James Gunn Says MAN OF TOMORROW Is "Lex's Story Too" And Teases Ramifications Of Peacemaker Cameo
Superman was just the beginning of James Gunn’s plans for the DC Universe, but it sounds like Man of Tomorrow is going to push things in an even bigger direction.
During a recent interview with Collider, the DC Studios co-CEO opened up about how he’s approaching the upcoming sequel, why Lex Luthor is just as important as Superman this time around, and how the villain’s Peacemaker cameo will carry over into the next chapter.
Before tackling the Man of Steel, Gunn already had a strong comic book resume with the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker. But Superman is a very different kind of hero, and Gunn has been clear that he wanted to explore him in a unique way. That included the challenge of filming flying sequences, which he admits taught him a lot.
"I did a lot of experimental stuff with shooting flying, and I think I learned a lot about what worked and what didn't work as well. And so one of the things I'm the most excited about are these few action sequences in Man of Tomorrow.
“And so putting those together has been really fun. I always learn a lot with every movie in terms of what works and what doesn't."
He went on to add:
“"I think the proof of concept worked in terms of who Superman was. And then, there are things that I think that can be improved. And not only improved, but just different. I like my movies to be different. Guardians 1 is not the same as Guardians 3. They're different."
That difference is going to be felt in a big way as Gunn teaased:
"And Man of Tomorrow will not be the same as Superman. And it is Lex's story too, so it's the two of them. That colors it in a totally different way.”
Superman may have shouldered the responsibility of reintroducing moviegoers to the DCU, but with that groundwork now laid, Gunn says he feels freer to take bold swings in Man of Tomorrow without the burden of trying to “save” the franchise.
Gunn was also asked whether Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor might pop up again in the final two episodes of Peacemaker Season 2. Gunn shut down the idea of a full appearance but made it clear that Lex’s presence will loom large.
"Oh no, no, we're not going to be seeing Nick necessarily, but his deal is important to the rest of the season, incredibly important, not only to the rest of the season, but to Man of Tomorrow as well."
As for how crucial Peacemaker is before seeing the film, Gunn reassured fans that the projects are connected without being dependent on one another.
"I don't want people to feel like, if they like Superman and don't like Peacemaker, I don't want them to have to watch Peacemaker or vice versa."
"So there's things that are connected, but when I'm running Man of Tomorrow, I make sure that people can come in just on Man of Tomorrow and understand everything, you know, especially not having to watch Peacemaker."
Man of Tomorrow is set to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.