James Gunn Already Writing His Next Film While Awaiting ‘Superman: Man of Tomorrow’ Assembly Cut

Filmmaker and DC Studios co-head James Gunn is showing no signs of slowing down. Fresh off completing the assembly cut of his upcoming superhero sequel “Superman: Man of Tomorrow,” Gunn has revealed that he is already hard at work writing his next cinematic project.

The update came directly from the filmmaker on Threads, where Gunn engages regularly with fans and industry followers. When a curious user reached out to ask whether the writer-director was ready to tackle his next script or if he was taking a well-deserved break, Gunn offered a candid and characteristically enthusiastic response. "Already in it," Gunn wrote on the platform, adding a bit of behind-the-scenes context to his workflow: "I had to do something while I was waiting for the assembly!"

That assembly cut milestone marks a major step forward for "Superman: Man of Tomorrow," which is slated to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027. The project serves as the highly anticipated sequel to Gunn’s 2025 film “Superman,” continuing the ambitious slate of the revamped DC Universe. Principal photography for the superhero flick officially wrapped in August, transitioning the production into the crucial post-production phase where editors and directors piece together the initial rough cut of the film.

"Superman: Man of Tomorrow" brings back David Corenswet to reprise his role as the Man of Steel, anchoring a sprawling narrative that shifts the dynamics established in the first film. In the upcoming sequel, Clark Kent finds himself in an unexpected and uneasy alliance. Superman is forced to team up with his longtime adversary, Lex Luthor, portrayed once again by Nicholas Hoult. The pair must set aside their profound differences to work together against an even greater, civilization-level threat: the terrifyingly superintelligent antagonist Brainiac, brought to life by Lars Eidinger.

The sequel also boasts a robust ensemble of returning fan favorites and fresh faces from across the DC cinematic landscape. Rachel Brosnahan returns as the intrepid Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane, while Skyler Gisondo reprises his role as Jimmy Olsen and Sara Sampaio returns as Eve Teschmacher. The broader DC Universe roster expands further with Isabela Merced returning as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion reprising his role as Guy Gardner, and Edi Gathegi stepping back into the shoes of Mister Terrific.

Additionally, Milly Alcock will appear in "Man of Tomorrow" as Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, following her cameo in the earlier film and her star turn headlining the DC tentpole "Supergirl" earlier in the summer. The film will also mark a significant milestone by introducing Aaron Pierre to the big screen as John Stewart. Pierre’s big-screen debut as the iconic character follows his introduction in the upcoming HBO Max series "Lanterns."

While Gunn maintains a prolific output as a writer and director—shepherding his own theatrical projects through every stage from initial script outlines to final theatrical release—his responsibilities extend far beyond the director’s chair. Alongside producer Peter Safran, Gunn took the reins as co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios in late 2022, tasking the duo with mapping out a cohesive, interconnected storytelling universe across film, television, and animation.

Reflecting on their partnership and the sprawling nature of running a major Hollywood studio, Gunn shared insights into how he and Safran divide the monumental workload. "Peter’s the best," Gunn told Variety in January, discussing the collaborative dynamic that guides the studio’s overarching strategy. "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."

That structural overhaul has been a cornerstone of the new DC Studios regime, aiming to bridge the gap between comic book creators and cinematic storytellers while streamlining production pipelines. For Gunn, the administrative and creative burdens are balanced by a deep, foundational reverence for the source material and the cultural footprint of these legendary heroes.

"What we share is a genuine love for these characters," Gunn added during the interview. "We know what a privilege it is to help shape how people see them now — and that responsibility is something we take seriously."

With the assembly cut of "Superman: Man of Tomorrow" now complete, fans have a clear timeline leading up to the film’s 2027 release date. Meanwhile, as Gunn dives deeper into writing his next mysterious cinematic endeavor while waiting for editorial notes and visual effects progress, the foundational architecture of the modern DC Universe continues to take shape under his watchful eye.