Dan Harmon Once Pitched a Lex Luthor Movie to DC Titled MAN OF TOMORROW
The upcoming Man of Tomorrow is officially moving forward with James Gunn directing and David Corenswet suiting up once again as Superman and Nicholas Hoult returning to play Lex Luthor. But it turns out the title Man of Tomorrow almost belonged to a very different DC movie years ago, one that would have put the spotlight on Lex Luthor.
Comic book writer Eric M. Esquivel recently revealed on Threads that back in 2018 he and Dan Harmon (the mind behind Community and Rick and Morty) pitched a solo Lex Luthor film to Warner Bros. The kicker? Their version was also called Man of Tomorrow.
According to Esquivel, the story idea centered on Luthor having “face blindness,” something Harmon also deals with in real life. The concept would explain why Luthor never realizes Superman and Clark Kent are the same person.
Esquivel explained, “Our idea was a Lex Luthor solo movie called Man of Tomorrow, about Lex Luthor having face blindness, which Harmon also has, and about why Luthor doesn’t recognize that Superman is Clark Kent.”
Esquivel also pointed out the funny coincidence that HBO’s Peacemaker introduced “bird blindness” as a gag, though he made it clear he doesn’t believe Gunn borrowed from his concept.
“I don’t think Gunn stole anything from me,” Esquivel said. “This is just one of those ideas that probably everyone’s had at one point or another.”
While that version of Man of Tomorrow never came to life, Gunn’s film is very much happening. Alongside Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Man of Tomorrow will see Hoult back as Lex Luthor. Rumors also suggest appearances from Jason Momoa as Lobo and Milly Alcock as Supergirl.
The first film introduced a massive lineup of DC heroes and villains including Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, and more.
It’s fascinating to think what Harmon’s take on Lex Luthor might have looked like. Instead, fans will be getting Gunn’s continuation of this new Superman era when Man of Tomorrow finally hits theaters in 2027.
