
