James Gunn has revealed the official title for his Superman sequel film – and it'll be released before The Batman Part II

• James Gunn has revealed the official title and release date for Superman 2
• The DCU sequel will fly into theaters in July 2027
• Fans have already come up with some big theories about the comic-book film

Ready for another round of Superman on the big screen? You should be, because James Gunn has revealed the official title and release date for the Man of Steel's next adventure.

Posting on social media yesterday (September 3), Gunn confirmed that his next DC Universe (DCU) project is officially called Man of Tomorrow. The David Corenswet-led sequel is due to fly into theaters on July 9, 2027 – i.e., almost exactly two years after Gunn's Superman movie kickstarted the DCU on the silver screen.

The title and launch date reveals were accompanied by a new piece of art from iconic DC comic-book artist Jim Lee. The illustration, which shows the titular Kryptoninan holding a screwdriver and playfully leaning against long-time adversary Lex Luthor, who can be seen wearing his classic powersuit armor, has already sparked fan discussions about the plot for Superman 2.

In the hours since the announcement, Lee's artwork isn't the only thing that's got fans talking about the DC comic book movie. Indeed, four particular fan theories, which have appeared in threads on the DCULeaks and DC Cinematic Reddit pages, and on ResetEra, plus countless posts on other social media apps, have dominated online discussions since Man of Tomorrow's unveiling. So, let's break them down.

Full spoilers follow for 2025's Superman film. Proceed with caution if you haven't seen it yet.

1. Superman and Lex Luthor will form an uneasy alliance in Man of Tomorrow

Perhaps the biggest fan theory to emerge since yesterday's announcement is that Superman – real name Clark Kent/Kal-El – and Luthor will team up to defeat a common foe.

Some readers might immediately scoff at that suggestion. After all, Luthor tried to take down Supes in the first DCU Chapter One movie. But for the intervention of the Man of Steel's allies, Luthor would've succeeded, too; instead, he was defeated and carted off to Belle Reve Prison.

Why, then, would Superman's arch-nemesis help him in Gunn's next film? Maybe the Man of Steel needs someone like Luthor, who's incredibly clever and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, to combat something or someone that poses a significant threat to the Earth. Luthor could be swayed into aiding Supes and protecting the planet by having his sentence reduced if he agrees to help.

A similar carrot has been dangled in front of various supervillains in DC comics, movies, TV shows, and games throughout the decades, so there's no reason why Gunn couldn't use this plot device in Man of Tomorrow, either. Based on a piece of art posted on Corenswet's Instagram account (see above), which was drawn and inked by Jorge Jimenez, and shows Supes and Luthor lined up and battle-ready, it seems the duo will form an uneasy alliance at some point in Superman 2.

Of course, it's possible – nay, highly likely – that Luthor will betray Kent at some point.

A third illustration, one drawn by Mitch Gerads, appeared in the Instagram account of actor Nicholas Hoult, who plays Luthor in the DCU. The artwork, which you can see above, doesn't just reveal the pair squaring off, but shows Luthor wearing his powersuit to battle Kent. Could we see them duke it out in Man of Tomorrow's final act after they defeat their common enemy? I wouldn't be shocked if we did.

2. Two supervillains are the frontrunners to be Superman 2's primary antagonist

If Supes and Luthor set their differences aside to take on a major threat, there are two primary candidates who, in my view, fit the bill perfectly.

The first – and more likely option – is Brainiac. Another classic DC comic book supervillain, he's a supremely intelligent android who hails from the planet Colu, and who's obsessed with collecting all knowledge in the known universe. Traversing the galaxy, Brainiac finds highly-advanced civilizations and shrinks their most important cities, so he can preserve them for eternity as part of his bottle-based collection.

In the comics, Brainiac is most famous for trapping the Kryptonian city of Kandor, which is Kal-El's real home, inside one of said bottles. Brainiac is also responsible for Krypton's destruction in some DC comic continuities. If he's installed as Man of Tomorrow's primary antagonist, Supes won't need to be asked twice to take down someone who might be responsible for destroying his first home, and who harbors ambitions of doing likewise to his adopted home.

