As DC Studios co-head James Gunn puts the finishing touches on the initial editing phases of his upcoming slate, the filmmaker has revealed that he is already hard at work writing his next mysterious project. While deep in post-production on Man of Tomorrow—the highly anticipated sequel to 2025’s Superman—Gunn’s writing habit has once again sparked intense speculation across the internet regarding what the architect of the new DC Universe might tackle next.
Gunn shared the update regarding his writing schedule with fans on Threads, the social media platform where the director frequently interacts with the comic book film community. Responding directly to a user’s inquiry, Gunn joked that he began penning the secret project simply because he "had to do something while I was waiting for the assembly!"
The comment was a playful reference to the assembly cut of Man of Tomorrow, which represents the very first rough draft of a film’s edit, compiled by piecing all the shot footage together in script order. Over the weekend, Gunn officially announced that the assembly cut for the upcoming DCU tentpole had been completed. With that milestone reached, the director will likely need to pause his nascent writing endeavors to focus heavily on the rigorous post-production demands of Man of Tomorrow, which is currently scheduled to hit theaters next year.
Unpacking the Mystery: What Could Gunn’s Next Project Be?
True to form, Gunn kept any specific plot details or titles strictly under wraps, leaving fans to guess what cinematic venture he is quietly scripting behind the scenes. Given his comprehensive creative oversight and exclusive exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Discovery—which is also navigating ongoing industry shifts following its planned corporate changes and merger developments—it is widely assumed that the mystery endeavor is another film within the interconnected DC Universe.
However, pinpointing the exact nature of the project remains a puzzle. The broader slate of upcoming DCU movies and television shows already features a roster of confirmed writers and directors actively attached to various properties, most of whom are separate from Gunn himself. This leaves a broad canvas of possibilities for the studio boss. Speculation among film enthusiasts ranges from a potential third installment in his burgeoning Superman franchise to, perhaps most notably, a foundational Justice League team-up film that brings the studio’s primary superhero roster together under his direct creative direction.
While the filmmaker balances these grand long-term plans, he has also had to actively manage the immediate wave of fan theories and unauthorized rumors swirling around his current productions, particularly concerning high-profile casting choices.
Gunn Continues to Shoot Down Wonder Woman and Casting Rumors
In addition to offering a glimpse into his writing habits, Gunn found himself needing to address and diffuse online speculation sparked unintentionally by one of Man of Tomorrow‘s own cast members. Frank Grillo, who features in the expanding DC film universe, recently reposted a fan-made promotional poster for the upcoming movie. The fan art prominently depicted Adria Arjona in the role of Wonder Woman—a casting idea that has rapidly become a dominant theory among eager fans online despite a complete lack of official studio confirmation.
Recognizing the potential for expectations to spiral out of control, Gunn stepped in to clarify the situation and temper fan theories. Addressing the repost directly on Threads, Gunn wrote that Grillo does not actually know who Arjona is playing in the broader DCU, nor whether she has any sort of role or even an incredibly small cameo appearance in Man of Tomorrow. The director cautioned that internet commentators and fans have been making far too much of the social media interaction.
The incident highlights the delicate balancing act studio executives face in the era of social media, where minor online activity by actors can instantly transform into widespread purported leaks. Arjona’s actual role in the DC cinematic universe remains a closely guarded secret, adding to the air of mystery surrounding the character roster of upcoming releases.
She is not the only actor whose involvement has sparked a flurry of unverified speculation. Just days prior to the incident involving the fan poster, Gunn was forced to publicly step in and shut down another prominent rumor circulating online. That particular theory had convinced sections of the internet that veteran actor Matthew Lillard was slated to play the DCU’s version of the Flash. With Gunn repeatedly dismantling these expansive fan-castings and theories, the studio continues to maintain tight control over the official rollout of its overarching narrative and character debuts.
As Man of Tomorrow moves steadily through post-production toward its theatrical debut next year, Gunn’s dual focus on finishing his current directorial responsibilities and quietly plotting his next narrative steps ensures that the future of the DC Universe remains one of the most closely watched subjects in the entertainment industry.
