James Gunn Shares First Look from ‘Man of Tomorrow’ as Filming Begins

James Gunn has given fans the first behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Man of Tomorrow, confirming that filming has now started. The update came through Gunn’s social media post, where he shared a single image filled with small but important details.

The image showed a chessboard, a prison ID tied to Lex Luthor, and a box marked with the Brainiac symbol. Gunn did not explain the scene, but the setup suggests a meeting between Superman and Lex Luthor while Luthor is in prison. The chessboard also points to a planned conversation where both characters try to outthink each other, something that has been used in the comics before.

The film is written and directed by Gunn and continues the story from the recent Superman. It once again stars David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. In this sequel, the two enemies are forced to work together against a much larger threat.

From the set of #ManofTomorrow. Shooting now. pic.twitter.com/9WvpBPTmMm

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 20, 2026

That threat is Brainiac, a highly intelligent alien machine who will be played by Lars Eidinger. The story is expected to focus on how Superman and Luthor deal with a shared enemy despite their long history of conflict.

Several actors from the first film are returning. This includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen. Other returning characters from the Justice Gang are also expected to appear again. There are still some casting details that have not been fully confirmed, including Adria Arjona’s role, which is widely believed to be Maxima.

The movie is part of the new DC Studios plan led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. It is set within the “Gods and Monsters” chapter of the DC universe. Production began in April 2026 and will continue across several filming locations in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The release date is set for July 9, 2027, with Warner Bros. handling distribution.

The chess detail is a strong hint that this story will focus more on strategy and mind games between Superman and Lex Luthor, not just action. The idea of them working together against Brainiac also feels risky but interesting, since their rivalry is one of the biggest parts of the DC world. If handled well, this could turn into a very tense and smart superhero story. What do you think about Superman teaming up with Lex Luthor? Share your thoughts in the comments.