Following the success of The Kryptonian's Return, James Gunn has given an unexpected twist to the sequel: to collaborate facing a danger that surpasses any resentment. The proposal breaks with the classic head-on collision and opens the door to a more tense and strategic dynamic between the two.
The project is moving forward with defined calendar: Filming is scheduled for April 2026, with a July 9, 2027, release in the United States. Gunn insists that this is not an idyllic alliance, but rather a cooperation "to a certain extent" motivated by a larger threat.
What James Gunn said
In his talk with Howard Stern, the filmmaker made the approach clear: it will be as much a Lex movie as a Superman movie, with the relationship between the two as a axis of the storyFar from a simple "intimate enemies," the story will test their personal limits and their worldview.
Gunn described the premise as “a story where Lex Luthor and Superman have to work together, to some extent, against a much greater threat”, clarifying that “it is more complex than that.”
The director also highlighted his experience with the cast and his interest in exploring Luthor from within: he assured that enjoyed working with Nicholas Hoult and who feels, in part, identified with the villain's brilliant and methodical mind.
Filming and release dates
Production plans place the start of filming in April 2026, with a US theatrical release set for the July 9, 2027. They are milestones that fit with the map of the new DC Universe in film and television orchestrated by Gunn himself.
The first installment set the commercial bar high with more than $600 million in revenue, consolidating David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult as the new faces of the hero and his antagonist. The sequel will seek to capitalize on that momentum, but with a twist.
Cast and on-screen chemistry
David Corenswet (Clark/Superman) and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) return, a duo whose interaction was one of the focuses of the previous film. Gunn has underlined the chemistry between the two and the dramatic potential of taking it to a terrain of forced cooperation.
In Gunn's DC ecosystem, the film will coexist with other already advanced projects, such as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow with Milly Alcock or the second season of Peacemaker, pointed out by the director as connected pieces within his roadmap.
Villain and Lex's armor
Gunn has not revealed the identity of the great antagonist, although conversation among fans points to Brainiac as a recurring candidate. For now, this is only speculation; the official approach is limited to speaking of a "much greater" threat.
The shared images suggest the possible use of the Luthor armor (Warsuit), a classic resource that equalizes forces when technology tries to match Kryptonian power. Everything indicates that this tool would not be used against Superman, but rather as a response to the common enemy.
Comic book inspiration and tone
The idea of an awkward collaboration has broad precedents in cartoons: from Crisis on Infinite Earths to Forever evil, going through Geoff Johns' stage in Justice League, we have seen Luthor join forces when common evil tightens.
That pattern does not imply friendship: Superman acts out of altruism while Luthor moves out of convenience, a friction that adds layers to their bond. Stories like All-Star Superman have well explored how, in extreme circumstances, the two can coincide while still remaining who they are.
Gunn has also expressed his appreciation for the cast of the universe he coordinates, praising Milly Alcock in Supergirl and teasing the power of Green Lantern. These are touches that place Man of Tomorrow on a larger canvas, without stealing the spotlight from the central duo.
With filming set for April 2026 and a release date on the horizon, Man of Tomorrow outlines a story centered on the creative tension between Superman and Lex Luthor: a tactical collaboration, a large-scale threat, and an approach that splits the spotlight between hero and nemesis to explore, with more nuance, how far each will go when the world is at stake.