Given how clever Brainiac is, Supes would need someone of a similar intellect, such as Luthor, to metaphorically get inside the mind of a fellow supervillain and formulate a plan to stop him destroying Earth.

If Brainiac isn't Superman 2's Big Bad, General Zod would be another fantastic option.

Supes' fellow Kryptonian, who's been portrayed by Michael Shannon and the late Terrence Stamp in previous Superman live-action film adaptations, would be an ideal fit to continue part of the story outlined in this year's Superman. In that film, we learned that Kal-El's parents wanted their son to conquer the Earth, take numerous wives/girlfriends, and effectively repopulate our planet with Kryptonian-human hybrids to turn it into Krypton 2.0.

Long story short, that doesn't happen. However, Zod – who, as he is in the comics, may or may not be locked away in The Phantom Zone at this point in the DCU – might invade the Earth to finish what Kal-El was supposed to start, if he manages to escape the Kryptonian prison he's (possibly) incarcerated in. Unable to fight Zod and his zealots alone, Supes would need all of the help he can get to defeat them, and that could force him to seek Luthor's help to do so.

3. Man of Tomorrow might feature plenty of other heroes

Kent and Luthor wouldn't be able to do everything on their own, though. They'd need another hero or six, to see off whatever extraterrestrial threat is heading their way.

One actor who's seemingly confirmed that they'll be part of proceedings is Isabela Merced. After playing Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl in Superman and Peacemaker season 2, it seems her third DCU outing will come in Man of Tomorrow. That's based on Merced sharing Gunn's announcement on her own Instagram story, which was accompanied by the caption "see you sooon".

There are plenty of other candidates in the mix. Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi's Michael Holt/Mister Terrific, Milly Alcock's Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and even John Cena's Chris Smith/Peacemaker could all be called upon to help.

But there's someone else who might have confirmed that they'll show up to aid Supes, too.

Aaron Pierre, who's set to play another Green Lantern in John Stewart in forthcoming HBO Max TV Original Lanterns, has heavily implied that he's part of the cast. Indeed, he commented on Gunn's post following the announcement, with Gunn later responding to Pierre's comment with the 'praise hands' emoji. If this isn't code for Stewart appearing in Superman 2, I don't know what is.

4. Man of Tomorrow could lead into The Batman Part II

This is the most outlandish fan theory I've seen since Man of Tomorrow was revealed, but it's certainly worth discussing.

At the time of writing, Man of Tomorrow will arrive in theaters three months before The Batman Part II. The long-overdue sequel to 2022's well-received The Batman, the Robert Pattinson-starring movie will be released on October 1, 2027.

Now, it's likely that it's just a coincidence that Superman 2 and The Batman Part II will be released in the same year. However, there have been plenty – and I mean plenty – of rumors circulating online that Matt Reeves' Bat-Verse could merge with Gunn's DCU, which would see Pattinson officially installed as the DCU's Dark Knight.

I've already covered that speculation extensively, so I won't do so again here. If you want to read why some fans are convinced that Pattinson will become the DCU's Batman, though, check out these pieces on Gunn discussing the DCU Batman movie's script, Gunn saying Reeves' Bat-Verse will remain independent of the DCU, and the hoo-hah around the possibility that Robin will appear in The Batman Part II.

Personally, I don't think Reeves' Bat-Verse will be folded into the DCU. Nonetheless, the prospect of Man of Tomorrow and The Batman Part II launching in close proximity to each other adds fuel to the fire for those convinced it will be. Heck, someone even believe that Superman 2's story will lead directly into The Batman Part II! Until Gunn announces who'll play the Caped Crusader in the DCU, expect this debate to rumble on.

What do you think of the above fan theories? Is there substance to any or all of them? And what do you want to see from Man of Tomorrow? Let me know in the comments.

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