So THAT’s why Superman went to streaming so fast.!

The incredible reveal in Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 6, titled "Ignorance Is Chris," has done exactly what James Gunn hinted it would: it clarified a major Superman character's post-Superman status and kick-started the plot for the next film, Man of Tomorrow. This isn't just a simple guest appearance. It’s a foundational piece of DC Universe lore, and it reveals why the Superman film was rushed onto digital platforms to beat the TV show's massive spoiler.

.

.

The Ultimate Spoiler: Luthor is Open for Business.

In the episode, we find a character whose fate was decided in the Superman climax. This character, whom we know to be Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor, is imprisoned at Belle Reve, confirming that his world-threatening actions involving his dimensional technology—the notorious "Luthor Incident"—led directly to his incarceration.

Now, A.R.G.U.S. Director Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) is desperate. Peacemaker has escaped to a Nazi-tinged alternate dimension, and Flag needs the world’s foremost and most dangerous expert on unstable dimensional portals. That expert is Lex.

Flag offers Luthor the ultimate prize for his help: a transfer out of Belle Reve and into the much softer, non-metahuman prison of Van Kull, calling it an "opportunity for redemption." The deal? Lex has to lend his genius to tracking down Peacemaker's dimensional portal technology, which is throwing dangerous energy readings across their universe.

The Multiversal Path to Man of Tomorrow

This scene is the trigger for the entire next phase of the DCU. As James Gunn has emphatically stated, Peacemaker Season 2 is a "prequel" to Man of Tomorrow.

The Luthor scene is the moment the villain gains crucial leverage to escape the metahuman prison system. By forcing him to "collaborate" with the government, Flag is unknowingly putting Luthor on the path to freedom, a path that will inevitably lead to him regaining his power and influence. It’s a classic supervillain move executed with modern DCU precision!

The dimensional chaos created by Peacemaker’s Quantum Unfolding Chamber inadvertently gives Lex Luthor the perfect excuse to re-enter the main stage. The multiversal threat that Peacemaker unleashed is exactly the kind of massive, shared foe that Gunn has teased will force an unlikely alliance between Superman and a newly "heroic" Lex Luthor in Man of Tomorrow.

Don't Miss the Finale Setup

There are still two high-stakes episodes left in Peacemaker Season 2, which James Gunn has kept under tight wraps because they contain major spoilers for the wider DCU!

The season finale, which airs October 9th, is expected to be the most crucial episode in setting up the Man of Tomorrow conflict. You won't want to miss a moment of the final push.

Catch all new episodes of Peacemaker Season 2 streaming exclusively on Max every Thursday! The fate of a major Superman villain—and the plot of the next big film—is being decided right now on your TV screen!

The announcement of James Gunn's new DC film, "Man of Tomorrow," has sent a charge of anticipation through the world of superhero cinema. While a new Superman movie is thrilling on its own, the subtle hint of a potential team-up between the Man of Steel and his greatest enemy, Lex Luthor, is what truly sets this project apart. This isn't just a bold new direction for the cinematic universe; it's a deep dive into one of the most complex and fascinating rivalries in all of fiction.

For those who see Superman and Lex Luthor as eternal enemies, it may come as a surprise that their history is filled with moments of reluctant alliance. These instances, found across decades of comics, animated shows, and even video games, are not just rare occurrences. They are pivotal stories that reveal new facets of both characters, often under the direst of circumstances. A shared, universe-threatening foe is often the only thing that can force them to set aside their animosity for a greater good, or at least for Luthor's own self-serving interests. Let's explore some of the most prominent examples that could inspire "Man of Tomorrow."

When Worlds Collide: The First Iconic Team-Up

In one of the earliest instances of a genuine truce, Superman #164 (1963), by writers Jerry Siegel and Edmond Hamilton, a drought-ridden alien world faces destruction. Desperate, its people seek out the "two greatest minds on Earth," bringing Superman and Lex Luthor to their dying planet. Recognizing that only their combined abilities can save the world, the two arch-enemies agree to a truce. Luthor, using his scientific genius, works with Superman's immense power to reverse the planet's fate. This tale established a template for future team-ups, proving that even the most bitter enemies could find common ground.

A Fading Sun and A Final Act of Heroism: The Final Night

In the 1996 crossover event The Final Night, written by Karl Kesel, a mysterious alien known as the Sun-Eater arrives and begins to devour Earth's sun, plunging the planet into a perpetual winter. With Superman's powers fading and humanity facing extinction, Lex Luthor, ever the pragmatist, puts his ego aside for a final, desperate attempt to save the world. He offers his technology to the heroes, building devices and working with a weakened Superman. His assistance is essential in the plan to defeat the Sun-Eater, but his motivations are rooted in his belief that if the world is to be saved, it should be because of his genius, not just Superman's.

United Against Universal Annihilation: Our Worlds at War

When the cosmic conqueror Imperiex, a being of pure entropy, begins destroying planets on a collision course with Earth in the 2001 crossover event Our Worlds at War, a massive creative team including writers Jeph Loeb and Joe Casey chronicled the battle. In this crisis, President Lex Luthor finds himself in the unthinkable position of having to work with Superman, the Justice League, and even Darkseid to defend the planet. Luthor's strategic brilliance is put to the test as he coordinates a global military response, showcasing his unwavering belief that he, and only he, can truly lead humanity to victory against a threat that dwarfs his rivalry with Superman.

Lex Luthor, Justice Leaguer?! The New 52 Era

Following the events of the Forever Evil storyline, Lex Luthor makes the shocking move of joining the Justice League in the Justice League comic series (2013-2016), primarily written by Geoff Johns. This prolonged and uneasy alliance forces the team to accept one of their most dangerous enemies into their ranks. The arc explores the constant tension and mistrust between Luthor and his new teammates, particularly Superman, as Luthor tries to prove he can be a hero while the League questions his every move. This period offers a deep and fascinating look into Luthor's psyche as he grapples with what it means to be a "hero."

A Common Foe, A Desperate Alliance: Doomsday Returns

In Action Comics #958 (2016), written by Dan Jurgens, the monstrous Doomsday returns to Metropolis, forcing an uneasy alliance between the newly returned pre-Flashpoint Superman and the New 52's Lex Luthor, who is now operating as a hero. Luthor, wearing a suit with the "S" shield to honor the New 52 Superman, finds himself fighting alongside the man he has always viewed as his greatest obstacle. The two put their differences aside to face the common threat, with Luthor's strategic mind and technology working in tandem with Superman's raw power.

Trapped in a Dreamscape: Justice League Unlimited

Even in the animated series Justice League Unlimited, the two were forced to work together. In the series finale, Destroyer (2006), written by Dwayne McDuffie and directed by James Tucker, the entire Justice League, along with the Legion of Doom, must unite to fight against the cosmic tyrant Darkseid. The focus of the episode hones in on the ultimate conflict as Superman, Lex Luthor, and Batman face Darkseid in a final, climactic confrontation. This ultimate team-up sees Luthor give up his life's work to save humanity, and even though he has his own twisted motivations, he ultimately stands alongside Superman to face a power greater than both of them.

A potential Superman and Lex Luthor alliance in "Man of Tomorrow" would be a game changer, offering an unpredictable dynamic that can lead to captivating character development. It acknowledges the rich history of their relationship and opens the door for a truly modern and deeply engaging take on the Superman mythos.

Which of these iconic alliances do you hope to see influence the film's storyline?