MAN OF TOMORROW Prison Shoot Sparks Tension Among Real Inmates in Atlanta
Production on Man of Tomorrow is officially underway, and while DC fans are eager to see how this next chapter unfolds, things on the ground in Atlanta aren’t exactly running smoothly.
The film has taken over parts of FCI Atlanta, which is doubling as the fictional VanKull Department of Corrections, and that setup is reportedly causing some real-world frustration for the people actually incarcerated there.
The movie picks up with Lex Luthor locked up following the events of Superman and Peacemaker Season 2. According to the established DCU timeline, Lex made a deal with Rick Flag Sr. to get transferred out of Belle Reve, landing him in this new facility.
It’s a key setting for the story, especially as fans anticipate his eventual team-up with Superman against Brainiac. But while that setup sounds exciting on screen, it’s a different story for inmates living through the production.
A report from TMZ claims the shoot is disrupting daily life inside the prison. As stated: "Messing up their routines -- and more importantly, access inside the joint. Basically, while the flick is in production, we're told prisoners have to remain in their cells way more than under normal circumstances -- and even worse...no access to commissary."
That’s a pretty big shift in day-to-day operations, even if it’s temporary. Of course, there are security concerns to consider whenever a production like this moves into a functioning federal facility.
Sources say filming is limited to a small section of the prison, and the schedule there is expected to wrap soon, which should ease tensions.
When contacted, the Federal Bureau of Prisons didn’t offer much detail. A spokesperson said, "They'd never comment on internal security practices or procedures in general."
However, additional context was provided: "If a warden did put a facility on modified operations status, it would be for the safety of staff and inmates. Usually, such an order would happen after a violent incident that needed to be investigated."
The same source also noted that inmates still receive "daily access to at least three meals per day, potable water, and medical and psychological services."
It’s definitely an unusual situation. While it’s hard to imagine widespread sympathy for prisoners upset about a blockbuster filming in their prison, it does highlight the logistical challenges of shooting in real-world locations like this.
As for the movie itself, Man of Tomorrow is going to be a major entry in the DCU. Directed by James Gunn, the story will see Superman forced into an uneasy alliance with Lex Luthor to stop Brainiac, whose threat extends far beyond Metropolis.
The cast includes David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Lars Eidinger as Brainiac, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. They’re joined by Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Frank Grillo, Aaron Pierre, Nathan Fillion, and Edi Gathegi.
New additions Adria Arjona and Andre Royo have also joined the lineup, with Arjona playing Maxima.
With filming already moving through key locations like FCI Atlanta, it won’t be long before production shifts elsewhere. That means we likely won’t be spending too much time inside VanKull Prison, at least not during filming.
Man of Tomorrow is set to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.