First Man of Tomorrow Image Confirms Important Peacemaker Connection

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Honestly, it was brutal seeing Superman fall. Lex Luthor really did a number on him, locking him up in Belle Reve for 265 years after that awful beating from Krypto. It totally broke him, both physically and mentally. But that defeat actually led to something huge in the new DC Universe! When Peacemaker Season 2 came out, it showed how Superman ended up in a deal with Rick Flag Sr. – and we’re already seeing the consequences of that bargain play out on the set of the new Superman movie. It’s going to be a while, but we’ll finally see how it all plays out when the movie hits theaters on July 9, 2027!

James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, recently posted the first official photo from the upcoming film, Man of Tomorrow, on Instagram. The image reveals that Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor will be in prison at the start of the movie. A prop pass on a table shows he’s listed as inmate Alexander Luthor at the VanKull Department of Corrections. Nearby are a chessboard, a bag of Ruffles chips, and a clapperboard with a logo combining Superman’s symbol and Brainiac’s design.

A mention of Van Kull establishes a link between Season 2 of Peacemaker and the story of Man of Tomorrow. In the episode “Ignorance Is Chris,” Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. travels to Belle Reve to ask Lex Luthor for help. After Peacemaker escaped into another dimension using a special chamber, ARGUS lost his trail. They needed Luthor’s knowledge of technology that works across dimensions to locate him.

Luthor wouldn’t offer his help unless he got something in return—specifically, his freedom. Flag denied that request, but instead proposed a chance for Luthor to earn his way out and a transfer to a different prison. Luthor scoffed at the idea of being sent to Belle Reve, a facility full of people with superpowers. Flag explained the new location, Van Kull, would be a prison exclusively for non-powered individuals. Luthor ultimately agreed to the deal, promising to give ARGUS the scanners they needed to locate the portal.

A recent set photo from Gunn’s production reveals Lex Luthor was already at Van Kull prison when the story of Man of Tomorrow begins, confirming the prisoner transfer seen in Peacemaker happened before the film’s start. Interestingly, Van Kull Maximum Security Prison originates from DC Comics, first appearing in the 2002 comic Power Company: Bork #1, and is located in Metropolis.

Another subtle clue is the logo on the clapperboard – it cleverly blends the symbol of the House of El with the three-dot design linked to Brainiac.

Lars Eidinger will portray Brainiac in the movie, and his appearance confirms director James Gunn’s previous statements about the plot: Superman and Lex Luthor will have to team up, despite their differences, because Brainiac poses a threat that’s too great for either of them to face on their own.

Lex Luthor in Van Kull Is the Smartest Way Into Man of Tomorrow

Starting the Man of Tomorrow story with the Van Kull incident was a smart move by Gunn, seamlessly connecting his initial Superman films and his strongest TV series to date. While Lex Luthor is currently imprisoned, a powerful new enemy needs his expertise, giving Luthor a surprising amount of control.

The story puts Superman and Luthor in a situation where they have to work together, even though they’re enemies. Luthor made a deal with Flag that allowed him to start rebuilding his power, and Brainiac’s appearance gives him a chance to fully break free. It’s likely Superman will seek Luthor’s help in stopping Brainiac, just as Flag did before.

A recent comic book, Superman: Son of Kal-El Annual #1, featured a surprising scene: Superman visiting Lex Luthor in prison and playing chess with him. The director of the new Superman film, James Gunn, might be recreating this moment, as a chessboard was spotted on set. Given that the film aims to show an uneasy partnership between Superman and Lex, this chess game could be a hint at how their alliance will begin.

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2026-04-21 19:32