While the world waits for Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl to rip through theaters like a blunt cannonball on June 26, James Gunn is hard at work moving pieces into position for Man of Tomorrow, the next film featuring David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. The superhero film project is currently in pre-production, with Gunn returning to direct, write, and serve as producer. Today, Gunn shared a Man of Tomorrow teaser photo featuring a black-and-red chessboard, a Vankull Department of Corrections identification badge, a bag of partially eaten Ruffles, and a Superman-themed tin. Are those Lunchables? Gruel? Kryptonite cookies? I have questions.
In Man of Tomorrow, a new threat arrives that requires Superman and Lex Luthor to work together to overcome it. Looking at today’s image, I imagine Superman and Lex trading ideas on how best to outthink and outmaneuver Brainiac (Lars Eidinger), the central villain of the upcoming DC Studios movie.
In other Man of Tomorrow developments, Adria Arjona recently joined the cast as Maxima, a character first introduced in Action Comics #645 in 1990. When she arrived on Earth in search of a suitable mate, she quickly set her sights on Superman. Created by writer Roger Stern and artist George Pérez, the character appears in various DC comics as an antagonist, an ally, and a would-be love interest of Superman. DC featured her character in Smallville and Supergirl, where she was played by Charlotte Sullivan and Eve Torres Gracie, respectively. The character was also in Superman: The Animated Series and other animated projects, but has never been depicted in a live-action DC film.
Production for Man of Tomorrow should begin this summer in Atlanta, with several cast members from the original film returning, including David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, and Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher.
Others expected to return are Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Maria Gabriella de Faria as The Engineer. Aaron Pierre, who plays John Stewart in the upcoming HBO series Lanterns, will reprise the role in Man of Tomorrow.
As excited as I am about Man of Tomorrow (I really enjoyed James Gunn’s Superman), I’m saving all my energy for Supergirl. After we see Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) kick ass and take names as the Maiden of Might, I’ll regroup and start getting excited for Gunn’s next Superman film. What about you? Are you excited about DC’s film lineup? Let us know in the comments section below.