Warning! This article contains major SPOILERS for Superman
Now thatSupermanhas hit theaters, the next biggest question about James Gunn’sDCUis whetherSuperman 2is on the cards. This is largely becauseSupermanhas been so well-received, no doubt sparking a wave of excitement over where the Man of Steel will go next.
It is safe to say that David Corenswet has made waves asDC’s latest live-action Superman, landing with a flourish inSupermandespite concerns among die-hard DCEU fans that he could never live up to the bar set by his predecessor, Henry Cavill. What he ultimately delivered was a fresh rendition that embraced his humanity.
As the first installment in the entire DC Universe, a lot is riding on the franchise’s first tentpole.Supermanis arguably a litmus test for the entire cinematic universe and whether there is an appetite forfuture DCU installments. Thankfully, it is safe to say that the prognosis looks good.
Supermanis due to be followed bySupergirlon July 29, 2025, with other confirmed projects likeThe Authorityyet to receive concrete release dates. As for whether a directSupermansequel is in the works, here is everything we know so far.
Superman 2 Is Not Confirmed
But The Future Looks Positive
WithSupermanhaving only been released on June 01, 2025,there is no confirmation yet on a sequel. This stands to reason, given James Gunn’s somewhat cautiousapproach to the DC Universe, with the DC Studios co-CEO asserting that upcoming projects must have completed scripts before they are greenlit.
Instead, the closest movie confirmed to at least directly lead on from Superman is Supergirl.
Nevertheless, positive news has come fromSuperman’s lead, David Corenswet. In an interview withVanity Fair, in which Corenswet and Lex Luthor actor Nicholas Hoult were subjected to a lie detector test,Corenswet confessed that his contract extends to a sequel, stating:
“I’m already under contract for a sequel.”
As encouraging as this statement may be,it should not be seen as confirmation that a sequel is en route. Although Corenswet may be contracted to appear in a sequel, several factors may stymie its progress, similar to howMan of Steel 2was initially plannedbut never came to fruition.
Instead, the closest movie confirmed to at least directly lead on fromSupermanisSupergirl. This will star Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El, Kal-El’s cousin, andmay even include David Corenswet’s Kal-El in a cameo similar to Supergirl’s brief appearanceinSuperman. Short of further story details forSupergirl, however, this is pure speculation.
Superman 2 Cast: Who Could Return
Most Of The Cast Could Return
Supermanwas stuffed with charactersfrom every corner of DC Comics, from the conventional to the obscure.Superman story stalwarts like Lois Lane and Lex Luthor are likely to reappearopposite Corenswet’s Superman in future DCU adaptations. However, more obscure characters like the Justice Gang aren’t necessarily a surefire bet.
María Gabriela De Faría
Angela Spica/The Engineer
Nevertheless,Supermansucceeded in making characters like the Justice Gang and Metamorpho feel right at homein a Superman story. Additionally, the movie established a firm friendship between the titular hero and Justice Gang member, Mister Terrific - a relationship cemented by the two starring alongside each other intheSupermanpost-credits scene.
With that in mind,any actor who appeared inSupermancould reprise their roles in a sequel. Still, among the most likely to return include:
Ironically,the only character precluded from appearing due to theirapparent death inSupermanis another character played by David Corenswet: Ultraman. Angela Spica, AKA the Engineer, was also revealed to have survived her fall from the atmosphere as one of Luthor’s lackeys announces she still has a heartbeat, though she is most likely to reappear inThe Authority.
Superman 2is more likely to feature a fresher cast if and when it is confirmed as part of the DCU as it continues to introduce new characters. WithLex Luthor now imprisoned at Belle Reve, Superman will likely face off against a brand-new villainfrom his DC Comics career, such as Brainiac, although Lex is still likely to play a role.
Superman 2 Story Details: How James Gunn’s Movie Sets Up A Sequel
Superman Has An Open Ending
Although Superman emerges victorious against Lex Luthor and his obsessive schemes,he hasn’t exactly quelled every threat Metropolis faces. One scene, for instance, sees Superman hand-wave the presence of an interdimensional assailant as the Justice Gang battle it instead, suggesting gargantuan threats to the city are a dime a dozen.
More terrestrial concerns may also center on the aftermath of Lex Luthor’s plot in Superman.
Still, it is unlikely thatSuperman 2will amount to little more than a fight between Superman and a new monster. Instead,Supermansetsup a deeper conflict for the eponymous hero to tackle in the form of his heritage and his biological parents' true intentionsfor sending him to Earth: to rule over it and repopulate it with Kryptonians.
This might put him at odds withanother Kryptonian mainstay of Superman movies: General Zod. Alternatively, given the star power of Bradley Cooper, who only appears briefly inSupermanas part of a recorded message, some unusual circumstances might bring him face to face with his father, Jor-El.
More terrestrial concerns may also center on the aftermath of Lex Luthor’s plot inSuperman. TheSupermanpost-credits scene, for instance, saw the Man of Steel and Mister Terrific surveying the damage done to Metropolis.This damage may come back to haunt Supermanin the future, worsening the discourse surrounding his decision to operate outside the bounds of government.
Given James Gunn’s interest in avoiding a cinematic universe comprising movies that must be seen for audiences to keep abreast,it is unlikely thatSuperman 2will be set up by another movie likeSupergirl, though not beyond the realm of possibility. Whatever the case,Superman’s open ending means that its sequel could go in whatever direction it pleases.
