James Gunn, head of DC Studios, has unveiled exciting details about the upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, which will showcase a groundbreaking narrative twist. In this highly anticipated film set to hit theaters on July 9, 2027, audiences will witness a unique alliance as Superman, portrayed by David Corenswet, is compelled to make common cause with his longtime nemesis, Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. This marks a significant departure from traditional portrayals of Luthor as an unwavering antagonist.
During a recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Gunn elaborated on the dynamic between Superman and Luthor, stating, “It’s a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together.” He emphasized that this upcoming blockbuster will blend Luthor’s character arc with Superman’s, making it as much a Lex movie as it is about the Man of Steel. It is a historical moment since this is the first instance that Superman and Lex Luthor will unite on screen in a live-action film.
In addition to Man of Tomorrow, Gunn is also developing another villain-centric film called Clayface; however, in this case, the character Matt Hagen is not positioned as a hero. The concept of a villain taking on a heroic role is not entirely new to comic book adaptations, with various DC and Marvel titles exploring similar themes.
Historically, the approach of centering a villain as a protagonist can be traced back through several notable films. The 2004 film Catwoman, despite its critical failure, presented an anti-hero in Patience Phillips as she transformed into the titular character to combat a corrupt cosmetics empire. The 2016 film Suicide Squad featured a team of notorious villains, including Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Deadshot (Will Smith), who find themselves reluctantly doing the government’s bidding.
Other examples include Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War, which closely follows its central villain, Thanos, and the acclaimed Joker, which portrays the slow descent of Arthur Fleck into madness and villainy, ultimately earning Joaquin Phoenix an Academy Award for Best Actor. Films like Venom and Morbius similarly focus on traditionally villainous characters, providing nuanced perspectives on their stories.
As the DC Universe evolves under Gunn’s visionary leadership, viewers can look forward to new and refreshing storylines that challenge the norms of hero-villain dynamics. The collaboration between Superman and Lex Luthor in Man of Tomorrow not only promises to deepen the narrative complexity of these characters but may also invite audiences to reconsider their perceptions of heroism and villainy in superhero cinema.