DC’s Confirmed Past Superman Actor Return In Clark Kent’s Next Release Comes At The Perfect Time

by

As a critic, I’m really excited about the return of Superman next month! It’s a fantastic move seeing a former Man of Steel actor stepping into a different DC role, and honestly, it couldn’t have come at a better moment for the franchise. We’ve got David Corenswet embodying the new Superman within the shared DC Universe, but it’s good to remember that’s not all DC has planned – there’s plenty more on the way!

James Gunn and Peter Safran, who are jointly leading DC Studios, have clearly explained their plans for DC films and TV shows. They’ve created a new label called ‘DC Elseworlds’ for stories that aren’t part of the main DC Universe timeline. This means projects like the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux starring Joaquin Phoenix and the The Batman films with Robert Pattinson will exist separately from the core DCU.

Several TV shows, including the animated series Harley Quinn, HBO’s The Penguin, and other DC projects, won’t be connected to the main DC Universe (DCU). These shows will exist on their own or in separate universes. The upcoming Superman story launching next month falls into this category. Although David Corenswet, the new Superman, won’t be involved in the 2026 Man of Steel project, at least two other actors who have played Superman will be.

Jack Quaid, famous for playing Hughie in The Boys, will voice Superman in the third season of My Adventures with Superman. The animated series is back on HBO Max June 14th, and this season features Darren Criss (known for his role as Superman in the Tomorrowverse) as Superboy – a welcome addition for fans.

Darren Criss’ DC Return Is Perfect Before James Gunn’s Next Superman Movie

Criss Reeves powerfully voiced Superman in a series of DC animated films known as the Tomorrowverse. This franchise wrapped up in 2024 with a three-part adaptation of the classic ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ storyline. While his final performance as Superman is noteworthy, many fans are excited about his very first role as Clark Kent in 2020’s Superman: Man of Tomorrow. Now, returning to the DC universe as Superboy six years later, his timing couldn’t be better, especially considering the connection to the live-action films.

The title Man of Tomorrow isn’t just a nod to Darren Criss’s initial portrayal of Superman; it’s also the name of the upcoming Superman sequel in the DC Universe. This new Man of Tomorrow will continue the story of David Corenswet as Clark Kent and is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027. It’s a fun coincidence that Criss is revisiting the role around the same time as a major live-action film with the same title as his first appearance as the hero. And after watching season 3 of My Adventures with Superman, it might hint at further exploration of DC’s Tomorrowverse.

How James Gunn’s Man Of Tomorrow Can Be Different From Darren Criss’

Before DC Studios chose Man of Tomorrow as the title for its upcoming Superman sequel, the animated division used it for a film that launched a new animated universe. That movie, featuring Criss’s first portrayal of Superman, established the franchise now known as the Tomorrowverse. However, despite sharing a title, the animated movie and the DCU film will likely be very different. The animated Man of Tomorrow focused on Superman’s early days and origins, offering a simple introduction to the hero, while the DCU film is incorporating many established elements of the DC Universe from the start.

The upcoming 2027 film will replace the villain Parasite with Brainiac and will include several DC Universe heroes like Green Lantern John Stewart and the Justice Gang, with potential for even more appearances. The movie also reimagines Lex Luthor’s role, making him a co-lead who must team up with Superman to fight Brainiac. The recent casting of Superboy in season 3 of My Adventures with Superman feels particularly relevant to this new film, adding an interesting connection, though the movie will still be its own separate story.

Read More

2026-05-20 01:38