James Gunn Denies Batman and Wonder Woman Appearances in Man of Tomorrow

James Gunn has officially put an end to growing fan speculation surrounding Batman and Wonder Woman’s involvement in Man of Tomorrow, the highly anticipated follow-up to his successful Superman reboot. As casting news continues to roll in, excitement around the DCU’s future is at an all-time high—but Gunn is making it clear that not every rumor deserves attention.

Fans Speculate After Major Casting Reveal

With the recent confirmation that Lars Eidinger will portray Brainiac, the iconic Superman villain, fans immediately began theorizing about which other DC heroes might appear in Man of Tomorrow. These theories gained momentum because Gunn’s Superman introduced several notable DC characters, including Mister Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl, setting a precedent for shared-universe storytelling.

Given that Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman form DC’s legendary Trinity, many assumed this sequel would take another step toward assembling the DCU’s core heroes—especially since standalone projects for both Batman and Wonder Woman are already in development.

James Gunn Shuts Down the Rumors

However, James Gunn wasted no time addressing the speculation. Responding directly to fans on Threads, in a post later shared by Home of DCU on X (formerly Twitter), Gunn stated clearly:

“All those rumors of Batman and Wonder Woman auditions are false.”

When pressed further about rumors suggesting Wonder Woman might be the unnamed female role currently being cast for Man of Tomorrow, Gunn doubled down:

“No. We are currently casting a female character in Man of Tomorrow. My only guess is scopers are taking a stab at guessing [Wonder Woman].”

This confirmation firmly rules out both Batman and Wonder Woman from appearing in the film.

Why Excluding the DC Trinity Makes Sense

While some fans may be disappointed, Gunn’s decision is widely seen as a smart creative move. One of the biggest criticisms of the previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU) was its rushed approach to universe-building—particularly 2016’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

That film attempted to function as:

• A Man of Steel sequel

• Batman’s cinematic introduction

• Wonder Woman’s debut

• And a setup for Justice League

The result was a movie many felt was overcrowded and unfocused.

By keeping Man of Tomorrow centered on Superman’s story, Gunn appears determined not to repeat that mistake. Avoiding major Trinity cameos ensures the film won’t feel like a backdoor Justice League pilot, allowing Superman’s narrative and Brainiac’s threat to remain the focal point.

What Female Characters Could Appear Instead?

With Wonder Woman officially ruled out, speculation has shifted to other female DC characters who could plausibly fit into Man of Tomorrow. Possibilities include:

• Maxima, a recurring Superman antagonist

• Renee Montoya, a grounded, character-driven option

• Big Barda, who is already confirmed to be part of the DCU through the upcoming Mister Miracle animated series

Each of these characters would allow Gunn to expand the DCU organically without overshadowing Superman’s journey.

The Future of Wonder Woman in the DCU

Wonder Woman is far from absent in Gunn’s long-term plans. A new Wonder Woman solo film is officially in development, rebooting the character after Patty Jenkins’ two DCEU films starring Gal Gadot. The script is being written by Ana Nogueira, who also penned Supergirl.

This approach suggests Gunn wants Wonder Woman’s DCU debut to be meaningful, focused, and free from the pressure of setting up multiple franchises at once.

Batman’s Debut Is Being Carefully Timed

Batman’s DCU future is similarly calculated. His solo project, The Brave and the Bold, will introduce Bruce Wayne alongside his son Damian Wayne, who will take on the mantle of Robin. The project has experienced delays, and Gunn has openly stated that he does not want DCU Batman announcements to distract from Matt Reeves’ The Batman – Part II, scheduled for release in October 2027.

As a result, the DCU’s Batman likely won’t fully debut until 2028 or later, though fans continue to speculate about a possible tease in this year’s Clayface.

A More Focused DCU Strategy

Ultimately, Gunn’s decision to exclude Batman and Wonder Woman from Man of Tomorrow reflects a more disciplined, story-first strategy for the DCU. Instead of rushing iconic heroes into a single film, Gunn is prioritizing strong standalone narratives that can later connect naturally.