What We Know About James Gunn's Superman: Man of Tomorrow So Far

Get ready for a super-sized scoop! James Gunn's highly anticipated sequel, Man Of Tomorrow, is shaping up to be far more than just another Superman movie. Prepare for unexpected alliances, a legendary villain, and some familiar faces from the wider DC Universe.

TL;DR: The Essentials You Need to Know

• Superman and Lex Luthor will reluctantly team up against the iconic villain Brainiac.
• Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. (from Peacemaker) is confirmed to have a "big part" in the story.
• The film is set to hit theaters on July 9, 2027, with filming commencing in April 2026.

The Unlikely Alliance: Superman and Lex Luthor Take On a Galactic Threat

Imagine the shock of seeing Superman, the unwavering beacon of hope, shaking hands with his archnemesis, Lex Luthor. That's precisely the intriguing setup we're promised for Man of Tomorrow, the follow-up to 2025's Superman. This time around, David Corenswet's Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult's brilliant but sinister Lex Luthor will be forced into a reluctant partnership.

Their common enemy? None other than Brainiac, a hyperintelligent cyborg from another world, obsessed with acquiring all knowledge in the known universe. While initial rumors floated other possibilities like 'The Centre,' it's now widely reported that Brainiac is indeed the primary antagonist. After decades of anticipation, Superman fans are finally getting to see this classic villain on the big screen.

James Gunn, who is both writing and directing the film, has emphasized just how central this dynamic will be. Speaking on the Howard Stern Show, he revealed, "It is a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together, to a certain degree, against a much, much bigger threat. And it's more complicated than that. It's as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie. I relate to the character of Lex Luthor, sadly.” This suggests we're in for a deep dive into Luthor's motivations and complexities, making him more than just a one-dimensional villain.

Familiar Faces Confirmed and Intriguing New Rumors Emerge

Beyond our main duo, the cast for Man of Tomorrow is steadily growing, weaving in characters from across the DCU. David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, and Rachel Brosnahan (as Lois Lane, confirmed to have an "important role") are all returning from the 2025 Superman film. However, one of the most exciting confirmations comes from Frank Grillo, reprising his role as Rick Flag Sr.

Grillo has been very vocal about his expanded involvement. "My character, Rick Flag Sr., is a big part of the sequel’s story, so I'm excited about it,” he shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on November 13, 2025. This isn't Grillo's first rodeo in the DCU; he voiced Flag Sr. in the animated Creature Commandos series and appeared in Superman (2025) and Peacemaker Season 2. Fans might even see a physical change in his character, as Grillo humorously recalled in GQ that people "were really mean about my dark hair" in a previous role, hinting at the white hair more associated with the animated Flag Sr.

“My character, Rick Flag Sr., is a big part of the sequel’s story, so I’m excited about it.”

— Frank Grillo, via The Hollywood Reporter (November 13, 2025)

Other rumored or confirmed (via IMDb) cast members include Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Maria Gabriela de Faria as The Engineer, and Milly Alcock as Supergirl. A notable rumor suggests Sol Rodríguez will reprise her Peacemaker Season 2 role as Sasha Bordeaux, a character from A.R.G.U.S. who joined Checkmate and briefly showcased cybernetic abilities. There are also reports circulating about Aaron Pierre potentially playing Green Lantern and John Cena reprising Peacemaker, though these remain less concrete than other confirmations.

Weaving an Interconnected Tapestry Across the DC Universe

One of James Gunn's core promises for the new DCU is a deeply connected narrative, and Man of Tomorrow appears to be a crucial piece of that puzzle. "Everything’s connected, so there is a story here that we’re telling throughout the DCU, and this is connected very much to Man of Tomorrow,” Gunn explained. This means events from other projects, particularly Peacemaker Season 2, will directly influence the Superman Sequel.

Rick Flag Sr.'s expanded role is a prime example of this interconnectedness. In the Peacemaker Season 2 finale, Flag Sr. spearheaded the "Salvation" project, utilizing alien technology to create an alternate dimension where metahumans could be imprisoned. Peacemaker himself was exiled there. This background establishes Flag Sr.'s formidable capabilities and his deep ties to Lex Luthor's team, setting the stage for his involvement in facing Brainiac.

