James Gunn Already Writing Next Film as ‘Superman: Man of Tomorrow’ Assembly Cut Completes
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has confirmed he is actively writing his next directorial project while awaiting the assembly cut of Superman: Man of Tomorrow, the highly anticipated sequel to 2025’s Superman. The revelation came via a Threads exchange in which Gunn responded to a fan asking whether he was ready to write his next film, replying simply: “Already in it. I had to do something while I was waiting for the assembly!”
Assembly Cut Complete, July 2027 Release Confirmed
Gunn also confirmed that the assembly cut of Superman: Man of Tomorrow is now complete. Filming on the superhero tentpole wrapped in August, keeping the production on track for its July 9, 2027 theatrical release. The assembly cut represents the first full chronological assembly of footage, preceding the director’s cut and subsequent refined edits that will shape the final film.
Sequel Pits Superman Against Brainiac with Lex Luthor as Uneasy Ally
Superman: Man of Tomorrow continues the story established in the 2025 Superman film, with David Corenswet returning as Clark Kent/Superman. The sequel’s central conflict forces the Man of Steel into an uneasy alliance with his classic adversary Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, as they confront an even greater threat: the superintelligent Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger.
This narrative dynamic—Superman teaming with Luthor against a cosmic-level intellect—draws from classic comic storylines while advancing the new DC Universe’s interconnected storytelling approach under Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership.
Ensemble Cast Expands with Returning Heroes and New Lantern
The sequel reassembles a substantial ensemble from the first film. Rachel Brosnahan returns as Lois Lane, joined by Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.
Milly Alcock reprises her role as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl after headlining the DC tentpole Supergirl (referred to in the source as a summer release, likely Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow). Notably, Aaron Pierre will make his big-screen debut as John Stewart, the Green Lantern who is also set to lead the HBO Max series Lanterns, further weaving film and television continuity.
Gunn and Safran’s DC Studios Partnership Enters Third Year
Beyond his writing and directing duties on the Superman franchise, Gunn has co-led DC Studios alongside Peter Safran since late 2022. In a January interview with Variety, Gunn described their partnership as complementary: “Peter’s the best. He does everything I don’t do well. He keeps the ship steady, keeps everyone aligned, connects us with Jim Lee and the comics side and unifies departments that used to operate separately. What we share is a genuine love for these characters. We know what a privilege it is to help shape how people see them now — and that responsibility is something we take seriously.”
This collaborative model—pairing a filmmaker with a producer-executive—has defined the new era of DC’s film and television slate, which includes the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup spanning movies, HBO Max series, and animation.
Production Timeline and What Comes Next
| Milestone | Status / Date |
|---|---|
| Filming Wrapped | August (year per source context) |
| Assembly Cut Complete | Confirmed (current reporting) |
| Theatrical Release | July 9, 2027 |
| Gunn’s Next Film Writing | Actively in progress |
With the assembly cut delivered, the post-production phase advances to director’s cut refinement, visual effects integration, scoring, and test screenings. Gunn’s simultaneous writing of his next project suggests a continuous creative pipeline, though the specific title remains unannounced. Given his DC Studios role, speculation centers on potential DCU projects such as The Authority, Swamp Thing, or a non-DC original film.
Why This Matters for the DC Universe
The completion of the assembly cut signals that Superman: Man of Tomorrow remains on schedule for its 2027 debut, a critical anchor for DC’s theatrical slate. The film’s expansive cast—including legacy characters like Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, Mister Terrific, and the introduction of John Stewart—reinforces the shared-universe strategy Gunn and Safran outlined in their 2023 DC Studios reveal.
Moreover, Gunn’s immediate transition into writing his next film underscores a production rhythm designed to avoid the gaps and delays that have historically plagued superhero franchises. For audiences and industry observers, the steady cadence of milestones—filming wrap, assembly cut, confirmed release date—offers tangible evidence of a disciplined, long-term creative roadmap.
As post-production progresses through 2025 and 2026, further casting announcements, trailer reveals, and potential connections to concurrent DCU projects (such as Lanterns, Paradise Lost, or The Brave and the Bold) will shape the conversation around the franchise’s next chapter.
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