Man of Tomorrow: Title and Release Date for the Superman Sequel Announced
Lex Luthor might face Superman directly
Over 600 million dollars in box office earnings: James Gunn's "Superman" was a decent start for the new DCU. On X, the director has now announced the title and release date for the sequel: "Man of Tomorrow" will hit theaters on July 9, 2027.
Along with his announcement, Gunn posted an artwork showing Superman standing side by side with Lex Luthor. Luthor's iconic battle suit suggests that this time, he intends to personally face Superman. Discovery CEO David Zaslav already confirmed in August that James Gunn will once again be writing and directing the film. Recently, Gunn stated that it will not be a classic sequel, but rather a new story that brings together numerous characters from the Superman universe.
"Superman: Man of Tomorrow" is part of the large-scale reboot of the DC film universe. The next movies will be released in 2026: "Supergirl" starring Milly Alcock, and the Batman spin-off "Clayface". With its release date set for July 2027, the Man of Steel will return to the big screen before Matt Reeves' "The Batman 2", which is currently scheduled for release in October.
James Gunn: From cult director to Hollywood mastermind
James Gunn is one of the most influential names in Hollywood today. As the creative mind behind successful superhero films and series, he has managed to redefine comic book adaptations with humor, heart and idiosyncratic style. Gunn, who began his career as a screenwriter, is known for his black humor, his love of underdogs and his distinctive use of soundtracks. Today, he is not only a director and screenwriter, but also co-CEO of DC Studios. A look at his best-known works shows how Gunn has evolved from indie horror films to big blockbusters and streaming hits.
Slither (2006): The breakthrough in the horror genre
Gunn made his directorial debut in 2006 with the horror film "Slither". The film pays homage to classic splatter and sci-fi horror films of the 80s and tells the story of a small town that is infested by alien parasites. "Slither" won over critics with its mix of black humor, practical special effects and cult disgust factor. Although the film performed rather modestly at the box office, it quickly became a cult classic and put Gunn on the map as a talented director.
Super (2010): Dark superhero satire
Four years later, Gunn released "Super", a dark satire about the superhero genre. The film follows an ordinary man (Rainn Wilson) who, after a personal stroke of fate, turns into a brutal avenger as the self-proclaimed hero "Crimson Bolt". With stars such as Elliot Page and Kevin Bacon, Gunn presented a deep black comedy that emphasized violence and psychology. "Super" cemented Gunn's reputation as a director who not only loves the superhero genre, but also critically scrutinizes it.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Marvel's surprise hit
In 2014, Gunn celebrated his big breakthrough in Hollywood with "Guardians of the Galaxy". Marvel deliberately opted for the unusual filmmaker to bring a relatively unknown comic team to the big screen – with spectacular success. Gunn created a mixture of sci-fi action, humorous dialog and emotional depth that grossed over 770 million US dollars worldwide.
The characters Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel) became audience favorites overnight. Gunn's flair for quirky characters and unconventional stories brought a breath of fresh air to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Gunn continued his successful series with "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" in 2017. The film deepened the characters' backstories and introduced new characters such as Ego, the living planet (Kurt Russell). Here, too, Gunn scored with a harmonious soundtrack and emotional storylines, particularly around Yondu (Michael Rooker). The second part grossed over 860 million US dollars worldwide and cemented Gunn's reputation as one of the most sought-after blockbuster directors.

The Suicide Squad (2021): Creative reboot at DC
After a brief separation from Disney, Gunn moved to DC and took over the direction of "The Suicide Squad" (2021). The film was not a direct sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad, but rather a creative reboot with new characters and a significantly different tone. Gunn staged an anarchic mix of black humor, brutal action and antihero charm.
With stars such as Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena, Gunn succeeded in making a fresh, unconventional DC film that was acclaimed by critics. Although revenues remained moderate due to the pandemic, "The Suicide Squad" quickly became a fan favorite and opened the door to further DC projects for Gunn.

Peacemaker (2022): DC hit on HBO Max
A direct spin-off of The Suicide Squad was Gunn's first series: "Peacemaker" starring John Cena. The HBO Max series was released in 2022 and tells the story of the antihero Peacemaker, who wavers between morality and violence. With biting humor, unexpected depth and charismatic supporting characters, Gunn surprised once again. The series was enthusiastically received by critics and viewers alike and was given a second season. "Peacemaker" showed Gunn's talent for developing complex characters in a series format.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023): Emotional finale
In 2023, Gunn returned to Marvel to shoot "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" – the conclusion of the popular trilogy. The film was an emotional finale that focused particularly on Rocket Raccoon's backstory and bore Gunn's signature in every scene. Vol. 3 grossed over 845 million US dollars worldwide and is considered one of the best films in the MCU in recent years.

A unique style and an impressive career
James Gunn has developed from a screenwriter of smaller productions into one of Hollywood's most influential filmmakers. His trademark: a mixture of humor, heart, spectacular images and soundtracks that often become cult hits. Whether Marvel or DC – Gunn has proven that he can master both blockbusters and character studies.
With projects such as "Peacemaker" and "Superman", he shows that he continues to take risks and consistently realize his vision. Gunn's career is a prime example of how creative passion and an unconventional style can reshape the superhero genre.
