Man of Tomorrow: James Gunn Comments on the Plot of the Superman Sequel

It's coming thick and fast: Just last week, James Gunn announced the release date for the "Superman" sequel. Now, we already have the first details about the plot of "Man of Tomorrow"!

In an interview with Variety magazine, Gunn revealed that the movie will not only be a pure "Superman" film but will also tell the story of his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. Quote:

"It's a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat. It's more complicated than that but that's a big part of it. It's as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie. I loved working with Nicholas Hoult. I relate to the character of Lex, sadly. I really wanted to create something extraordinary with the two of them. I just love the script so much."

Filming is scheduled to begin next year, specifically in April. Also planned for 2026 is a standalone "Supergirl" movie, with Millie Alcock set to take on the lead role – a casting choice that James Gunn himself describes as one of his best decisions. Also announced for 2026 are a movie about the Batman villain "Clayface" and the HBO Max series "Lanterns", which will focus on the stories of the Green Lanterns.

The Man of Steel's greatest opponents: Superman's most famous villains

Superman is considered the epitome of the superhero – powerful, moral and seemingly invincible. But precisely because his powers seem almost limitless, the authors of his comics have repeatedly been challenged to create opponents who not only challenge him physically, but also morally and psychologically. Over the course of the hero's 85-year history, numerous villains have emerged, from classic arch-enemies to cosmic threats. Here's a look at the most famous adversaries of the "Man of Steel".

Lex Luthor: the eternal nemesis

No Superman article would be complete without Lex Luthor. The genius businessman and scientist has been Superman's greatest adversary since the 1940s. What makes Luthor so dangerous is not his superhuman strength, but his superior intellect and boundless ruthlessness. For him, Superman is not an inspiration, but a threat: an alien who takes away people's independence. Luthor sees himself as the savior of mankind – albeit with methods ranging from manipulation to murder. In many stories, he uses his power as an entrepreneur, politician or scientist to put Metropolis and Superman under pressure.

General Zod: the mirror from Krypton

Another iconic adversary is General Zod, a military leader from the destroyed planet Krypton. Zod shares Superman's origins, which means that he too has almost identical powers under the Earth's sun. However, his motivation is completely different: Zod is driven by the desire for power and the re-establishment of Kryptonian rule – whatever the cost. He represents the dark side of Superman's legacy: what if a Kryptonian fought not for justice, but for oppression? In films such as "Superman 2" or "Man of Steel", Zod was impressively portrayed as a military tyrant who challenges Superman both physically and ideologically.

Doomsday: the elemental force

While many opponents fight Superman through intelligence or manipulation, Doomsday stands for pure destruction. The monstrous being is virtually invincible and, after each defeat, develops immunities to whatever has previously harmed him. Doomsday became famous above all through the story "The Death of Superman" (1992), in which he actually killed the hero in a brutal battle – or at least appeared to do so. He thus became a symbol of the fact that even the most powerful superhero is vulnerable.

Brainiac: the cold intellect

One of the most intriguing adversaries is Brainiac, an alien android or cybernetic organism (depending on interpretation) that miniaturizes and steals entire cities and cultures to gather knowledge. His connection to Krypton – he is often said to have miniaturized and abducted the city of Kandor – makes him a particularly painful reminder of Superman's past. Brainiac embodies the fear of technological superiority: a being who puts intelligence without morality at the service of control. In comics, animated series and video games, he has established himself as one of the most complex adversaries.

Bizarro: the tragic mirror image

Bizarro is a bizarre, failed copy of Superman, often the result of failed experiments or cloning attempts. He has similar powers, but they often work "upside down" – for example, heat vision as cold vision. What makes him special is his tragic side: Bizarro is often not an evil villain in the classic sense, but a misunderstood being who acts in his own twisted logic. His stories are often tragicomic, sometimes even touching, because at his core he wants to be like Superman but doesn't understand how.

Darkseid: the god of tyranny

Towering over all other adversaries is Darkseid, the ruler of the planet Apokolips and one of the most powerful figures in the entire DC universe. He embodies the ultimate evil: total subjugation of all living beings to his will. Darkseid seeks the "Anti-Life Equation", a formula that would give him absolute control over every consciousness. For Superman, Darkseid is a particular threat because he endangers not only Metropolis or Earth, but the entire universe. Fights between the two are among the most epic moments in comics and animated series.

Conclusion: A gallery of contrasts

Superman's villains are characterized by the fact that they are not just "strong opponents". Lex Luthor represents human hubris, Zod shows the dark side of Kryptonian power, Brainiac embodies the coldness of technical intelligence, Bizarro holds up a distorted mirror image to the hero, Doomsday proves the limits of even a god, and Darkseid represents the ultimate cosmic threat. Together they form a Rogues' Gallery that not only provides action, but also raises the central questions of the Superman mythos: What does it mean to maintain humanity when you're more than human? And how can even the mightiest hero survive when the greatest danger lies not just in physical strength, but in moral conflict?