Superman’s Ending Hits Very Different Now That It’s on Streaming

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When James Gunn’s *Superman* first came out, its ending felt straightforward and typical for a superhero movie: Superman defeated the villain, shared a romantic moment, and left audiences with a hopeful message. The film’s conclusion also hinted at future storylines for several DC characters, including the introduction of Milly Alcock as Supergirl and the emergence of a new team-now known as the Justice Gang-which has since appeared in *Peacemaker*, effectively replacing the original Justice League in the DC Universe.

The first movie didn’t really set the stage for a follow-up. Although a sequel, *Superman 2*, was likely if the film did well in theaters, the original movie didn’t include much to directly hint at it. Even the scene after the credits was just a joke, not a preview of what was to come. However, after the movie came out in theaters and became available on HBO Max, things changed with the announcement of *Man of Tomorrow*. The sequel is scheduled for release in 2027, and its story adds new meaning to how the first movie ended.

Lex Luthor’s Defeat Is Different Knowing He’ll Team-Up With Superman

At the end of the movie *Superman*, Lex Luthor was taken to Belle Reve prison, and most fans assumed he’d eventually escape and return. He’s such an important character that it seemed unlikely he’d be gone for good, especially since he wasn’t killed. People generally expected him to come back as a villain, maybe even leading a team of other criminals. However, it’s now been announced that in the upcoming story, *Man of Tomorrow*, Lex and Superman will actually team up to face a much bigger danger – a surprising twist that wasn’t suggested at all in the original movie.

Lex Luthor’s intense hatred for Superman drove him to betray his city and even risk its destruction to defeat the hero. However, the new film hints at a shift in their relationship, potentially leading to a reluctant partnership. It seems Superman’s powerful message about humanity at the end of the previous film may have had an impact on Luthor, as the movie’s central ideas echo those themes.

Look, this performance really got to me. The actor beautifully portrays someone incredibly relatable – a person who feels, who struggles, who just *tries* their best each day, even when they’re terrified or unsure. They make mistakes, a lot of them, but that’s precisely what makes them so compelling. It’s a powerful reminder that our imperfections aren’t weaknesses, but our greatest strengths, and honestly, I hope the film’s message – that embracing our humanity is crucial – really resonates with audiences. It’s a deeply moving portrayal of what it means to be human.

Lex initially dismissed Superman’s words, but prison and a greater global threat – something even worse than he imagined Superman could be, like Brainiac – might force him to reconsider. He could realize they need to cooperate to save the world, accepting that everyone makes mistakes and they must simply strive to do better. This would create a compelling connection between the endings of *Superman* and *Man of Tomorrow*, and explain why Lex is willing to temporarily team up with Superman, now understanding his human side, even if he doesn’t particularly like him.

Superman is now streaming on HBO Max. Man of Tomorrow will be released on July 9th, 2027.

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2025-09-19 21:41