James Gunn has revealed that in Superman 2, titled Man of Tomorrow and set for release in 2027, Lex Luthor will stand alongside Superman as an unexpected hero, bringing a new twist to the DCU. This development, which centers the plot around a partnership between Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor and David Corenswet’s Superman, makes the anticipated sequel a landmark entry for fans of the James Gunn Superman 2 villain hero storyline.
Lex Luthor Steps into the Hero’s Role for Man of Tomorrow
For the first time in a DC Studios film, a well-known villain takes on a heroic role, with Lex Luthor portrayed as a key ally to the Man of Steel. Unlike previous depictions where Lex is the main adversary, the plot shifts dramatically as he and Superman join forces to confront a threat greater than either can handle alone. Nicholas Hoult steps into the role of the infamous mega-genius, challenging fan expectations and offering a fresh take on Lex’s legacy.
James Gunn discussed this unique narrative direction on The Howard Stern Show, highlighting that the movie is as much about Lex Luthor as it is about Superman. Gunn stated,
“It’s a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together.”
– James Gunn, DC Studios Head. This statement underscores the film’s emphasis on a complex alliance that diverges from the standard good-versus-evil formula traditionally associated with these characters.
The collaboration marks the first instance in live-action cinematic history where Superman and Lex Luthor unite on screen. Alongside David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan is confirmed to play Lois Lane, completing the core cast for this highly anticipated DC Studios production.
Exploring Other Villain-Led DCU Projects
James Gunn’s Superman 2 isn’t the only upcoming DCU project focused on a villain playing a central role. The character Clayface, for example, is set to headline another film within Gunn’s slate. Yet, unlike Lex in Man of Tomorrow, Clayface’s story will follow a villain protagonist who is not depicted as a hero. Matt Hagen’s journey is not an attempt to redeem the character, emphasizing the difference between various villain-centric approaches within the DC film universe.
Comic Book Films with Villains as Protagonists: A Chronological List
Man of Tomorrow joins a growing array of comic book movies where the story centers around a notorious villain. Below is a detailed list of DC and Marvel films where the antagonist takes the leading role, often blurring the lines between good and evil:
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Catwoman (2004)
Starring Halle Berry, Catwoman introduced audiences to Patience Philips, who transforms into the iconic feline antihero. While derided critically—holding an 8% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—the film depicts Catwoman toppling a corrupt cosmetics empire from within, offering a rare glimpse of a traditionally villainous character taking on the lead as a crime-fighting force.
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Suicide Squad (2016)
Directed by David Ayer, Suicide Squad brought together a team of infamous DC villains, including Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Will Smith’s Deadshot. These characters, orchestrated into a government task force by Amanda Waller, must undertake hazardous missions, serving as reluctant heroes under official duress. The ensemble cast of rogues, outcasts, and antiheroes was a defining feature of this DCU installment.
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Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The Russo Brothers redefined superhero team-ups by placing the cosmic villain Thanos at the center of Avengers: Infinity War. Many viewers interpret Thanos as the main character, as the narrative follows his quest to gather Infinity Stones and unleash catastrophic consequences on the universe, culminating in his infamous snap.
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Venom (2018)
Launching Sony’s exploration of Spider-Man villains, Venom features Tom Hardy as journalist Eddie Brock, who becomes host to the alien symbiote Venom. The film spotlights Brock’s transformation from an ordinary man into Venom, blending elements of menace and reluctant heroism as he takes on bigger threats while navigating his darker instincts.
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Joker (2019)
Todd Phillips’ Joker traces the grim evolution of Gotham City’s Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, from isolated resident to the Clown Prince of Crime. The film, celebrated for its gritty realism, received critical acclaim, earning Phoenix an Oscar for Best Actor for portraying Batman’s greatest adversary.
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Birds of Prey (2020)
In Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, Margot Robbie reprised her role as Harley Quinn. After breaking away from the Joker, Harley allies with other female supervillains to face off against Ewan McGregor’s Black Mask. The film highlights Harley’s chaotic, unpredictable approach to heroism and survival.
