James Gunn has confirmed fan theories that Superman: Man of Tomorrow will see Superman and Lex Luthor forced to work together against a larger enemy.
Speaking on The Howard Stern Show, Gunn 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.”
This is part of our ongoing coverage of James Gunn's Superman sequel. Full details in our Man of Tomorrow guide.
Gunn added, “It’s as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie. I relate to the character of Lex, sadly.”
Filming Timeline
Gunn also offered an update on when the sequel will start production, saying, “Although I am creating the Superman sequel that we’re starting to shoot in April or so. … I’m done writing that for the most part.”
Lex’s motivation
Gunn also explained Lex’s motivation, “Three years ago, before Superman came along, he was considered the greatest guy in the world, even with other metahumans and superheroes in the world. And then in one fell swoop, this guy comes in wearing a silly costume with dimples and a charming smile and a great chin and he’s forgotten.”
Superman and Lex Team-Up
Gunn previously confirmed he completed a full treatment for what he calls the “Superman Saga,” said to consist of four movies.
With David Corenswet returning as Clark Kent and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the sequel is set to pit the two rivals against a common foe — fueling speculation that Brainiac could finally be making his DCU debut.
Fans had already been theorizing that Brainiac or Mongul were the “much bigger threat,” especially after official art (pictured throughout this article) hinted at Superman and Lex initially battling each other before uniting.
Gunn’s confirmation now gives weight to those theories. It has also been reported that Brainiac was originally featured in the Superman post-credits scene, and a featurette released following the movie includes a storyboard of Brainiac.
Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027, following Supergirl in June 2026 and Clayface in September 2026.
The Superman Saga
Superman has now grossed over $614 million at the box office. Gunn previously emphasized that the sequel isn’t simply “Superman 2,” but a continuation of the larger narrative he is building for the DCU, which we now know will also focus on Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor.
With the confirmation that Superman and Lex Luthor will be teaming up against a much bigger threat, fans can expect more speculation over whether Brainiac, Mongul, or another villain is waiting in the wings.
Who is your pick? Let us know in the comments below.
