James Gunn has unveiled the next installment in his epic Superman Saga, captivating fans with an intriguing glimpse into the future. On Wednesday, the filmmaker took to Instagram to announce that "Man of Tomorrow" will soar onto theater screens on July 9, 2027. Accompanying this thrilling revelation was a striking illustration by DC Comics' head honcho, Jim Lee, depicting Lex Luthor encased in a menacing green and purple mech suit, with Superman leaning casually against him. The Man of Steel sports a subtle smile as he holds a screwdriver, hinting at an unspoken camaraderie amidst the tension.
For decades, Luthor's armored suit, specifically designed to combat Superman, has been a staple in comics and animations but has never materialized in live-action form—until now. Gunn has been skillfully teasing this new venture for weeks, revealing that while it won't serve as a direct sequel to his recent "Superman," it will introduce familiar faces from his summer smash hit.
"I've wrapped up the treatment for the next chapter in what I fondly refer to as the 'Superman Saga,'" Gunn shared with The Hollywood Reporter during the premiere of his TV show "Peacemaker" last month. "I'm diligently working on it and hope to commence production in the near future."
While the plot remains shrouded in mystery, it's worth noting that an animated film titled "Superman: Man of Tomorrow" was released in 2020, featuring Lobo (played by Jason Momoa in the upcoming "Supergirl"). This animated gem was based on the 2003 miniseries "Superman: Birthright," which offered a modern retelling of the iconic hero's origin story.
On the horizon, DC Studios boasts filmmaker Craig Gillespie's "Supergirl," slated for June 26, 2026, and James Watkins' horror flick "Clayface," set to terrify audiences on September 11, 2026.
Fresh off the heels of his critically acclaimed "Superman," which not only garnered rave reviews but also introduced a multitude of fresh characters to the DC Universe, Gunn has left fans eagerly anticipating more. Alongside Superman (David Corenswet), Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), the film introduced heroes such as Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced).
With a global box office tally of $611.6 million, "Superman" stands tall as the year's highest-grossing comic book movie. However, this figure also underscores the challenging theatrical landscape for superhero films, especially on an international scale. (In comparison, Zack Snyder's 2013 "Man of Steel" surpassed $670 million worldwide.)
"Superman" concluded with a tearful Luthor being led away in custody. Wednesday's Instagram post hints at his triumphant return, more resolute than ever. Yet, with Superman's amicable demeanor, perhaps the seeds of an unlikely alliance are being sown. Let the speculation among fans run wild.
