Superman is on track to become the highest-grossing superhero film of 2025, with James Gunn‘s Man of Tomorrow reboot surpassing competitors such as Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This achievement highlights the strong anticipation surrounding Gunn’s latest DC Studios project.
Man of Tomorrow Plot and Collaboration Between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor
James Gunn confirmed that his next film in the DC Universe is Man of Tomorrow, which continues Superman’s story. In this sequel, Clark Kent will be forced to team up with his longtime nemesis Lex Luthor to confront a much greater threat, widely believed to be Brainiac. The dynamic between Superman and Luthor will play a critical role, adding depth to the narrative.
James Gunn Shares Early Storyboard Artwork from the Film
Having completed the fourth draft of the Man of Tomorrow script, Gunn recently provided fans with a glimpse of the storyboards used to outline a significant sequence in the movie. When asked if each storyboard card corresponded to a single shot, Gunn clarified,
No. Some shots take up more than one card because of movement in the shot.
This detailed approach underscores the complex visual storytelling planned for the film.
Distinctive Direction and Story Focus for Man of Tomorrow
In a recent interview, Gunn emphasized that Man of Tomorrow will have a unique tone compared to previous DC movies and even his own Guardians of the Galaxy series. He explained,
I like my movies to be different. Guardians 1 is not the same as Guardians 3. They’re different. 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 colours it in a totally different way.
Gunn further described the film’s connection to his other DC projects, stating,
I don’t know what people have guessed, but Man of Tomorrow is really—it’s very, very connected to Peacemaker—but it’s also its own thing,
and,
I mean, it has its own story that’s separate from this.
This balance between interconnectedness and independence reflects his larger vision for the DC Universe.
Expanding the DC Universe Beyond Man of Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Gunn revealed that Man of Tomorrow is only a part of his broader plan for the DC Universe. He acknowledged uncertainty about his personal involvement with the entire roadmap, saying,
Yes, [my plans] definitely go significantly further than Man of Tomorrow. So whether or not that’ll be me that’s able to fulfil that promise depends on a lot of things in life.
Key Characters and Cast Announced for the Film
Man of Tomorrow will be written and directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, with Nicholas Hoult portraying Lex Luthor. Rachel Brosnahan will take on the role of Lois Lane, Isabela Merced appears as Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl, and Frank Grillo returns as Rick Flag Sr. Rumored appearances include Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart/Green Lantern and John Cena’s Peacemaker. The storyline is expected to involve Salvation and Rick Flag Sr.’s alliance with Lex Luthor, which might explain how the villain teams up against Superman.
Anticipation Builds for Man of Tomorrow’s Release in 2027
Set to premiere in theaters on July 9, 2027, Man of Tomorrow is anticipated to play a significant role within James Gunn’s evolving DC Universe saga. Its distinct narrative and character dynamics could shape future DC films and expand the cinematic storytelling possibilities under Gunn’s direction.
