It finally happened. James Gunn just blew up the internet again, and this time it’s all about Superman. The filmmaker has officially announced Man of Tomorrow, the next entry in his self-described “Superman Saga,” and the hype levels are already out of this world. Scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027, the reveal came straight from Gunn’s Instagram, and it’s safe to say that fans are already spiraling into theories, memes, and excited chaos.
And here’s the kicker—it’s not a direct sequel to Superman. Instead, Gunn promises something different but still deeply connected to the world we’ve already fallen in love with.
The Big Reveal That Sent Fans Into Orbit
Along with the announcement, Gunn shared an illustration by DC legend Jim Lee, and wow, it’s a stunner. The drawing shows Lex Luthor rocking his iconic green and purple mech suit—something comic book fans have been waiting literal decades to see in live action. Beside him stands Superman, but not in the middle of an epic punch. Nope, Clark is leaning casually against Luthor’s armor, a screwdriver in hand, and sporting a little smirk.
Yes, you read that right. Superman looks like he’s helping Lex fix his battle suit. Talk about a plot twist before the movie even begins. The internet immediately latched onto this detail, and theories about a possible uneasy alliance between Superman and his greatest enemy are spreading faster than a speeding bullet.
Why Fans Are So Obsessed With This Announcement
Part of the excitement is that Gunn has been teasing this project for weeks. In interviews, he made it clear that his next movie wasn’t going to be a straightforward Superman 2. Instead, he called it the next chapter of the “Superman Saga,” suggesting a broader universe of interconnected stories rather than a traditional sequel format.
And after the massive success of Superman earlier this year, which introduced David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, Nicholas Hoult as a chilling Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan as a sharp and modern Lois Lane, expectations are sky-high. Gunn also filled the movie with DC favorites like Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced). Now, fans are buzzing to see which new faces might show up in Man of Tomorrow.
A Nod to Superman History
Here’s where things get even more interesting. The title Man of Tomorrow isn’t new—it’s one of Superman’s classic nicknames, and it’s been used in comics and animation for years. In 2020, DC released an animated film called Superman: Man of Tomorrow, which featured Lobo and Martian Manhunter. That version took cues from the 2003 miniseries Superman: Birthright, a modern reimagining of Clark Kent’s origins.
Does Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow pull from these stories? He’s keeping quiet for now, but the Jim Lee art suggests that at the very least, we’ll see Luthor’s mech suit in live action for the first time—a detail fans have been begging for since forever.
The State of the DC Universe
Gunn’s announcement doesn’t come in a vacuum. DC Studios has a packed lineup leading into Man of Tomorrow. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming before Superman takes flight again:
- Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie, lands on June 26, 2026
- Clayface, a horror-inspired take from James Watkins, drops on September 11, 2026
With these films building momentum, Man of Tomorrow will likely arrive at a point when the DC Universe feels fully alive, giving fans a connected, sprawling world to sink their teeth into.
Superman’s Box Office Power
Let’s not forget—the recent Superman movie made a serious impact at the box office, pulling in $611.6 million worldwide. While that number doesn’t quite reach the heights of 2013’s Man of Steel ($670 million globally), it’s still the year’s top-grossing comic book film.
And in today’s tougher theatrical market, especially for superhero flicks, that’s a big win. It also proves that audiences are still hungry for Superman stories—as long as they bring something fresh to the table. Gunn seems to understand that better than anyone, which is why Man of Tomorrow already feels like it has the potential to top its predecessor.
The Lex Luthor Question Everyone Is Asking
At the end of Superman, we saw Lex Luthor in tears, being dragged into custody. It felt like the perfect villain arc closer—until Gunn’s Instagram post basically screamed, “Not so fast.” With Luthor now suiting up in his comic-accurate mech armor, fans are convinced his story is far from over.
But here’s the fun part. The Jim Lee art doesn’t show a brutal fight. It shows Superman casually fixing something for Lex, almost like they’re… allies? Could Gunn actually be teasing an uneasy partnership between the two icons? Maybe a team-up against a bigger threat?
Fans are eating this theory up, with comments flooding social media like:
- “Enemies to reluctant allies? Inject it into my veins.”
- “Superman fixing Lex’s mech suit is the bromance I didn’t know I needed.”
- “If they team up, who’s the bigger drama queen—Clark or Lex?”
The speculation game is officially on, and DC fandom thrives on exactly this kind of mystery.
James Gunn’s Master Plan
Gunn has been refreshingly open about his vision for DC. He doesn’t see these movies as one-offs but as pieces of a much bigger story. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he had already written the treatment for Man of Tomorrow before Superman even premiered. That kind of planning suggests we’re in for a carefully plotted saga, not just random sequels slapped together.
If Superman was about introducing the new faces of DC, then Man of Tomorrow looks like it could be about deepening those relationships and pushing the story into uncharted territory. And if Gunn really is willing to show Superman and Lex on the same side, even temporarily, it could be one of the boldest creative moves in superhero cinema in years.
Why This Announcement Matters So Much
Superhero fatigue is real. Marvel has slowed down, other DC films have struggled, and fans are more skeptical than ever. But Superman is different. He’s the original superhero, the symbol of hope, and the character people keep coming back to.
By framing Man of Tomorrow as part of a larger “Superman Saga,” Gunn is positioning the character not just as a hero, but as the centerpiece of DC’s comeback strategy. And judging by the online reaction, fans are absolutely here for it.
Man of Tomorrow Announced by James Gunn With a Surprising Superman Tease
James Gunn knows how to get people talking, and with Man of Tomorrow, he’s done it again. Between the release date reveal, the jaw-dropping Jim Lee art, and the endless speculation about Superman’s relationship with Lex Luthor, this announcement has completely taken over geek culture conversations.
So mark your calendars for July 9, 2027. Superman is returning, Lex Luthor is suiting up, and James Gunn is making sure the DC Universe feels exciting again. Until then, fans will be doing what they do best—debating, theorizing, and counting down the days.
