Following the certified hit that was James Gunn’s Superman, there’s one major spin-off that should absolutely be greenlit for the DCU as soon as possible. As fans of this new DC Universe are looking forward to what’s next, the first DCU movie perfectly set-up for what could be a truly unique series.
Without a doubt, James Gunn’s Superman debuted a fully realized Metropolis. The result is that one key spin-off feels more essential than any others. The DCU’s next great story spinning out of Superman could be far more grounded (with an already established cast).
James Gunn’s Superman Features An Impressive Cast Of DCU Characters
The Justice Gang in Superman preparing to fight
Without question, Superman has helped redefine what a modern superhero movie can be. Balancing color and true optimism with a dynamic plot and captivating stakes, Gunn’s take on the Man of Steel gives fans a world filled with hope and heart.
That said, a lot of that heart comes from the movie’s incredible cast of characters beyond Superman himself. While David Corenswet’s Clark Kent is iconic as he grapples with reconciling his alien heritage and human upbringing, the movie’s ensemble cast equally shines in the DCU’s first live-action movie.
Krypto the Superdog is somehow even more adorable and loyal than we thought he would be before the film’s release. The Justice Gang is an epic trio of heroes working for Maxwell Lord, with Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific being a standout favorite. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is the perfect evil super genius, while his various employees are impressively fleshed out as well.
Last but not least, Clark Kent’s fellow journalists and photographers at the Daily Planet help make Superman the heartfelt movie it is, providing more spotlight on Superman’s various co-workers in live action than ever before.
Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is an absolute scene-stealer who is just as uncompromising in her reporting as her original comics counterpart. Wendell Pierce’s Perry White is the peak Editor-in-Chief, while Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen is the perfect friend to both Clark and Lois, becoming a major fan favorite thanks to his surprise arc with Lex Luthor’s girlfriend Eve Tessmacher.
They’re also joined by Mikaela Hoover’s Cat Grant, Beck Bennet’s Steve Lombard, and Christopher McDonald’s Ron Troupe, all of whom help Superman save Metropolis from Luthor in the movie’s third act.
A Superman Sequel Is In The Works (And Two Rumored Spin-Offs)
Edi Gathegi’s Michael Holt aka Mister Terrific throws his T-Spheres in James Gunn’s Superman
With Superman now streaming and dominating the conversation of superhero cinema, it’s no surprise that DC Studios is already building on its major success. Case in point, a direct Superman sequel titled Man of Tomorrow is already in the works from James Gunn, with filming expected to begin in 2026.
Gunn has already teased that the sequel will feature the surprise team-up between Superman and Lex Luthor as they fight a much bigger threat (which fans are already theorizing to be the classic DC supervillian Brainiac). At the same time, it’s also been reported that multiple Superman spin-off series are rumored to be in the works.
The first is a Mister Terrific project which would potentially be a limited series following Edi Gathegi’s Michael Holt after his standout role in Superman.
Holt’s mix of intellect and a straight-up aura of cool struck a major chord with audiences. Having one of the very best action scenes in the entire movie, a DCU series staring the Justice Gang hero feels like a no-brainer. Likewise, the second rumored project centers on Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen, another breakout Superman character.
Perhaps being inspired by the classic Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen comics, it would be pretty fun to see Gisondo lead his own DCU show on HBO Max, especially when certain reports have suggested a series might also include the classic DC villain Gorilla Grodd (who did make a small appearance in the DCU’s Creature Commandos animated series).
Without a doubt, both potential spin-offs would be worthy expansions of the new DCU. However, there’s one other idea for a spin-off that should absolutely get made as soon as possible: a full Daily Planet streaming series.
What The DCU Really Needs Is A Daily Planet Series
In a universe filled with Gods and Monsters (the name of the DCU’s first chapter), the Daily Planet has the ability to sit at its center, reporting the news and offering viewers the grounded human perspective of the everyday public who live in this chaotic world of superpowers and superthreats.
After Superman featured such a perfect cast of correspondents and women, The Daily Planet feels like the perfect candidate to get its own spin-off series.
Imagine a grounded, ensemble-driven drama exploring what it means to chase truth in a city constantly facing various superhuman events and crises. Jimmy could even remain as the core lead of the series, capturing various events through his camera lens alongside Lombard, Grant, and more.
The Staff Of The Daily Planet All Looking Up Toward The Camera In Superman
David Corenswet’s Clark Kent and/or Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane wouldn’t even need to appear in every episode, as their presence could be felt simply through headlines, reports, or brief cameos. Perhaps they could even be on an extended assignment together.
This would allow Superman’s supporting cast at the Daily Planet to grow into DCU stars in their own right, while also serving as the perfect connective tissue that could help set up other projects across the wider DCU via its headlines. A potential Daily Planet series could be quite an elegant means of keeping this new universe connected.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow is set to release in theaters on July 9th, 2027
Release Date
July 11, 2025
Runtime
130 minutes