3 Comic Storylines James Gunn Could Bring to the Next Superman Movie
James Gunn isn’t sitting around and waiting for Krypto to save his script again. Just four weeks after Superman landed in movie theaters (and the film arrives on digital), the DCU boss revealed that he has already wrapped a detailed treatment for the next chapter of the Man of Steel’s story. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn said his “hope” is to “begin production not too far away from today.” But what exactly could the Superman sequel be about? And which comic books could inspire the upcoming DCU film?
One of the most interesting details about the next Superman film is that Gunn refuses to use the word “sequel” when discussing his upcoming project. Yes, we know Superman will be front and center of the story again, but, according to Gunn, it won’t necessarily be Superman 2. In fact, rumors suggest that it could be a possible Superman/Supergirl team-up film with an arc involving The Authority.
But what other stories from the comic books could inspire Superman’s second chapter in the DCU?
1. All-Star Superman Again
It’s no secret that James Gunn’s Superman (2025) owes a lot to All-Star Superman. It shows in the details. That shot of Superman and Krypto sitting on the moon and watching over Earth is straight from the comics. The Kryptonian robots, the Fortress of Solitude tech, and even the fights between multiple versions of Superman are all depicted, too.
But Gunn didn’t just copy and paste. He adapted all those scenes to his own style. But, fortunately, not everything made the cut, which leaves room for surprises in future films. He’s hinted at ideas like Lois Lane gaining powers for a day, flying alongside Superman and taking down villains herself. The Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely books also show that Lex Luthor is still scheming from behind bars, while bad guys like General Zod, Solomon Grundy, Parasite, and Brainiac make special appearances, too.
There’s still a ton of stuff for Gunn to grab from All-Star Superman.
2. A Re-Imagined Kingdom Come
James Gunn borrowed the Superman logo from Kingdom Come, but most of Mark Waid and Alex Ross’s story didn’t make it into Superman (2025). David Corenswet might be too young to play an older Superman, but the ideas could be adapted to the world Gunn built in the first film.
Kingdom Come imagines a future where the Justice League retires after the rise of Magog and other morally ambiguous younger heroes. After Captain Atom’s death devastates the American Midwest and disrupts food production, Wonder Woman urges Superman to return to Metropolis and rebuild the Justice League. The comic focuses on bitter arguments between old friends, with Ross highlighting every wrinkle and scar of aging heroes. Yet the heart of the story is clear: forgiveness and restraint are true strength.
Gunn already hinted at this theme in Superman (2025) with the Justice Gang. A sequel could push that further, showing a clash between classic ideals and the next generation’s moral flexibility. There’s also room to weave in commentary on political struggles and nuclear threats, just like the comic did. If Gunn uses Kingdom Come as a base for the story, the next Superman movie could be more than action. It could be a story about responsibility and restraint.
3. For the Man Who Has Everything Could Reveal The Truth About His Kryptonian Parents
One of the most controversial changes Gunn made to Superman’s lore in the new DCU film is to his Kryptonian parents, Jor-El and Lara. In the movie, a hologram message from them reaches Kal-El, but Lex Luthor decrypts the full content, revealing that Jor-El wanted his son to rule Earth like a king, not act as a saviour like Jonathan and Martha hoped. That revelation could be the door to the next story.
Imagine a sequel where David Corenswet’s Superman gets a firsthand look at his parents’ life on Krypton before their deaths. Instead of a dream sequence like in For the Man Who Has Everything, Superman would witness the truth: Jor-El’s warnings about Krypton’s doom, Lara’s passing, political upheaval, and Jor-El’s rise as chairman of the “Sword of Rao,” a group calling for Krypton’s return to its old, noble ways. You’d also see the public backlash against the Phantom Zone he created.
This approach lets the character and the audience understand the weight behind the message they sent. It would add layers to Superman’s role on Earth and set up real conflict between his father’s expectations and the moral guidance he received from his adoptive parents. Fans would finally see why Jor-El envisioned a ruler, not a saviour, and it could fuel some serious tension in the next film.
The DCU slate is heating up fast. Supergirl arrives in 2026. Clayface starts production in September. And, according to reports, Wonder Woman is already being fast-tracked, too. With all that in motion, it’s not hard to imagine Gunn’s next Superman adventure coming soon. Whether that means more Kryptonian family drama, an Authority crossover, or something entirely unexpected, it’s pretty clear that Gunn is confident in where the character’s headed.
