James Gunn has officially put a stop to the swirling speculation about his just-announced Superman follow-up. While Man of Tomorrow will serve as the direct continuation of this summer’s Superman, the DC Studios co-head has confirmed it is not a straightforward “Superman 2.” Instead, Gunn says the project is part of a larger tapestry he has been calling the “Superman Saga.”
Superman and Lex Luthor in a Jim Lee-Created teaser image for the Superman Sequel Man of Tomorrow – X, @JamesGunn
The clarification came directly from Gunn on social media after fans began questioning whether the new film was a traditional sequel or something else entirely.
Gunn Clears the Air
In response to a fan asking whether Man of Tomorrow was the same movie he’d previously described as Superman-centric but not exactly a sequel, Gunn didn’t mince words.
Interesting pic.twitter.com/NLMhhIXlVx
— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) September 3, 2025
“Yes, yes, sorry. This is the same movie. Superman has a major role. It’s not ‘Superman 2,” Gunn said in a social media post reply.
That direct confirmation immediately aligns with months of Gunn’s prior comments. From the beginning, he’s insisted that the second installment would push beyond a simple Superman-versus-villain storyline.
Echoing Past Statements
Back in August, Gunn told outlets like GamesRadar that the film “won’t be your typical ‘Superman 2’ … [it’s] an ensemble-led flick.” He added that Superman would still be “an important element” but the story would unfold “within the group of characters we’ve already met.”
Superman fighting the Hammer of Baravia in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Entertainment Weekly has reinforced that framing, describing Man of Tomorrow as “not quite a traditional sequel” and instead part of the broader Superman Saga—a slate that also includes the already-dated Supergirl (June 26, 2026).
In other words, Gunn has been consistent: Superman’s story is continuing, but in a way designed to expand the DC Universe rather than just follow sequel convention.
What About Lex Luthor?
Adding fuel to fan theories, the promotional image Gunn shared with the release date featured Superman and Lex Luthor standing side by side—not in opposition, but as if they were allies. For a franchise where the two are known as bitter enemies, the art immediately suggested new dynamics could be in play.
Artwork by Jorge Jimenez showing Superman and Lex Luthor in the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow – X
Could Man of Tomorrow see Superman and Lex forced into an uneasy alliance against a greater threat like Brainiac or Darkseid? Or is it simply marketing misdirection? Either way, the visual language signals Lex will be more than a standard villain lurking in the shadows.
Plans Can Still Evolve
Even with Gunn’s clarification, Hollywood plans are rarely set in stone. It’s entirely possible that as scripts are written and productions shift, Man of Tomorrow could lean more into Superman than originally intended—especially if the first film’s success creates demand for more focus on the Man of Steel.
Lex Luthor in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
But what remains certain is this: Gunn does not want the film marketed as Superman 2. He seems to want audiences to understand that Man of Tomorrow is a chapter in a saga, not simply the next number in a line of solo films.
Defining the Superman Saga
The Superman Saga concept positions Clark Kent as the anchor of the new DC Universe while expanding the narrative to include other heroes, villains, and ensemble dynamics. It’s a deliberate attempt by Gunn to differentiate this reboot from past iterations of DC filmmaking.
By rejecting the title Superman 2, Gunn signals that the DCU won’t just follow traditional sequel numbering. Instead, the franchise is being built like an ongoing saga where individual entries matter to the whole.
James Gunn and David Corenswet sit for an interview about Superman – YouTube, Fandango
When Man of Tomorrow arrives on July 9, 2027, it won’t just be a continuation of a single hero’s story. It will be a test case for whether Gunn’s “Superman Saga” approach can redefine how audiences think about Superman on the big screen.
Do you think Man of Tomorrow should just be a straight up Superman 2? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
