James Gunn’s Superman doesn’t just reboot the Man of Steel for the DCU, it also lays the foundation for DC’s next era of interconnected storytelling. Instead of slowly building toward crossovers with origin stories for each hero, Gunn’s approach throws audiences into a fully formed world. Heroes, villains, and entire factions already operate, setting up several movies and series.
Superman may be the heart of the DCU, but he’s not its only key player. Characters like Guy Gardner, Angela Spica, and even Krypto the Superdog prove that the DCU is aiming for both breadth and depth. This strategy allows the story to push forward without rehashing familiar beats. Superman was DCU’s true launchpad, teasing multiple movies and shows.
Man Of Tomorrow
A Superman sequel тιтled Man of Tomorrow has been confirmed, and Superman has planted several seeds for its direction. The central adversarial relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor was introduced already fully formed in Superman. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex is a genius manipulator who sees himself as the only man capable of protecting humanity from “alien interference.”
This ready-made tension allowed Superman to jump straight into a complex plot. Subsequently, the confirmed plot for Man of Tomorrow sees the pair reluctantly team up to face an even greater threat. Gunn cleverly set this up by giving Lex a fascination with advanced weaponry, including his connection to the Hammer of Boravia and nanite technology.
This feels like a clear prototype for his eventual Warsuit – an element confirmed for Man of Tomorrow. By laying this groundwork, Superman ensures that its sequel can likewise dive straight into a high-stakes narrative rather than wasting time on setup. Indeed, the stage is already set for Superman and Lex’s uneasy alliance to define the next installment.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Superman ends with a surprise cameo: Supergirl, clad in her classic suit, stumbling drunkenly into the Fortress of Solitude to reclaim Krypto. This instantly positions her as an already-active figure on Earth rather than someone waiting in the wings. Gunn’s choice not only teases her solo film Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, but also distinguishes her from Superman.
Supergirl’s introduction immediately positions her as messier and more unpredictable. Rather than centering on an origin story, her movie can explore her earlier struggles, her crash-landing on Earth, or even flashbacks to surviving Krypton’s destruction. By showing she already has a rapport with Superman’s world, the DCU avoids the trope of rehashing her discovery of powers.
Instead, the focus can shift toward her personal journey of idenтιтy and morality. With Krypto acting as the connective tissue, Supergirl’s arrival feels both organic and exciting. Superman set the stage for her unique story in the DCU, with her personality already established in just a few short moments in Superman.
Lanterns
Guy Gardner’s inclusion in Superman as the H๏τheaded leader of the Justice Gang lays early groundwork for the upcoming Lanterns series. Gardner himself won’t be the focal point. However, his presence establishes the Green Lantern Corps as a functioning insтιтution within the DCU.
This makes it easier for Lanterns to introduce Hal Jordan and John Stewart without devoting large amounts of time to explaining the Corps’ existence. Gunn has described the series as a “True Detective-style mystery,” grounding cosmic lore in a gritty Earth-based investigation. Gardner’s reluctant alliance with Superman hints at the complexity of Green Lanterns’ Earthly involvement.
This sets up a tension between cosmic duty and terrestrial politics. While Gardner serves as a tone-setter, Lanterns promises to dive deeper into uncovering threats with a noir-like edge. By first planting Gardner in Superman, Gunn creates a smoother narrative transition into a series that balances mythic grandeur with street-level intrigue.
The Authority
Angela Spica, aka the Engineer, makes a surprising appearance in Superman as one of Lex Luthor’s henchpeople. Played by María Gabriela de Faría, she undergoes experimental procedures to merge with nanotechnology, giving her a liquid-metal body capable of reshaping itself into weapons. This may feel like a side detail, but it’s actually the first step in setting up The Authority.
Known in comics as a morally gray superhero team, The Authority operates outside traditional heroics. They often ᴀssᴀssinate tyrants or dismantle corrupt governments. Spica’s introduction as a morally compromised figure under Lex gives her a starting point before joining this radical team. Their self-тιтled movie was confirmed for the DCU, though recent reports suggest it has been reprioritized.
Nevertheless, Gunn’s DCU seems committed to exploring both shining paragons and dangerous antiheroes. Superman cleverly sets up this balance. By making The Authority’s debut rooted in Lex’s schemes, their eventual rise feels like an inevitable challenge to Superman’s ideals, pushing the DCU into more complex storytelling territory.
Waller
Though Amanda Waller herself doesn’t appear in Superman, her looming presence is unmistakable. The film briefly introduces the DCU’s Rick Flag Sr., a hardened military figure tied to Task Force X. Later, the movie directly references Belle Reve prison when Lex is apprehended.
These nods are more than Easter eggs: they are calculated teases for Viola Davis’ return in Waller, the HBO Max series centered on DC’s most ruthless strategist. Gunn originally intended for Waller to bridge the gap between Peacemaker seasons 1 and 2. However, the series was delayed following the Hollywood Strikes.
Regardless, by planting references in the flagship movie, the show feels less like a spinoff and more like an integral part of the same universe. These subtle seeds highlight Waller’s omnipresence, reminding audiences that she’s pulling strings behind the scenes, preparing her operatives, and remaining one of the most dangerous figures in the DCU.
Krypto The Superdog Shorts
Krypto emerges as one of Superman’s unexpected scene-stealers. Often portrayed as a nuisance to Clark, the super-powered dog adds a layer of comic relief while showcasing Superman’s more human side as a seeming pet owner. Audiences have already latched onto his antics, and Gunn has confirmed that animated shorts featuring Krypto are in development.
These shorts will allow the DCU to expand into lighter, family-friendly content while keeping continuity with the films. Since Krypto’s mischief plays into both comedy and heartwarming companionship, the shorts provide a tonal counterbalance to darker projects like Waller and The Authority. Moreover, Krypto’s ongoing connection to both Superman and Supergirl keeps him narratively relevant.
With his popularity in Superman, these shorts aren’t just throwaway content. They’re a smart way to broaden the DCU’s audience. They will appeal across age groups while maintaining the franchise’s cohesive storytelling approach.
Justice League
Perhaps the most exciting setup in Superman is the Justice Gang, a proto-team featuring Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Metamorpho. Operating out of the Hall of Justice, they reluctantly collaborate with Superman, offering a tantalizing glimpse at how a fully realized Justice League could form. Indeed, Gunn has already confirmed that a Justice League movie is planned.
Superman establishes the foundation in a far more organic way than previous attempts. By creating a team that already functions, albeit imperfectly, Gunn sidesteps the awkward ᴀssembly phase. With Superman joining their ranks, the natural next step is the transition into the Justice League proper.
The dynamics shown in Superman, from Gardner’s ego to Mister Terrific’s analytical brilliance, tease how the eventual lineup will clash and unite. It’s a clever long-term setup, making the Justice League’s arrival feel earned rather than forced. Superman perfectly set the stage for DCU’s Avengers-level event.
