In a swift turn of events, James Gunn has officially announced the next installment in his Superman saga — Superman: Man of Tomorrow, set to hit theaters on July 9, 2027. Although billed as part of the “Superman Saga” rather than a traditional sequel, this announcement comes hot on the heels of the 2025 hit that earned $611+ million worldwide — making it the top-grossing superhero film of the year.
On X, Simu Liu reacted to the announcement of Superman: Man of Tomorrow with a simple blank stare emoji. Fans immediately read it as a tongue-in-cheek response, pointing out the contrast between Superman quickly getting a sequel while Shang-Chi 2 still hasn’t been announced.
DC Strikes Fast
Man of Tomorrow arrives only two years after Gunn’s Superman (2025). The fast turnaround highlights Warner Bros. Discovery’s push to establish the new DCU, with Superman quickly becoming the face of the franchise after its $611 million global haul.
Liu’s Frustration on X
Simu Liu’s post on X was congratulatory on the surface, but fans immediately picked up the subtext — pointing out that Superman has a sequel before Shang-Chi does. Many fans joked about the irony, calling it a “comedic but telling” sign of how Marvel has slowed down compared to DC.
Shang-Chi’s Box Office & Sequel Status
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was released in 2021 and earned around $432 million worldwide. Despite stating a sequel would happen, Marvel Studios still hasn’t moved forward with Shang-Chi 2. The absence of any announcement only fuels speculation about the character’s future.
Liu Returning in Avengers: Doomsday
Simu Liu won’t be absent from the MCU for long. He is confirmed to return in Avengers: Doomsday, releasing December 18, 2026. Liu recently called filming the movie “like a dream,” especially getting to work with Robert Downey Jr., who is returning in a villainous new role as Doctor Doom. Liu teased that “everyone will be blown away” by Downey’s performance.
Shang-Chi Director Moves to Spider-Man
Adding to the situation, Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton is no longer attached to a sequel. Instead, he has moved on to direct Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set for release on July 31, 2026. The project is part of Marvel and Sony’s continued efforts to keep Spider-Man at the forefront while other MCU projects remain in limbo.
Simu Liu’s reaction may have been lighthearted, but it resonated with fans who see the Superman announcement as a sign DC is speeding ahead while Marvel drags its feet on certain franchises.
