James Gunn understands fan service.
The DC Studios Co-chairman and Co-CEO and director of the forthcoming Superman film Man of Tomorrow gave die hards new look at at old favorite: Lex Luthor‘s purple and green war suit, which enables him to fight on a more level playing field with the Man of Steel.
The suit, adapted from Kryptonian power armor, gives Luthor massive strength — though not as great as that of Superman. It also allows him to fight toe-to-toe with his archnemesis for short periods of time and weather Superman’s blows.
Luthor’s warsuit famously made an appearance on the cover of Action Comics No. 544, an issue that had two stories: “Luthor Unleashed!” which revolves around the Lexcorp genius seeking retribution with his new suit of armor and “Rebirth!” in which Superman battles a new version of his robotic foe, Braniac.
Interestingly, there is a parallel to the upcoming film. Deadline revealed exclusively in December that German actor Lars Eidinger will play Brainiac in James Gunn’s movie. It marks the first time the character will appear on the big screen. Braniac was created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino, and made his debut in Action Comics #242, just two issues before the above cover.
The Superman director and DC Studio Co-Boss told Howard Stern recently that the next movie is “a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat.” Hmmm…Could that be Brainiac?
“It’s as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie,” added Gunn.
In the comics, there are many versions of Luthor’s suit. The image shared by Gunn today reveals the familiar, Buzz Lightyear-adjacent color scheme, albeit with more green than purple. It also looks a little beefier than traditional versions of the suit.
Lex Luthor’s battlesuit in ‘Man of Tomorrow’
James Gunn Instagram
Man of Tomorrow was expected to begin production in April for a theatrical release on July 9, 2027. The previous Superman film was Gunn’s first big tentpole for the new DC Studios led by himself and Peter Safran; that pic grossed over $616M around the world.
In Man of Tomorrow, Nicholas Hoult again plays Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan reprises as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathon Fillion as Guy Gardner and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific. Adria Arjona is on board to play Maxima and Aaron Pierre is also in the pic.
Before that, DC Studios has Supergirl set to open in theaters on June 26. The film stars Milly Alcock in the titular role.
In sharing the image today, Gunn wrote, “Fit check. Live from the set of Man of Tomorrow.”
