
The DC Universe (DCU) is really getting started! Following the launch with shows and movies like Creature Commandos, Peacemaker Season 2, and Superman, 2026 will bring new projects including Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface. Currently, the only DCU film planned for 2027 is Man of Tomorrow, which will continue the story from Superman. Written and directed by James Gunn, a co-president of DC Studios, filming is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with the movie set to release on July 9, 2027. Because production is starting soon, casting is now actively underway.
Though many familiar faces from the Superman universe are likely to return, it’s still unclear if characters like Mister Terrific and Metamorpho will be included. A new hero, originally planned for an HBO Max series, will also be joining the cast. Plus, a popular Superman villain is finally making his big-screen debut, suggesting that Man of Tomorrow will be both a fantastic Superman movie and a large-scale story within the broader DC Universe.
Clark Kent / Superman – David Corenswet

Warner Bros. Pictures
Even though James Gunn states that Man of Tomorrow isn’t a direct sequel to previous Superman films, it essentially functions as one. David Corenswet will star as Clark Kent / Superman, and the story will see him grappling with revelations about his Kryptonian heritage while strengthening his bond with his adoptive family. He’ll then confront a new alien threat endangering Earth, and surprisingly, will work alongside Lex Luthor, challenging his hope that Luthor possesses a hidden capacity for good.
Lex Luthor – Nicholas Hoult

Warner Bros.
James Gunn has revealed that the upcoming film, Man of Tomorrow, will heavily feature both Superman and Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. This means Superman’s classic enemy is returning, and the two will join forces to battle Brainiac. When the film was first announced, promotional artwork by comic artists Jim Lee, Jorge Jiménez, and Mitch Gerads showcased Lex Luthor wearing his iconic green and purple battlesuit. We last saw Lex Luthor in Season 2 of Peacemaker, where he was in Belle Reeve prison and used his intelligence to make a deal with Rick Flag Sr.
Lois Lane – Rachel Brosnahan
Rachel Brosnahan was fantastic as Lois Lane in Superman, and she’ll be back for Man of Tomorrow. Now that Lois and Superman are a couple, their relationship will develop further, and face challenges with the arrival of Brainiac and a difficult partnership with Lex Luthor. Lois showed in Superman that she’s a determined reporter who isn’t afraid to get involved, and fans hope to see more of that in Man of Tomorrow.
Brainiac – Lars Eidinger

Wild Bunch
Brainiac, a famous villain from DC Comics, will finally appear in a live-action Superman movie after years of being left out. Actor Lars Eidinger will play the role. Director James Gunn has stated he’s using Brainiac’s overall backstory as inspiration, rather than basing the character on any single comic book storyline. He’s also clarified that the new movie won’t closely follow the “Panic in the Sky” comic, despite rumors to the contrary.
John Stewart / Green Lantern – Aaron Pierre

HBO Max
Aaron Pierre will be back as John Stewart, first appearing in the upcoming series Lanterns and then crossing over into the film Man of Tomorrow. This connection between projects, with Lanterns releasing in August 2026 and Man of Tomorrow in July 2027, is similar to how Marvel Studios used to introduce characters and quickly feature them in team-up movies.
We haven’t heard if Nathan Fillion will return as Guy Gardner after his appearance in Superman, but it looks like his character won’t have a happy ending in Lanterns. The new series will feature John Stewart’s Green Lantern alongside Superman and another hero, bringing the DC Universe closer to the classic Justice League team seen in the animated shows.
Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl – Isabel Merced

Warner Bros.
Isabel Merced will reprise her role as Hawkgirl, making her the first Justice Gang member from Superman to appear in the sequel. Director James Gunn has hinted that Hawkgirl’s actions in Superman – specifically, killing President Vasil Ghurkos of Boravia – will have significant consequences for the DC Universe and could be a key reason for her return in Man of Tomorrow.
Hawkgirl, though a different version of the character, was a well-known member of the Justice League in the classic DC animated series, and she famously had a romantic connection with Green Lantern, John Stewart. James Gunn might be hinting at a similar romance in his upcoming film, Man of Tomorrow.
The Engineer – María Gabriela de Faría Chacón

Warner Bros.
As a huge DC fan, I remember when The Engineer was first introduced in the Superman movie. It was exciting because the plan was to eventually give her her own film, The Authority, as part of James Gunn’s initial DCU slate – that ‘Gods and Monsters’ plan he announced. It felt like a really cool way to expand the universe and introduce some new, powerful characters.
Development on the movie The Authority has hit a snag, and although it hasn’t been officially cancelled, many believe it’s been dropped. Meanwhile, James Gunn still seems committed to The Engineer, with actress María Gabriela de Faría Chacón reprising her role in Man of Tomorrow.
Jimmy Olsen – Skyler Gisondo

Warner Bros.
Skyler Gisondo’s portrayal of Jimmy Olsen was a standout in the film Superman, and he’s set to reprise the role in Man of Tomorrow. Beyond that, he’ll also appear in a new HBO Max series centered around the reporters of the Daily Planet, who will investigate crimes involving supervillains. The first season will feature a case revolving around The Flash’s enemy, Gorilla Grodd.
Subscribe to the newsletter for DCU casting & context
Want a deeper lens on the DCU? Subscribe to the newsletter for focused analysis of casting moves, character crossovers, and how Man of Tomorrow fits into the bigger universe—clear, connected coverage for invested fans.
While the show doesn’t have a title yet, Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, known for American Vandal, are leading the project as showrunners and executive producers. The series, starring Jimmy Olsen, will include familiar faces from Superman‘s Daily Planet, and many of those actors are expected to also appear in Man of Tomorrow.
Eve Teschmacher – Sara Sampaio

Warner Bros.
Fans were thrilled to see Eve Teschmacher, played by Sara Sampaio, become a popular character in Superman, and her return in Man of Tomorrow is highly anticipated. The new film leaves us wondering if Lex Luthor will seek revenge on his former girlfriend, who previously disrupted his schemes, or if her relationships with Superman and Jimmy Olsen will protect her. It’s currently unknown what role Eve will play in Man of Tomorrow, but hopefully, the movie will further develop her personality and reveal the intelligence she kept hidden.
Rick Flag Sr. – Frank Grillo

HBO Max
Rick Flag Sr. is quickly becoming a central figure in the new DC Universe, much like Nick Fury is for the MCU. Actor Frank Grillo portrays Flag as a character who starts as a determined hero in Creature Commandos, but later becomes driven by anger and a desire for revenge in Season 2 of Peacemaker.
Rick Flag Sr. was recently seen working with Lex Luthor, investigating dimensional portals and planning a new prison colony called Sanctuary. This plan was partly motivated by his concerns about powerful metahumans interfering with the nation of Borovia. Given that Sanctuary is expected to be a significant plot point in the DC Universe, Rick Flag Sr. could become as important an enemy to Superman as Brainiac.

Found an error? Send it info@movieweb.com so it can be corrected.
Read More
- 4 TV Shows To Watch While You Wait for Wednesday Season 3
- Gold Rate Forecast
- 10 Best Buffy the Vampire Slayer Characters Ranked
- Best X-Men Movies (September 2025)
- 10 Most Memorable Batman Covers
- Every Creepy Clown in American Horror Story Ranked
- 40 Inspiring Optimus Prime Quotes
- All 6 Takopi’s Original Sin Episodes, Ranked
- PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog lineup for July 2025 announced
- 10 Best Connie Episodes of King of the Hill
2026-03-20 16:21