Yes, production on Man of Tomorrow has officially begun. Principal photography kicked off on April 20, 2026, at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia, under the working title “Exodus.” James Gunn confirmed the shoot with a set photo showing a chessboard and an “A. Luthor” prison badge. The film is set to release on July 9, 2027, as the fourth installment of Gunn’s DC Universe.
Fans have been watching this one closely since Superman crossed $614 million globally, and the speed of this sequel getting to camera says everything about where DC’s confidence sits right now. Gunn had the script treatment locked before the first film even opened, which is a level of forward planning the DCU has rarely seen. Here is everything confirmed so far.
Where Is Man of Tomorrow Filming?
Primary filming is at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia, the same facility used for Superman. The production spreads across multiple locations: Terminal Station in Macon, Georgia doubles as the Daily Planet newsroom, Cincinnati, Ohio hosts five filming days between June 15 and August 21, and additional scenes will shoot in the United Kingdom. Ohio awarded the production nearly $2 million in tax credits, continuing the state’s relationship with Gunn’s DCU projects.
Who Is in the Cast of Man of Tomorrow?
David Corenswet returns as Clark Kent/Superman alongside Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The ensemble also includes Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Aaron Pierre (John Stewart/Green Lantern), Sara Sampaio (Eve Teschmacher), Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr.), Lars Eidinger (Brainiac), and Adria Arjona, confirmed April 14, 2026, as Maxima.
Who Is the Main Villain in Man of Tomorrow?
Lars Eidinger plays Brainiac, Superman’s hyper-intelligent Coluan adversary. The German actor was cast December 20, 2025, after a Zoom pitch from Gunn followed by an in-person Atlanta audition. Eidinger underwent a full 3D body scan and two-hour makeup/mask design session for the role. He films his scenes from May through the end of August 2026. The film’s official logo merges Superman’s shield with Brainiac’s iconic three-dot insignia.
What Is the Plot of Man of Tomorrow?
Gunn described it on Howard Stern as “a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together” against a threat far larger than either. He added it is “as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie,” which is a notable creative pivot. The Gunn set photo of a chessboard and an inmate badge for “A. Luthor” strongly suggests Lex begins the film in prison, consistent with where Superman left his arc.
Who Is Writing and Directing Man of Tomorrow?
James Gunn returns as sole writer and director, the same arrangement he had on Superman. Gunn began writing the script in June 2025, before Superman had even released. Sam McCurdy, cinematographer on Peacemaker Season 2 and Shogun, replaces Henry Braham behind the camera. Stéphane Ceretti returns as VFX supervisor, and Fred Raskin is confirmed as editor. Gunn also revealed in December 2025 that he had already selected licensed songs for the film.
What Is the Working Title and Why Does It Matter?
The film shoots under the working title “Exodus,” a deliberate biblical pairing with Superman’s production title “Genesis.” This naming pattern signals that Gunn is treating these films as a structured, intentional saga rather than standalone blockbusters. The Book of Exodus centers on liberation from captivity, which aligns neatly with the Lex Luthor prison setup hinted at in Gunn’s day-one set photo. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes detail that confirms Gunn is building with long-term intention.
How Does Man of Tomorrow Connect to the Rest of the DCU?
Peacemaker Season 2 was retroactively positioned as a direct prequel to this film. The episode “Ignorance Is Chris” features Hoult’s Luthor being offered “an opportunity for redemption” by Rick Flag Sr., and the season finale introduces Checkmate and the inter-dimensional prison Salvation, both described by Gunn as major elements in Man of Tomorrow. Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart crossover from the HBO series Lanterns (releasing August 2026) also feeds directly into this film’s ensemble.
Will Batman or Wonder Woman Appear in Man of Tomorrow?
No. Gunn has explicitly confirmed neither Batman nor Wonder Woman will appear in Man of Tomorrow. Early casting speculation around a “warrior-like” female character with specific height requirements led many to assume Wonder Woman was being quietly introduced, but Gunn shut that down publicly. That mystery role turned out to be Maxima, an alien queen from the comics who has served as both antagonist and complicated love interest for Superman across various DC storylines.
When Does Man of Tomorrow Release and What Comes Before It?
The release date is July 9, 2027. Before that, the DCU has two 2026 releases: Supergirl on June 26 and Clayface in October. David Corenswet is also expected to appear in Supergirl, which Gunn has described as part of “The Superman Saga.” Frank Grillo will film his Rick Flag Sr. scenes across ten weeks split between the UK and Georgia, suggesting the character carries significant weight in the story.
What This Production Start Signals for the DCU
The speed from Superman’s July 2025 release to Man of Tomorrow cameras rolling in April 2026 is nine months, which is remarkably fast for a film of this scale. Gunn had storyboards completed by November 2025 and the script in draft well before that. For a franchise that spent years in development chaos under the old regime, this pace is the clearest possible signal that the DCU now operates with a genuine creative roadmap. With Brainiac, a reluctant Luthor alliance, and the Peacemaker connective tissue already in place, Man of Tomorrow arrives in 2027 as the most structurally prepared DC sequel in over a decade.
