Matthew Lillard Says His ‘Man of Tomorrow’ Character Won’t Be Found in DC Comics

James Gunn’s next chapter for the DC Universe is quickly taking shape. ‘Man of Tomorrow’, the follow-up to his 2025 hit ‘Superman’, is set to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027, with Gunn writing and directing and Peter Safran producing.

The film will bring back David Corenswet as the Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Gunn has confirmed to Howard Stern that the story will see Superman and Luthor forced to work together against a common foe, and he has also said the larger Superman Saga will continue beyond this film.

Among the sequel’s most intriguing additions is Matthew Lillard. The actor, recently seen in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’, has been cast in a mystery role, sparking plenty of speculation among DC fans about who he might be playing.

Now Lillard has offered a tantalizing clue. While promoting Prime Video’s ‘Carrie’, the actor was asked by The Direct whether his character is someone comics readers will recognize or an original creation built for the sequel.

“It’s a very James Gunn moment. So, I wouldn’t worry too much about finding him in the comics,” Lillard told The Direct. The answer strongly suggests Lillard is playing a character created specifically for the film. That would fit Gunn’s established approach of inventing new figures to serve his stories alongside well-known heroes and villains.

Here you go: the #Superman trailer. Krypto, take us home. Watch the teaser trailer now and ❤ this post to get updates from @superman before it hits theaters this July. https://t.co/w77kiKef54

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 19, 2024

Still, the tease may not settle every theory. The Direct noted that the role could also be a reimagined version of an existing comic character, such as STAR Labs scientist Emil Hamilton, meaning fans might still find a loose connection to DC lore.

Lillard’s casting carries a personal history. He and Gunn have been friends for decades, dating back to the first live-action ‘Scooby-Doo’ film, which Gunn wrote. The new project marks roughly a quarter century since the pair first worked together. Their long-standing collaboration helps explain why Lillard sounds so confident describing his role as a signature Gunn creation.

Gunn has shared few plot details, but he has teased the film’s direction on social media. In September, he posted an image of the completed second draft of the script, which led some fans to speculate that Brainiac could be the film’s primary villain.

He has also emphasized that the Superman Saga contains many characters introduced in other DCU stories. That could mean appearances from familiar faces across the franchise, alongside newcomers like Lillard’s mystery figure.

The reveal has divided fans in an interesting way. Some are thrilled at the idea of Gunn surprising audiences with an original character, while others had hoped Lillard would portray a recognizable DC figure, even a deep cut.

Either way, his comments have only added to the anticipation for the sequel. With less than a year until the film’s release, fans will be watching closely for any additional hints about who Lillard is really playing.

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