Director James Gunn has given fans an exciting look at the early development of the next DC Universe film, Man of Tomorrow. Through a post on the social platform Threads, Gunn revealed a substantial stack of storyboard cards, signaling significant progress on the highly anticipated Superman sequel. The image, labeled “Storyboards sequence #3,” shows a thick pile of illustrated cards that will help plan a major action sequence for the movie.
Gunn explained that not every card represents a single shot in the film. He noted that “some shots take up more than one card because of movement in the shot,” indicating complex and dynamic scenes are being carefully planned. This glimpse into the pre-production process follows his recent completion of the film’s fourth script draft. The sequel, which will see Clark Kent teaming up with his nemesis Lex Luthor against a larger threat, is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.
The Story Behind the Storyboards
Storyboarding is a crucial step in filmmaking, especially for large-scale superhero productions. Directors use these illustrated cards to map out shots, camera angles, and action sequences long before filming begins. For James Gunn, this is a familiar and detailed process. On the previous film, Superman, he personally drew hundreds of storyboard cards that filled multiple boxes during pre-production.
In a past interview about his filmmaking method, Gunn described his thorough approach, stating, “I do an incredibly in-depth treatment for every movie. I think of writing a screenplay as creating the body of a human being and you’ve got to start with the skeleton.” His process involves building a strong foundation for the story first, which for Man of Tomorrow has now advanced to its fourth draft. The stack of storyboards he shared represents one of the first visual translations of that script.
What We Know About ‘Man of Tomorrow’
Man of Tomorrow will serve as a direct sequel to 2025’s Superman and will continue narrative threads from the second season of the Peacemaker series. The film is a pivotal part of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters in the DC Universe. James Gunn has described the project as being as much a Lex Luthor story as it is a Superman adventure.
The core cast from Superman is expected to return, including David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. They will be joined by Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., whose connection to Lex Luthor might be the reason the villain is freed to help save the world.
The plot will force the iconic rivals into an uneasy alliance. Gunn has stated, “It’s a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat.” While not officially confirmed, this greater threat is widely believed by fans and analysts to be the classic Superman villain Brainiac. This team-up has plenty of precedent in DC Comics history, where the two have occasionally put aside their conflict to face a common danger.
A Connected DC Universe
Man of Tomorrow is not an isolated story. Gunn has confirmed that the film is “very, very connected to Peacemaker” while also being its own distinct narrative. This connection reinforces the interconnected nature of the DC Universe that Gunn is building. The success of Superman, which finished 2025 as the highest-grossing superhero movie, has created strong audience anticipation for this next chapter.
Gunn has also hinted that his plans for the DCU extend far beyond this single sequel. When asked about the future, he confirmed, “Yes, [my plans] definitely go significantly further than Man of Tomorrow.” The director’s commitment to making each of his films distinct in tone suggests that the team-up dynamic with Luthor will give Man of Tomorrow a different feel from the first Superman movie.
The film is currently in its active pre-production phase, with scripting and visual planning well underway. As the July 2027 release date approaches, fans can expect more updates and glimpses into the development of Superman and Lex Luthor’s forced partnership.
