DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has revealed that the upcoming Superman sequel, titled Man of Tomorrow, will feature a threat far greater than anything seen before in the franchise. Scheduled for release on July 9, 2027, with production beginning in 2026, this film will continue the story of Superman and Lex Luthor, following their intense clash in this year’s blockbuster. Gunn is already building anticipation for the storyline, which will also be supported by a prequel airing now on HBO Max in Peacemaker Season 2. The James Gunn Superman Sequel is set to explore a collaboration between Superman and Luthor against a powerful new enemy.
During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Gunn described the antagonist as a “Thanos-level threat,” indicating a storyline that will unite David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor to face a threat of unprecedented scale.
“It’s a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat.”
— James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
Possible Villains for the Superman Sequel
Following Gunn’s statement, five major candidates from Superman’s rogues’ gallery have emerged as likely contenders to be the mysterious villain in Man of Tomorrow. This threat is expected to surpass even the dangers posed by Lex Luthor and Ultraman in the current DC Universe (DCU).
Brainiac: The Intellectual Menace
Brainiac, a superintelligent android from the planet Colu, is one of Superman’s most iconic and dangerous enemies. Known for collecting knowledge and shrinking entire cities—including Kandor, the Kryptonian capital—into bottles, Brainiac poses a cerebral threat that contrasts with the more physical battles Superman typically faces.
Fans have long awaited Brainiac’s appearance on screen, and Zack Snyder once contemplated including him in Man of Steel 2. James Gunn himself admitted on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that Brainiac was once considered for Superman but the team eventually chose Lex Luthor instead, suggesting Brainiac remains a strong candidate for a future DCU project like Man of Tomorrow.
A Brainiac storyline would provide a solid reason for Superman and Lex Luthor to join forces, requiring not just physical strength but strategic intelligence. Some fans speculate that Brainiac’s color scheme inspired Luthor’s green and purple Warsuit, which might hint at a connection.
Mongul: The Cosmic Conqueror
Mongul, ruler of Warworld, is an alien conqueror who invades planets and threatens entire civilizations. His immense power rivals Superman’s, and a Mongul invasion could threaten all of Earth, potentially forcing every hero into alliance against him.
Interestingly, Mongul’s daughter Mongal, a villain portrayed by Mayling Ng in The Suicide Squad, has already appeared in the DCU. Since James Gunn’s earlier DCU works are only partially canon, Mongal’s presence could be rewritten or removed to accommodate Mongul’s arrival in Man of Tomorrow.
Bizarro: The Distorted Reflection
Bizarro is known as a doppelganger of Superman, created through various origins such as a failed clone or from the bizarre Bizarro World. The existing Codenswet Superman has already encountered Ultraman, a clone fashioned by Lex Luthor with similar but flawed powers.
Ultraman’s journey through a black hole beneath Metropolis could lead to a further return as a corrupted version of Superman, making room for Bizarro to emerge in future stories. When asked about Bizarro’s potential inclusion, James Gunn said,
“We’ll have to see where we go next.”
— James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
The appearance of Bizarro would add complexity to the Superman-Luthor dynamic, especially as Ultraman originated from Luthor’s cloning experiments. However, it might be too soon to revisit similar themes in the Man of Tomorrow sequel.
General Zod: The Kryptonian Threat
General Zod, another survivor of Krypton with powers on par with Superman, often seeks conquest of Earth. His introduction could deepen the DCU narrative about Superman’s origins, especially considering the recent revelations about Kryptonian parents harboring questionable motives.
Despite his potential, a Zod storyline is unlikely soon given his repeated appearances in earlier Superman films, including Christopher Reeve’s, Henry Cavill’s, and Michael Shannon’s recent return in the 2023 film The Flash. That movie’s poor reception further diminishes the chances of revisiting Zod shortly.
Lex Luthor’s hatred of Superman is well known, and it would be intriguing to see how he reacts to an alien from Superman’s home planet threatening Earth, possibly validating some of his deepest fears.
Lobo: The Ruthless Mercenary
Lobo is an intergalactic mercenary from the planet Czarnia, known for his violent fighting style, wielding a chained hook and riding a space bike. He is often seen as a near-perfect physical match to Superman though with a far more chaotic approach.
Moviegoers will first meet Lobo, portrayed by Jason Momoa, in 2026’s Supergirl. Reports from Nexus Point News, citing unnamed sources, suggest Lobo might appear in Man of Tomorrow as a villain. Notably, Lobo does not feature in the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comics that the film adapts, indicating his role could be specifically crafted for the movie universe and set up for his significant part in the Superman sequel.
What This Means for the Future of the DCU
With Man of Tomorrow set to begin production soon, James Gunn is charting an ambitious path for the DCU’s next chapter. Introducing a villain that compels Superman and Lex Luthor to collaborate promises a fresh dynamic and an unprecedented threat level. The potential candidates—Brainiac, Mongul, Bizarro, Zod, and Lobo—all bring unique challenges, whether intellectual, cosmic, or physical, that could reshape the universe’s landscape.
This sequel is positioned to extend the narrative beyond the individual conflicts seen previously, aligning with the director’s vision of a layered, expansive DC Universe. Fans can expect a film that not only raises stakes dramatically but also deepens the characters’ relationships and the overarching mythology. As more details emerge, speculation will continue, but Man of Tomorrow is already set as a pivotal moment for the Superman saga and the wider DC Cinematic Universe.
