‘Man of Tomorrow’ Production Wraps as James Gunn Prepares for DCU’s Next Chapter

James Gunn’s second venture into the DC Universe has officially wrapped production. Following the impressive success of 2025’s ‘Superman,’ which grossed over $614 million globally and reintroduced fans to a more hopeful portrayal of the Man of Steel, Gunn quickly announced his next installment for the franchise.

The sequel, ‘Man of Tomorrow,’ began filming on April 20, 2026, bringing back David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor to continue the narrative Gunn initiated in his DCU relaunch. This project also marks a unique moment for Gunn, who took on the roles of writer and director while simultaneously managing DC Studios’ broader slate as co-CEO alongside Peter Safran.

With production on ‘Man of Tomorrow’ now complete, the shoot has spanned several months, featuring set photos, teased footage, and an expanding cast. The film explores a tense partnership between Superman and Lex Luthor as they are compelled to unite against a much greater threat. Gunn has previously noted that this project serves as much as a Lex Luthor film as it does a Superman one.

The looming threat in the film is Brainiac, portrayed by Lars Eidinger, marking the character’s first live-action film appearance. Gunn hinted at this setup during a CinemaCon video earlier this year, with Corenswet teasing that audiences would “try saving the world with your sworn enemy,” while Hoult mentioned that the plot revolves around “a new villain and an unlikely alliance.”

The returning cast retains much of the world Gunn established in the first film. Rachel Brosnahan is back as Lois Lane, with Skyler Gisondo reprising his role as Jimmy Olsen and Isabela Merced returning as Hawkgirl. Nathan Fillion is back as Guy Gardner, Frank Grillo reprises Rick Flag Sr., and Aaron Pierre returns as Green Lantern John Stewart after his appearance in ‘Lanterns.’ Milly Alcock also reprises her role as Supergirl, alongside newcomers Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

Gunn’s portrayal of the character has drawn comparisons to Grant Morrison’s ‘All-Star Superman,’ focusing on a version of Clark Kent characterized by genuine kindness and moral clarity instead of brooding angst. This tonal consistency appears to carry into ‘Man of Tomorrow,’ which aims to deepen the relationship between hero and villain established in the first film while significantly raising the stakes with Brainiac’s introduction.

Throughout the shoot, production photos surfaced, giving fans a sneak peek at Corenswet in the full Superman costume, along with glimpses of Hoult as Lex Luthor, generating excitement online despite most plot details being kept under wraps. Gunn has maintained a tight lid on specifics regarding the villain’s role and the exact nature of the threat facing the film’s central duo.

With filming now complete, ‘Man of Tomorrow’ transitions into post-production ahead of its scheduled release on July 9, 2027, allowing Warner Bros. and DC Studios about a year to finalize the film before it hits theaters. This project remains a key part of Gunn’s broader ‘Chapter One: Gods and Monsters’ initiative, which aims to establish a new shared continuity for the DCU moving forward.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!