James Gunn has explained why Kryptonian heroes, particularly Superman and Supergirl, are central to the early phase of his new DC Universe (DCU) reboot, which begins 12 years after the original Man of Steel film. The reboot launched with Superman, starring David Corenswet, and will be followed by Supergirl, played by Milly Alcock, debuting in theaters next June, reflecting Gunn’s intentional focus on the Super-Family as the backbone of this fresh DCU era.
In the book Superman: The Art and Making of the Film, Gunn detailed the design behind DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, comparing it to Marvel’s Phase 1. He shared that the initial projects were conceived not only to stand alone but also to fit into the grander narrative he envisions. Gunn highlighted the richness of DC’s character roster, stating,
“I just needed to focus on getting a few stories kick-started. The initial ones in Gods and Monsters were stories I thought I could work in a fun way, and that could work as individual stories and work as part of the larger story I wanted to tell. You can’t really go wrong with all the amazing DC characters out there. You could throw a dart at a bulletin board of characters and build a world and classic story wherever the dart lands.”
— James Gunn, Director and Writer
These initial films include Superman, which Gunn both wrote and directed, and Supergirl, now untitled from its former Woman of Tomorrow subtitle, scripted by Ana Nogueira and directed by Craig Gillespie. Together, these movies situate the Super-Family as the cornerstone of DCU’s first chapter, setting the stage for future stories like Superman’s follow-up, Man of Tomorrow.
Peter Safran, co-CEO alongside Gunn, emphasized the necessity of starting the new DCU with Superman:
“We had to start with Superman. He was our very first DC super-hero, and we are returning him to the center of the new DC Universe.”
— Peter Safran, Co-CEO
Safran also discussed Gunn’s tendency to gravitate toward lesser-known characters whom he can creatively shape without legacy constraints. However, everything changed when Gunn reached out with a clear vision for Superman, explaining,
“James [Gunn], on the other hand, has really been drawn more to kind of the secondary and tertiary characters that don’t have a ton of baggage that he can really imbue with whatever characteristics he wants. And he’s done an incredible job with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and with ‘The Suicide Squad’ and with ‘Peacemaker.’ And then he called me one day, and he said, ‘I have a way in. I know what I want to talk about. I know what the themes of the movie should be.'”
— Peter Safran, Co-CEO
This decisive moment shaped the course of the DCU’s reboot, labeling Superman as the thematic and narrative entrance point into the new universe. The storylines will continue with Kara Zor-El’s Supergirl taking the spotlight in cinemas from June 26, 2026. The film’s marketing campaign is expected to intensify soon, including a strong presence at CCXP 2025, where audiences might see Kara’s journey of cosmic revenge unfold.
Following Supergirl’s debut, Superman returns in Man of Tomorrow on July 9, 2027. This film is expected to feature one of Superman’s major adversaries, as he teams up with Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, to confront Brainiac, who is anticipated to make his long-awaited live-action debut, posing a threat at the Justice League level. Together, these films establish the Super-Family as the narrative centerpieces anchoring the new DCU phase.
Integration of Upcoming DCU Stories and Crossovers
As the DCU continues to evolve, connections linking its various films and television series are becoming increasingly apparent. The upcoming slate is poised to expand this interwoven storytelling, deepening the ties among characters and plotlines. Superman and Peacemaker have already intersected through Lex Luthor’s surprising appearance in Peacemaker’s Season 2.
This momentum is expected to build as HBO’s Lanterns series and the Supergirl film create critical foundations for future developments. According to sources, Man of Tomorrow will serve as the DCU’s first significant crossover event, bringing together multiple story threads. Although not on the scale of a full Justice League ensemble, it will nonetheless offer a pivotal narrative convergence.
Lanterns, which introduces the cosmic guardians of the galaxy, alongside Supergirl’s intense personal journey, sets the stage for Man of Tomorrow to unify key story elements and hint at even larger battles to come. This interconnected approach highlights an exciting future where the DCU’s universe expands through layered storytelling and complex character engagements.
