James Gunn Announces ‘Man of Tomorrow’ as Next Superman Saga Film
Director James Gunn revealed on Instagram that Man of Tomorrow — positioned as the next entry in his “Superman Saga” — will open in theaters on July 9, 2027. The reveal included a Jim Lee drawing of Lex Luthor in a green-and-purple armored suit alongside Superman, and follows Gunn’s recent comments that the project will use characters introduced in his 2025 Superman film without being a direct sequel.
Key Takeaways
- Man of Tomorrow is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027.
- James Gunn announced the project via his Instagram account, sharing artwork by DC chief Jim Lee.
- The illustration shows Lex Luthor in a green-and-purple mech suit, a live-action first.
- Gunn says the film will draw on characters from his 2025 Superman but is not a straight sequel.
- Gunn previously said he has finished a treatment for the next story in the “Superman Saga.”
- Superman (2025) grossed $611.6 million worldwide; Man of Steel (2013) grossed about $670 million globally.
- Other DC projects with release dates: Supergirl on June 26, 2026, and Clayface on September 11, 2026.
Verified Facts
James Gunn announced the title and release date of Man of Tomorrow on September 3, 2025, posting artwork created by Jim Lee to his Instagram account. The piece depicts Lex Luthor wearing a green-and-purple armored suit designed to confront Superman — a visual long present in comics and animation but not previously seen in live-action.
Gunn has been publicly discussing a continuing “Superman Saga” since the 2025 Superman release. At the Peacemaker premiere he told The Hollywood Reporter that he had already completed a treatment for the next story and was working toward production.
The 2025 Superman film introduced a broader roster of DC characters: David Corenswet as Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, plus supporting heroes such as Guy Gardner (Nathon Fillion), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced). That film has earned $611.6 million worldwide to date.
Studio release calendar context: DC Studios lists Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl for June 26, 2026, and James Watkins’ Clayface for September 11, 2026. A 2020 animated feature titled Superman: Man of Tomorrow included the character Lobo; separate reporting notes Jason Momoa will portray Lobo in the live-action Supergirl film.
Context & Impact
Gunn’s announcement signals DC’s intent to expand the cinematic universe around the 2025 Superman rather than reset after that film. Using familiar characters while shifting tone or focus can retain audience interest and allow more varied storytelling within the same continuity.
The Lex Luthor mech suit is an iconic comic-image that could shift the film’s visual language toward a more comic-faithful look. If filmed as depicted, it would be a notable live-action milestone for DC adaptations.
Box-office context: Superman’s $611.6 million global haul makes it the top-grossing comic-book movie of its release year, though it remains below the $670 million global gross of Zack Snyder’s 2013 Man of Steel. The numbers reflect both the title’s commercial reach and the changing international marketplace for superhero films.
Potential creative and commercial effects
- Reusing established characters can reduce audience friction and boost early interest.
- Iconic visuals like Luthor’s mech suit may drive marketing focus and fan engagement.
- A non-direct-sequel approach gives writers latitude for new tones or standalone stories.
Official Statements
“I’ve already finished the treatment for the next story in what I’ll call the ‘Superman Saga,’” Gunn said while promoting his TV series, indicating active development on the follow-up.
James Gunn / The Hollywood Reporter
Unconfirmed
- Full plot details and how Man of Tomorrow connects to the 2025 Superman beyond shared characters.
- Which additional characters from the 2025 film will return and which new castings will be announced.
- Whether Lex Luthor’s relationship with Superman in the new film will remain adversarial or evolve into an alliance.
Bottom Line
Man of Tomorrow is James Gunn’s next confirmed entry in his Superman storyline and is set for July 9, 2027. The announcement and Jim Lee artwork have already sparked fan discussion about live-action adaptations of classic comic imagery and how Gunn will balance returning characters with fresh narrative direction.