Consider a scenario where a production team, much like the one behind Man of Tomorrow, is meticulously planning how each character's journey influences the broader narrative. They might decide that a character like Rick Flag Sr., known for his pragmatic and often antagonistic stance, is the perfect figure to bridge the gap between separate story arcs. His actions in Peacemaker Season 2—establishing a dimensional prison—aren't just a standalone plot point; they become a crucial setup for the cosmic threats Superman and Lex Luthor will face, demonstrating a deliberate, long-term vision for the DCU's intertwined destiny.

The Production Timeline and the Foundation of Previous Success

The gears of production are already turning for Man of Tomorrow. James Gunn revealed that filming is expected to commence in April 2026. Frank Grillo confirmed his own 10-week production schedule across the United Kingdom and Georgia, underscoring the scale of this international production. The film is officially slated for a theatrical release on July 9, 2027.

This sequel aims to build on a strong foundation. The first Superman film of 2025 was a notable success, grossing over $600 million worldwide. It also earned an impressive 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from almost 500 reviews. That film saw Superman win back the public's trust, even after Rick Flag Sr. oversaw his transfer into Lex Luthor's pocket-universe prison. The stage is set for an even bigger, more complex adventure.

Counterpoints and Creative Considerations for an Expanding Universe

With an interconnected universe, speculation runs wild about potential crossovers. One interesting idea floated is a Superman/Peacemaker team-up on "Salvation." The theory suggests Flag Sr., perhaps influenced by Luthor, might exile Superman to this dimensional prison, leading to an unlikely encounter with John Cena’s Christopher Smith.

However, this exciting crossover idea faces a couple of significant creative hurdles. Firstly, integrating John Cena's Peacemaker into Man of Tomorrow might inadvertently overshadow Lex Luthor, who is confirmed to be a co-lead in the film. Secondly, if Superman and Luthor are meant to be reluctant allies against the existential threat of Brainiac, it creates a logical inconsistency for Luthor to orchestrate Superman's imprisonment just as his help is most needed. James Gunn would need to deftly navigate these potential conflicts to maintain narrative coherence within his grand vision.

Practical Takeaways for Anticipating Fans

• Mark Your Calendars: Man of Tomorrow is set to premiere on July 9, 2027.
• Expect the Unexpected: Superman and Lex Luthor teaming up against Brainiac promises a fresh dynamic.
• Keep an Eye on the DCU: The film will deeply integrate with other DC projects, so catching up on Peacemaker Season 2 might offer extra context.
• Lex Luthor Takes Center Stage: This movie promises significant character development for Superman's iconic foe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Man of Tomorrow When is Man of Tomorrow being released? The film is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027. Who is directing Man of Tomorrow? James Gunn is both writing and directing the sequel. Who is the main villain in Man of Tomorrow? The iconic DC villain Brainiac is widely reported to be the primary antagonist. Will this film connect to other DC projects? Yes, James Gunn has explicitly stated that "everything’s connected" in the DCU, with events from Peacemaker Season 2 directly influencing Man of Tomorrow. Sources

• DC Comics News - "Man of Tomorrow: A DC Cyborg To Appear in Superman Movie" (November 12, 2025)
• GamesRadar - "Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow could bring in Sasha Bordeaux" (Undated, but published after November 14, 2025 based on content)
• The Hollywood Reporter - "‘I’m excited about it’: Frank Grillo teases Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow" (November 14, 2025)
• The Direct - "Peacemaker Star Announces Their ‘Big Part’ In Superman 2: Man of Tomorrow" (November 14, 2025)
• Digital Spy - "Frank Grillo Confirmed for Man of Tomorrow, James Gunn’s Superman Sequel" (November 13, 2025)
• Beebom - "Man of Tomorrow: Frank Grillo Confirms a Big Role for Rick Flag" (November 14, 2025)
• ScreenRant - "Peacemaker Star Announces Their ‘Big Part’ In Superman 2: Man of Tomorrow" (Undated, but published after November 14, 2025 based on content)