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The Suicide Squad (2021)
James Gunn continued the focus on villain-led storytelling with The Suicide Squad, again foregrounding Task Force X. The squad, featuring returning characters such as Harley Quinn, embarks on a hazardous mission involving the alien Starro the Conqueror on the fictional island of Corto Maltese, blending violence, dark humor, and reluctant heroism.
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Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
The Venom saga expanded with Venom: Let There Be Carnage, pairing Tom Hardy’s antihero against Woody Harrelson’s Carnage. The film deepened the exploration of Brock and Venom’s uneasy coexistence, emphasizing battles between symbiotic forces both internal and external.
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Morbius (2022)
Jared Leto stars as Michael Morbius, a scientist who, in seeking a cure for his rare blood condition, transforms into a vampire. Initially a Spider-Man antagonist in the comics, Morbius assumes the ambiguous role of a tormented antihero battling his predatory urges and external threats in Sony’s expanded universe.
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Black Adam (2022)
Dwayne Johnson, known as The Rock, delivered his vision for Black Adam, an all-powerful antihero with godlike abilities comparable to Shazam. Black Adam, or Metahuman Teth Adam, grapples with his powers while clashing with the Justice Society, underscoring his opposition to traditional heroism. Johnson declared he would
“change the hierarchy of the DC Universe”
– Dwayne Johnson, Actor.
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Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
The Joker’s saga continued with Joker: Folie à Deux, reuniting Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck with Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, set within the grim confines of Arkham State Hospital. While the film remained a dark, villain-centered narrative, its critical reception did not match that of its predecessor, evidenced by its lower score on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
Directed by Kelly Marcel, Venom: The Last Dance completed Sony’s Venom trilogy. Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock and Venom, now fugitives, confront dangers from both Earthly and cosmic threats. The ending hints at Knull as a potential future adversary, though it is uncertain whether this storyline will be pursued in future films.
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Kraven (2024)
Sony’s Kraven highlights Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the notorious Spider-Man villain. The story sees Kraven the Hunter take on adversaries like Chameleon and Rhino, wrapping up Sony’s current run of villain-led Spider-Man Universe movies for the time being.
Beyond DC and Marvel: Other Superhero Films with Villain Protagonists
Villain-focused superhero movies extend beyond the boundaries of the DC and Marvel universes. Here are notable examples that reframe the antagonist as the center of their story:
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Brightburn (2019)
Produced by James Gunn, Brightburn reimagines the Superman origin with a sinister twist. The film follows Brandon Breyer, a young alien crash-landing in Kansas, whose emerging superpowers lead to terror and destruction instead of hope. Driven by horror elements, this chilling take asks what would happen if a Superman-like figure turned evil rather than heroic.
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Chronicle (2012)
Chronicle, utilizing a found-footage style, centers on Seattle teen Andrew Detmer (played by Dane DeHaan), who develops telekinetic talents alongside friends. As Andrew’s power grows, so does his antagonism, ultimately making him the principal threat that his fellow super-powered friends must stop.
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Split (2016)
From director M. Night Shyamalan, Split stars James McAvoy as a man with dissociative identity disorder who embarks on a path toward supervillainy. The film links to Shyamalan’s Unbreakable universe and culminates with a confrontation between McAvoy’s escalating villain and Samuel L. Jackson’s Mr. Glass.
Man of Tomorrow’s Release and What’s Ahead
Superman 2: Man of Tomorrow, under James Gunn’s direction, is scheduled for a theatrical debut on July 9, 2027. With a confirmed cast featuring David Corenswet as Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, anticipation builds around how this alliance between Superman and Lex Luthor will unfold.
This collaboration marks a departure from conventional superhero storytelling in the DCU, inviting audiences to consider the nuanced relationship between heroism and villainy. As more projects explore villains as protagonists—reflecting trends seen in films like Joker, Venom, and Black Adam—James Gunn Superman 2 villain hero dynamic could pave the way for further reimagining of iconic characters across the genre and usher in a new era of complex, layered comic book adaptations.
