James Gunn has confirmed he is developing a sequel to Superman, the well-received film, continuing the story with fresh dynamics. Set for release on July 9, 2027, the follow-up titled Man of Tomorrow will feature Superman, played by David Corenswet, teaming up with villain Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, to battle a greater threat.
James Gunn’s Vision for Man of Tomorrow Versus the First Film
After Superman’s success, Gunn revealed that Man of Tomorrow will differ in tone, exploring complex character interactions unlike its predecessor. The director described the sequel as “slightly tonally different,” emphasizing a more nuanced portrayal of Lex Luthor and Superman’s relationship. This shift reflects emphasis on Lex’s character as more than a straightforward villain, offering fans a deeper understanding of his motivations.
Gunn expressed a keen interest in delving into Lex’s humanity beyond the traditional villain role. He stated,
“The story in Man of Tomorrow is slightly tonally different from Superman… Superman’s more comic-booky in some ways than Man of Tomorrow, and it has to do with the dual characters of Lex and Superman at the center of Man of Tomorrow and other things.”
The filmmaker elaborated on his fascination with Lex’s complexity:
“I’m more interested in getting into the heart of Lex”
and in
“getting to know more of Lex as a human being.”
Gunn highlighted that Lex’s ambition and tenacity offer qualities that verge on heroic, despite moral ambiguity. He remarked,
“There’s something, despite everything, that is incredibly heroic about Lex. Take aside morality, which is hard to do, but here is this guy who’s saying, ‘You can hold up a building. You can shoot down planes with your eyes. F*ck you, I’m going to kick your a*s because I’m better than you.’ I can’t help but admire his tenacity and his ego. I mean, his ambition is beyond compare.”
How These Insights Shape the Story of Man of Tomorrow
Unlike the first film that positioned Clark Kent and Lex Luthor as clear opposites, Gunn plans to invert this narrative for Man of Tomorrow, focusing on their alliance against a common enemy. This approach offers room to showcase Lex’s positive traits, including his intelligence and boldness. Paired with Superman’s kindness and power, this unlikely partnership promises compelling storytelling, possibly in preparation for a confrontation with a new adversary like Brainiac, as speculated by fans.
Superman’s previous film laid emotional groundwork for this development, particularly in the climax where Clark confronts Lex and emphasizes their shared humanity. Clark’s words,
“I am as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning, and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other, and I try to make the best choices that I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human, and that’s my greatest strength. And someday, I hope, for the sake of the world, you understand that it’s yours too,”
demonstrated the potential to explore Lex’s more sympathetic side further.
This powerful moment set the stage for Man of Tomorrow’s thematic focus, aligning with Gunn’s intention to deepen Lex’s characterization beyond villainy.
Evaluating the Evolution of Lex Luthor in the Upcoming Sequel
Lex Luthor has always been a complex adversary to Superman, often portrayed with layers of contradiction. While previous TV adaptations like Smallville explored his sympathetic qualities, film versions rarely gave him such depth until now. Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal in Superman was widely praised for capturing Lex’s multifaceted nature, blending arrogance, intelligence, and vulnerability.
By transforming Lex into more of an antihero in Man of Tomorrow, James Gunn appears to be crafting one of the most compelling cinematic interpretations of the character to date. This direction promises to add richness to the narrative and provoke thoughtful reflection on what it means to be heroic or villainous.
Principal Cast Bringing Characters to Life
The upcoming sequel will see David Corenswet return as Superman/Clark Kent, continuing to explore the hero’s journey with new challenges. Rachel Brosnahan joins the cast as Lois Lane, further enriching the story’s emotional and investigative dimensions. Meanwhile, Nicholas Hoult reprises his role as Lex Luthor, whose complex personality takes center stage in the sequel’s evolving storyline.
The partnership between these characters marks an intriguing shift in the Superman saga, driven by strong performances and Gunn’s visionary writing and direction.
