James Gunn is developing a new Superman film titled Man of Tomorrow, designed to avoid the missteps that hampered the previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Following several years of disappointing results, the freshly launched DC Universe (DCU) aims to regain audience trust by building on the modest success of the 2025 Superman movie, which earned over $600 million globally and received positive reviews from critics and viewers. The new project represents a crucial opportunity to strengthen the DCU’s footing through strategic storytelling and character development.
Upcoming DCU Projects Offer Variety Before Returning to Superman
After the current Superman film, the DCU plans to introduce two other characters: Supergirl and Clayface. These titles carry more risk since they lack Superman’s widespread recognition, especially Clayface, but they showcase the DCU’s intent to diversify its narratives. Following these projects, the franchise will return focus to Superman with Man of Tomorrow, continuing his story in a way that feels more coherent and thoughtfully connected within the universe, avoiding abrupt shifts like those seen in earlier iterations.
Man of Tomorrow as a Direct Continuation of Superman’s Story
Despite its title not explicitly signaling it as a sequel, Man of Tomorrow strongly aligns itself as the direct follow-up to the recent Superman film. Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, re-emerges not merely as a defeated villain but as a co-lead figure alongside David Corenswet’s Clark Kent. The film will further explore Clark’s journey, developing his character as a hero while expanding on his relationships, including with Lois Lane, portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan.
Additional returning characters are anticipated, such as Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl, the Daily Planet team, and Clark’s adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent. The possibility of introducing Clark’s biological parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, remains open. The title suggests a thematic focus on growth and responsibility, emphasizing how Superman and Lex might navigate the complexities of wielding power to improve the world.
Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman has been widely praised, and James Gunn’s world-building delivers a vibrant yet grounded atmosphere that captures the essence of a comic book universe. The sequel promises to offer deeper insight into Clark and Lois’s relationship, Superman’s maturation as a hero, and new conflicts that may even require uneasy alliances.
Reflecting on Henry Cavill’s Superman and Missed Sequel Opportunities
The new Superman sequel also highlights what the earlier Henry Cavill-led films did not achieve. Although Man of Steel performed well financially, its $670 million gross fell short of the billion-dollar benchmarks set by contemporaneous superhero blockbusters like The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises. Warner Bros. had aimed to launch a strong Superman franchise with producer Christopher Nolan’s involvement, but the film received mixed reception, leading to a pivot away from a traditional sequel.
Instead of a clear continuation, the DCEU rushed into ensemble movies such as Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which blended other heroes like Wonder Woman and shifted focus heavily towards Batman, played by Ben Affleck. This change diluted Superman’s central role and showcased the underlying problem of moving too fast into a shared universe without establishing firm individual foundations.
Discussions about what a direct sequel to Man of Steel might have entailed included villains like Metallo and Brainiac, and several filmmakers, including Matthew Vaughn and Christopher McQuarrie, were approached for possible continuation projects. However, these concepts never materialized, underscoring the fragmented approach that undermined early DCEU plans.
DCU’s Strategic Approach to Shared Universe Development
The current DC Universe under James Gunn’s guidance appears to be tackling the concept of a shared superhero universe with more care and patience than the DCEU. Certain initial projects, such as The Authority, have been shelved, signaling a more selective approach. The primary focus remains on individual stories with strong leads, even as characters occasionally intersect to enrich the shared world.
This measured progression avoids prematurely pushing for large crossover events like another Justice League film. Instead, individual films and television shows are being allowed to stand on their own, while still contributing pieces toward a larger, cohesively built universe. This strategy mirrors the early success model of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) more closely than the DCEU’s rushed expansion.
Such a framework should improve the longevity and impact of the DCU, providing a solid foundation for projects like Man of Tomorrow and future offerings.
Release Timeline and Anticipated Impact
The 2025 Superman movie is currently available on video-on-demand platforms, while Supergirl will debut on June 26, 2026. The movie Clayface is scheduled for release on September 11, 2026, with Man of Tomorrow following on July 9, 2027. This well-paced rollout aims to build momentum and gradually deepen audience investment in the DCU.
By advancing the Superman story with a clear, direct sequel, James Gunn has the chance to correct past errors, solidify the franchise’s core, and help the DCU mature into a respected and consistently engaging shared universe for superhero fans and general audiences alike.
