Superman and Lex Luthor Team Up? James Gunn Partially Reveals Sequel Plot

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James Gunn has spoken for the first time about the plot of the "Superman" sequel and confirmed that the new story will center not only on the Man of Steel, but also his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor.

This time, their paths will cross in a way that forces the heroes to unite against a far more serious threat. The film has been titled "Man of Tomorrow" and will hit theaters on July 9, 2027.

The Sequel's Plot

According to Gunn, this won't just be a story of conflict, but rather a duet between two dynamic characters. Superman and Luthor are forced to temporarily set aside their feud and work together when a new planetary-scale threat emerges on the horizon.
It's more complex, but that's an important part of the story. This is a Lex movie as much as it is a Superman movie. I loved working with Nicholas Hoult. Unfortunately, I find similarities between myself and Lex's character. I really wanted to create something outstanding with both of them. I really love the script.
Variety reports the director's words

Key Details

  • Filming is planned to begin in April 2026.
  • The title "Man of Tomorrow" directly references Superman comics.
  • Fans have already spotted Superman alongside Luthor in armored suit on Jim Lee's concept art.
  • The return of David Corenswet (Clark Kent) and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) is guaranteed.

How the Heroes Will Look in the Sequel

Superman, based on Jim Lee's art that Gunn shared on social media, will keep his look from the first film — the costume stays as close as possible to the classic comic book version.
Actor David Corenswet in a superhero blue and red costume and Nicholas Hoult in a black jacket
Posters for the film "Superman" (2025)
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But Luthor will apparently get a major upgrade: massive cyber-armor that makes him equal in strength to Clark. This means "Man of Tomorrow" will deliver battles not just of ideas and principles, but spectacular fights between equals.

From Boycott to Glory

The rebooted superhero franchise gets more popular by the day. Though not long ago, social media was ablaze with battles: some fans demanded the return of Zack Snyder (director of "Batman v Superman") and promised to boycott Gunn.

But the first "Superman" film proved them wrong — earning over $600 million and becoming the year's highest-grossing superhero movie. There's a feeling that even the director's opponents are now waiting for the sequel, and Gunn seems seriously intent on turning DC into a universe worth caring about again.

"Man of Tomorrow" won't just be a new chapter in Clark Kent's story, but also a chance to truly develop Lex Luthor for the first time. And if Gunn delivers on his promise to show an equal partnership between two eternal enemies, we might be looking at one of the most unusual superhero blockbusters of the decade. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we detailed Lex's super-armor that he might wear in the sequel.