Given the runaway success of the 2025 Superman movie, a sequel was inevitable. DC Studios CEO James Gunn confirmed this, further announcing that the full title would be Man of Tomorrow. This offers several suggestions as to the story of the follow-up film.
Thus far, the proposed subtitles for the DCU movies have lent insight as to their inspirations. For instance, the upcoming Supergirl movie was originally titled Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This is also the title of a popular miniseries, which found Kara Zor-El making a name for herself in deep space outside of her cousin’s influence. Her quick cameo at the end of Superman, coupled with her ownership of Krypto, both reference elements of this story. Given that, it would be reasonable to look for a story starring Kal-El titled “Man of Tomorrow” in searching for the story of Superman 2.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow plot might be an adaptation of the animated film of the same name
Released in 2020, Superman: Man of Tomorrow was the first animated movie made for Phase 2 of the DC Animated Movie Universe. This new timeline was later dubbed ‘the Tomorrowverse’ to further distinguish it from the DCAU and DC Animated Movie Universe.
Set in the days before Superman first revealed himself to the world, the animated Man of Tomorrow offers a drastically new origin for the Man of Steel. In this reality, he is ignorant of his Kryptonian heritage and the fate of his people as a young adult. He first learns of Krypton and his weakness to Kryptonite following a battle with the bounty hunter Lobo. More information on his home world is imparted by Martian Manhunter, who takes on a mentor role to Clark Kent.
The chief villains of the movie are Lex Luthor and the Parasite. However, the usual origins are changed up. In this timeline, tech magnate Lex Luthor is imprisoned after his crimes are exposed by Lois Lane before Superman made his first public appearance. STAR Labs janitor Rudy Jones, by contrast, is a friend of Clark Kent. He is also transformed into Parasite as a side-effect of one of Lobo’s alien weapons.
Obviously, the animated Man of Tomorrow movie cannot be directly adapted for the DCU. James Gunn’s Superman was established as being set three years after his first public appearance. However, Superman 2 could make use of the Parasite as the main villain and feature Lobo (who is to make his DCU debut in Supergirl) coming to Earth. The sequel could also adapt the plotline of an imprisoned Lex Luthor being released from prison to help fight Parasite. (Naturally, he tries to double-cross Superman at the first opportunity.)
“Man of Tomorrow” might stand in contrast to the “Man of Steel” of the DCEU
There are several comics that made prominent use of the subtitle ‘Man of Tomorrow.’ The most recent of these was a 2020 series that was published as part of DC‘s digital-first e-comics line. Before that, there was a quarterly comic series which ran from 1995 to 1999. There is also the classic “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” That story by Alan Moore and Curt Swan was intended to be the final story of the Silver Age Superman.
It is possible, however, that the ‘Man of Tomorrow’ title is meant to be symbolic rather than a reference to a particular storyline. The nickname was first applied to Superman in 1939’s New York World’s Fair Comics. This special was produced as a promotional item for the World of Tomorrow exhibit at that year’s World’s Fair. While the ‘Man of Steel’ moniker came first, Superman was called the Man of Tomorrow just as often. This was due to one of his earliest origins, suggesting he was an evolved future man, rather than an alien.
It’s possible the use of ‘Man of Tomorrow’ is meant to distance the DCU further from the DCEU and Man of Steel movie. It could also reflect Superman’s never-ending battle for “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow.” Certainly, the Man of Tomorrow title is more optimistic and fits the forward-thinking view of the DCU Clark Kent.
