James Gunn just dropped the first major breadcrumb for his highly anticipated Superman sequel, and it’s weirder than anyone expected. While the internet was busy debating the physics of David Corenswet’s cape, Gunn took to Threads with a simple "We’re live" and a photo that sent the deep-lore fans into a spiral. The post featured a "Mr. Handsome Fan Club" sign and a sculpted bust of the creature’s head, confirming that Man of Tomorrow Mr. Handsome is officially back for round two. If you thought the first film was just a standalone reboot, think again—we are officially in the middle of a massive, multi-film narrative arc.
Real talk: the return of Mr. Handsome isn’t just a cameo for the sake of a "creature of the week" vibe. It’s the first real indicator of how Lex Luthor’s psyche is being dismantled in the DCU. In a world of gods and monsters, the most interesting thing about Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor isn't his bank account or his hatred for the Man of Steel—it’s his attachment to a failed experiment he grew in a jar when he was 12. Here is everything you need to know about the James Gunn Superman sequel and why this "handsome" monster is the secret sauce of the Superman Saga James Gunn is cooking up.
Who is Mr. Handsome in James Gunn's Superman?
Mr. Handsome is a humanoid creature in the DCU created by Lex Luthor in a petri dish when he was 12 years old. Portrayed by Trevor Newlin, the character first appeared in the 2025 film 'Superman' as a resident of Luthor's pocket universe and is confirmed to return in the 2027 sequel 'Man of Tomorrow'.
The creature served as Lex’s chauffeur and transport operator within the Pocket Universe prison seen in the first film. Despite his unsettling, distorted appearance, he represents a pivotal part of the Lex Luthor Mr. Handsome backstory. Gunn has gone on record stating that Mr. Handsome might be the only being Lex feels "true sentiment" for. While Lex views the rest of humanity as ants, he keeps a photo of this failed biological experiment on his desk at Lexcorp. It’s paternal, it’s twisted, and it’s peak DCU storytelling.
Man of Tomorrow Mr. Handsome and the 'Superman Saga' Arc
One thing that most people missed in the initial wave of hype is that Man of Tomorrow isn't just a Man of Steel sequel in the traditional sense. It is the third chapter in what insiders are calling the "Superman Saga." This is a four-film narrative arc that began with 2025’s Superman, continues through Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (releasing June 2026), and hits its stride in Man of Tomorrow before concluding in a currently unannounced fourth project.
This Superman Saga timeline is crucial for understanding why characters like Mr. Handsome are sticking around. The DCU’s "Gods and Monsters" phase is built on the idea that these characters have histories that overlap. When Lex's pocket universe collapsed at the end of the first film, many assumed his creations were lost. However, the "Mr. Handsome Fan Club" sign suggests that Lex has found a way to bring his "son" into the real world—or perhaps into Van Kull Prison, a location Gunn teased months ago via a cryptic badge photo. If Lex is incarcerated, he’s clearly bringing his emotional baggage (and his petri-dish monsters) with him.
The Trevor Newlin Factor: Experience in the Shadows
To understand why Mr. Handsome works, you have to look at the man behind the prosthetics. Trevor Newlin DCU debut wasn't a fluke. Newlin is a veteran creature performer who has spent years in the trenches of high-end prosthetic work, with a filmography that includes heavy-hitters like The Strain and The Tick. His ability to bring "humanity" to a non-human form is exactly why Gunn chose him to play Lex's only friend. Unlike a CGI blob, Newlin’s performance provides a physical anchor for Nicholas Hoult to interact with, making Lex’s affection for the creature feel uncomfortably real.
The Reluctant Alliance: Superman, Lex, and the Brainiac Threat
The core plot of Man of Tomorrow centers on an "all-hands-on-deck" crisis. Lars Eidinger has been cast as the Brainiac villain, a cosmic threat that forces an impossible team-up. We’re going to see David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor working together to stop Brainiac from "bottling" Metropolis.
This isn't just a movie trope; it has deep roots in DC history. Think back to Action Comics #544 or the Justice League animated series—Lex and Clark often find themselves on the same side when a bigger, more logical threat like Brainiac arrives. But here’s the catch: Lex’s motivation isn't heroism; it’s ego. He doesn't want Brainiac stealing his city, and he certainly doesn't want Brainiac touching his creations. This is where Man of Tomorrow Mr. Handsome becomes a plot device. If Brainiac targets Lex’s "sentimental" experiments, we might see a version of Luthor that is more dangerous than ever before.
A Growing Roster of Villains and Allies
While Brainiac is the big bad, the board is crowded with other players that tie back to the broader DCU:
- Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo): Coming off his antagonistic turn in Peacemaker Season 2, Flag Sr. is deep in the "Salvation" storyline. There’s speculation that he might be the one overseeing the Van Kull Prison where Lex and Mr. Handsome are held.
- The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría): After her debut in 2025, she’s back, likely as part of Lex’s tactical team. Her ability to clone herself makes her a formidable asset against Brainiac’s robotic drones.
- Maxima (Adria Arjona): The warrior queen of Almerac is rumored to be a wild card. In the comics, she seeks a genetically compatible mate (usually Superman), which could lead to a messy rivalry with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane at the Daily Planet.
Is Mr. Handsome a Bizarro Prototype?
The smartest people in the group chat are already asking the real questions: Is Mr. Handsome actually the DCU’s version of Bizarro? In the comics, Lex Luthor’s attempts to create life often result in "DNAliens" or flawed clones. Gunn’s description of Mr. Handsome as a "failed attempt to make a human" sounds suspiciously like the origin of a Bizarro-type character.
While he currently looks more like a White Martian or a generic humanoid monster, the collapse of the pocket universe might have altered his physical form. If Mr. Handsome undergoes further mutation in Man of Tomorrow, he could evolve into a more recognizable version of the classic Superman antagonist. Or, he remains a silent, tragic figure—a living reminder that for all of Lex’s genius, he cannot create true life without it being broken. This thematic resonance is what separates Gunn’s DCU from the "mediocre" superhero movies he’s criticized in the past.
Key Takeaways for Man of Tomorrow
- Mr. Handsome is Confirmed: James Gunn’s set photo confirms the return of Lex Luthor’s favorite creation, played by Trevor Newlin.
- Release Date: Mark your calendars for July 9, 2027.
- The Brainiac Factor: Lars Eidinger joins the cast as the primary antagonist, forcing Superman and Lex into a reluctant alliance.
- The Superman Saga: This film is a core chapter in a 4-film narrative arc that connects Superman, Supergirl, and the future of the DCU.
- Rick Flag Sr. Connection: The "Salvation" plot from Peacemaker will likely bleed into this film, with Flag Sr. playing a major role.
The Road to July 2027
The wild part about Man of Tomorrow is how it’s being built as a "reward" for fans paying attention to the smaller details. Whether the "Mr. Handsome Fan Club" is a literal plot point—perhaps Lex forcing other prisoners to adore his creation—or just a crew joke, it signals a director who is deeply in love with his weirdest characters.
We’re still over two years away from the premiere, but the pieces are moving. Between the Man of Tomorrow filming locations being scouted and the cast expanding to include heavy hitters like Aaron Pierre (John Stewart) and Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner), the DC Studios era is leaning hard into the "Gods and Monsters" ethos. The real question isn't whether Superman can beat Brainiac—it's whether Lex Luthor can survive the emotional fallout when his "handsome" experiment finally steps out of the shadows and into the light of a yellow sun.
