Following the box office success of James Gunn’s Superman in 2025, DC Studios is set to expand the hero’s role in popular culture, already preparing the James Gunn Superman sequel, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, which is scheduled for release in 2027. With Brainiac poised to be the next major antagonist, the upcoming film promises to reshape the landscape for Superman fans worldwide, while reigniting longstanding hopes for iconic DC comic storylines on the big screen.
Building on the Momentum from Superman’s Return
James Gunn’s Superman marked a notable resurgence for DC Studios, reintroducing Clark Kent (played by David Corenswet) as a central figure in the reimagined universe. Bolstered by strong reception and fan demand, DC wasted no time in greenlighting a sequel, officially titled Superman: Man of Tomorrow, slated to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027.
The anticipation for the James Gunn Superman sequel is heightened by the near-confirmation that Brainiac will take center stage as the film’s new villain. Brainiac, long requested by DC fans for a live-action adaptation, offers a fresh threat level compared to past films. David Corenswet’s Superman will reportedly face Brainiac’s cosmic menace, while Nicholas Hoult is expected to portray Lex Luthor, adding intellectual and moral tension to the evolving narrative.
Brainiac’s Arrival: Fulfilling and Defying Past Expectations
The introduction of Brainiac as Superman’s adversary fulfills fan wishes that date back to the early 2010s. Many had hoped Zack Snyder’s DCEU era would showcase this iconic confrontation, especially after the release of Man of Steel. Although Snyder’s original Man of Steel 2 was never produced, early storylines were rumored to include Brainiac as a key villain.
Initial plans for Man of Steel 2, predating James Gunn’s involvement, suggested Brainiac would release prisoners from the Phantom Zone—Krypton’s infamous prison—including Faora-Ul, a survivor of the events of Man of Steel. This would have created an alliance between Superman and his former Kryptonian adversaries to combat Brainiac’s existential threat to all life forms. As creative discussions expanded, actor Henry Cavill and director Christopher McQuarrie also pitched versions involving the Green Lantern Corps, envisioning an even broader cosmic conflict.
“Henry had a take on that, and I suddenly realized how these two characters [Superman and Green Lantern] had amazing similarities, which also allowed for amazing conflict,”
McQuarrie, Director, told the HSC Podcast. And an amazing, universe-expanding resolution.
The Vision for a Sci-Fi Epic Centered on Superman’s Identity
In both Snyder’s and later pitches, the creative intention was to explore Superman’s story on a galactic scale, yet keep the character emotionally grounded. Storylines would have forced Clark Kent—also known as Kal-El—to contend with Krypton’s darker history, including authoritarian tendencies attributed to Kryptonian culture. The story was set against the backdrop of Superman’s journey from naive hero to world leader and role model, inspiring not just humanity, but even some of the universe’s most notorious outlaws.
Zack Snyder’s narrative plans, involving arcs spanning the Man of Steel and Justice League films, aimed for Superman to undergo significant growth. Viewers would have witnessed Clark progressing from a novice hero to a mature, principled leader, shaped by personal failures, redemption, and even a catastrophic timeline manipulated by Darkseid’s Anti-Life Equation. Ultimately, because Man of Steel 2 did not materialize, audiences instead received the storyline focused on Superman’s demise and return, as seen in Batman v Superman and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, leaving the Brainiac confrontation merely a dream for longtime followers.
Man of Tomorrow: A Contemporary Take on Classic Themes
The reportedly leaked plot for Superman: Man of Tomorrow presents a high-stakes scenario in which the cosmic threat of Brainiac compels Superman to team up with his longtime adversary, Lex Luthor. Nicholas Hoult’s Luthor is likely to pursue his own ambitions while joining forces with Superman to protect Earth from Brainiac’s plan to add the planet to his sinister collection. The drama is expected to arise from their uneasy alliance—how long their truce can persist amidst conflicting motives remains an open question.
Despite a departure from earlier versions, the James Gunn Superman sequel intends to capture the same emotional core as the previous unmade films. The final act of Gunn’s first Superman film saw Clark Kent fully reject Krypton’s authority-driven origins—an idea recently reinterpreted in the series—opting instead to embrace his upbringing and ethics shaped by life as an Earthling. This character pivot provides fertile ground for further exploration in Man of Tomorrow. Brainiac, whose comic origins are deeply tied to Krypton, now serves as a narrative device for Clark to confront unresolved questions about his alien legacy and the actions of his birth parents, Jor-El and Lara.
Given the debate around Gunn’s portrayal of Superman’s parentage (where Jor-El and Lara allegedly sent Kal-El to conquer Earth), Brainiac’s involvement could also be used to unravel or reinterpret this controversial backstory. Theories suggest Brainiac might have manipulated or corrupted the message from Kal-El’s parents, introducing fresh motives and ethical dilemmas that must be addressed by both the hero and his planet’s defenders.
Retaining the Heart of Superman’s Arc While Expanding the Cosmos
The heart of the James Gunn Superman sequel, as with previous pitches, remains Superman’s journey toward mature heroism and leadership. While Man of Steel fans won’t see the sequel they once hoped for, Man of Tomorrow holds the potential to honor those themes by positioning Superman as a symbol whose example resonates with both earthly citizens and beings across the galaxy.
Gunn is expected to incorporate cosmic lore and new characters to facilitate Superman’s evolution. With Brainiac representing a universal threat and Lex Luthor’s presence challenging Superman’s ideals, the film could offer rich psychological and ethical conflict. Through these cosmic conflicts, Clark Kent’s values—formed by his dual identities as both Kryptonian and Earthling—stand to be tested and possibly reconciled.
What Lies Ahead for Superman and the DC Universe?
Superman: Man of Tomorrow is poised to usher in a new era for the character in film, giving fans the long-awaited Brainiac confrontation and evolving Superman’s character within the evolving DC cinematic landscape. The movie’s July 2027 release is set to continue Gunn’s reinterpretation of the hero, providing a fresh opportunity for DC Studios to bridge generational fandoms from the Zack Snyder era to the present.
While previous plans involved alliances with the Green Lantern Corps and redemption arcs for Kryptonian prisoners, the current direction focuses on Clark’s relationship to his origins and his uneasy partnership with Lex Luthor. Fans eager for cosmic spectacle and deep character conflicts will find much to anticipate as updates continue to emerge.
DC Studios’ willingness to revisit and rework classic comic book storylines signals a commitment to honoring both the legacy and future of the franchise. As Brainiac’s arrival draws closer, all eyes are on the creative team to see how they will balance homage, innovation, and the enduring appeal of Superman as a hopeful leader—on Earth and beyond.
James Gunn’s Superman sequel arrives in theaters July 9, 2027, setting the stage for a new chapter in the character’s cinematic journey.
