Before tackling Superman, James Gunn was already experienced in comic book adaptations, having directed the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker. However, bringing the Man of Steel to the screen required a distinct approach, which Gunn openly acknowledges differed dramatically from his previous work. His direction especially stood out in the action and flying scenes, which elicited mixed reactions from audiences.
Lessons Learned from Superman Informing Man of Tomorrow
In a recent interview with Collider, Gunn, who also serves as DC Studios co-CEO, shared insights into how his experience with Superman shaped his vision for the upcoming Man of Tomorrow, set for release in 2027. He emphasized his experimental approach to filming flight sequences.
“I did a lot of experimental stuff with shooting flying, and I think I learned a lot about what worked and what didn’t work as well,”
Gunn revealed.
And so one of the things I’m the most excited about are these few action sequences in Man of Tomorrow. And so putting those together has been really fun. I always learn a lot with every movie in terms of what works and what doesn’t.”
Gunn elaborated that while Superman’s portrayal proved the concept of the character was effective, there was room for further refinement and innovation.
“I think the proof of concept worked in terms of who Superman was. And then, there are things that I think that can be improved. And not only improved, but just different,”
he explained.
I like my movies to be different. Guardians 1 is not the same as Guardians 3. They’re different.”
The Unique Focus on Lex Luthor and Story Differences
The filmmaker highlighted that Man of Tomorrow will diverge from Superman not only in style but narrative, noting the importance of Lex Luthor’s role in the story.
“And Man of Tomorrow will not be the same as Superman. And it is Lex’s story too, so it’s the two of them. That colors it in a totally different way,”
Gunn revealed.
Unlike the earlier Superman film, which had to reintroduce the DC Universe to audiences after years of underwhelming releases under the DCEU banner, Man of Tomorrow benefits from less pressure to rebuild the franchise. This freedom allows Gunn to take a bolder creative route, focusing less on introducing new characters such as the Justice Gang.
Lex Luthor’s Role in Peacemaker Season 2 and Its Connection
Collider asked if Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor would appear more in the remaining episodes of Peacemaker season 2. Gunn clarified his character’s presence and importance across the projects.
“Oh no, no, we’re not going to be seeing Nick necessarily, but his deal is important to the rest of the season, incredibly important, not only to the rest of the season, but to the Man of Tomorrow as well.”
He stressed that while Peacemaker and Man of Tomorrow share connections, watching Peacemaker is not a prerequisite to enjoying the upcoming film.
“I don’t want people to feel like, if they like Superman and don’t like Peacemaker, I don’t want them to have to watch Peacemaker or vice versa.”
So there’s things that are connected, but when I’m running Man of Tomorrow, I make sure that people can come in just on Man of Tomorrow and understand everything, you know, especially not having to watch Peacemaker.”
Looking Ahead to DC’s Future and Man of Tomorrow’s Impact
James Gunn’s work on DC projects like Peacemaker and Man of Tomorrow fits within a broader 10-year plan to reshape the DC Universe. While specific details about his long-term goals remain undisclosed, it is widely speculated that this trajectory will lead to a future Justice League film after introducing teams like the Justice Gang.
Man of Tomorrow is scheduled for theatrical release on July 9, 2027, offering a fresh perspective on Superman’s story while highlighting Lex Luthor’s complex role, a move likely to reshape fans’ expectations and the franchise’s direction in the coming years.
