As DC fans await the premiere of Supergirl this summer, James Gunn is already hard at work on the next chapter for the DC Universe’s Super Family. Production has commenced on Man of Tomorrow, Gunn’s Superman follow-up that’s scheduled to hit theaters in July 2027. In the months leading up to filming, the cast of Man of Tomorrow was a particular topic of interest. In addition to returning faces from Superman, the ensemble also features the likes of Lars Eidinger as Brainiac, Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, and Adria Arjona in a mystery role (believed to be Maxima). Even though cameras are now rolling, new cast members are being announced.
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According to Deadline, Matthew Lillard, who was just seen portraying Mr. Charles in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, is making the jump from the MCU to the DCU. He has been cast in Man of Tomorrow in an undisclosed role. Gunn confirmed the news by sharing a set photo of himself with Lillard, which you can see below:
Man of Tomorrow Continues James Gunn’s Partnership With Matthew Lillard
We may not know who Lillard is playing in Man of Tomorrow yet, but it isn’t a surprise to see him join the DCU. He has a longstanding friendship and professional relationship with Gunn. Lillard previously played Shaggy in the two live-action Scooby-Doo movies Gunn wrote in the 2000s. As any auteur, Gunn has his frequently collaborators, and he’s always looking for new opportunities to work with them. Gunn’s probably been interested in having Lillard join the DCU for a while now, but as always, the top priority is finding the right role for the actor.
Since Lillard is no stranger to Gunn’s style, he could be portraying a variety of characters. He’s adept at both comedy and drama, even handling roles that balance both (as he demonstrated on Daredevil: Born Again Season 2). These qualities make him an ideal addition to Man of Tomorrow. Like most of Gunn’s films, Superman blended the director’s trademark sensibilities of heart and humor, so the follow-up should do the same. Even with the twist of Lex Luthor forming an uneasy alliance with Superman to stop Brainiac, there will surely be moments of levity.
It’ll be interesting to see who Lillard ends up playing. As is always the case with shared universes, there’s always a chance his Man of Tomorrow role evolves into a recurring character who pops up in future DCU projects. There’s also a chance this is just a one-off so he can work with Gunn again. Actors are sometimes leery of signing on for major franchises like the DCU because of the specter of multi-picture contracts (which can limit other opportunities down the line). But if it was a one-time thing, Lillard would happily sign on to make a movie with his friend again.
Odds are, Lillard will have a supporting role in Man of Tomorrow. After the casting of Adria Arjona, all of the major parts seem to have been filled. Fans shouldn’t expect to see Lillard as a superhero, but even if he’s just a member of the Daily Planet staff (which appears to be the case based on Gunn’s set photo), it’ll be entertaining to see him on the big screen in a comic book blockbuster. Gunn would not have cast Lillard just for the sake of casting him, so the actor’s character should be an excellent fit for his talents.
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