James Gunn isn’t wasting any time moving on to his next project.

The DC Studios co-CEO has confirmed that he is already writing his next movie as work continues on Superman: Man of Tomorrow, although he isn’t revealing what the mysterious project will be just yet.

Gunn shared the update on Threads after a fan asked whether he was ready to begin writing another film.

“Already in it. I had to do something while I was waiting for the assembly!!” Gunn responded.

Gunn also confirmed that the assembly cut of Man of Tomorrow has now been completed, moving the highly anticipated Superman sequel further into post-production.

Production on the film wrapped in August.

For now, what Gunn is writing next remains a mystery. He has not revealed the title, characters or story for the project, leaving plenty of room for speculation about where the DC Universe could be heading after Man of Tomorrow.

Gunn currently serves as co-CEO of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran while also remaining heavily involved creatively in the growing DCU. His next screenplay could potentially involve another major DC character or continue building toward a larger crossover, but nothing beyond Gunn actively writing another movie has been confirmed.

[Warner bros. pictures]

Before Gunn’s mystery project arrives, audiences will see David Corenswet return as Superman in Superman: Man of Tomorrow.

The sequel will see Superman forced to work alongside his longtime enemy Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, against an even greater threat in Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger.

Rachel Brosnahan will return as Lois Lane, with Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

Milly Alcock will also return as Kara Zor-El following Supergirl, while Aaron Pierre is set to bring John Stewart to the big screen after portraying the Green Lantern in Lanterns.

Superman: Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027.

Whatever Gunn is writing next, DC fans now know another movie is already taking shape behind the scenes.

A great movie needs a good story, and a good story needs a great character. Whether they’re flawed and embarking on a growth journey or strong individuals who save the day, an engaging protagonist is often the recipe for success. We love seeing a protagonist win, and sometimes victory comes through brains and intellect.

We are here to celebrate 10 of the cleverest leads. From literal geniuses to individuals who can adapt to any situation, these brilliant characters are exciting to watch because they are clever, ingenious, and even admirable. Though there are certainly many other films with brilliant protagonists, this list represents a smattering of characters on the clever spectrum.

‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001)

Image via Universal Pictures

There are so many brilliant individuals who have played an impeccable role in shaping the world, including John Nash. His story was brought to life in the Ron Howard-directed A Beautiful Mind. Played by Russell Crowe, the film depicts the story of the brilliant mathematician as he develops groundbreaking economic theories alongside paranoid schizophrenia, suffering from severe delusions and visual hallucinations.

Showcasing Nash’s harrowing journey and ultimate triumph, A Beautiful Mind combines a compelling character study with an immersive, empathetic portrayal of mental illness. Structured like a psychological thriller, the film lets the audience experience the inner turmoil Nash faces as he makes extraordinary scientific and mathematical strides. From the revolutionary concept of the Nash equilibrium to his ability to break Soviet encrypted codes, Nash’s genius was on full display. A Beautiful Mind remains a profound film because it shows how complex brilliance can be.

‘Arrival’ (2016)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Denis Villeneuve‘s masterpiece Arrival is one of the greatest hard sci-fi dramas of the 21st century. It centers on linguist Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), who, after 12 massive alien ships land in different locations around the world, learns a circular alien language to prevent a global war while discovering that the language changes her perception of time. A smart, language-focused alien drama, Arrival centers on grief, time, and human connection.

In a story with a plethora of smart individuals, it’s Louise who emerges as the smartest. Arrival depicts her journey through the lens of a massive global crisis using rigorous methodology, deep empathy, and linguistics rather than violence or brute-force code-breaking. Louise does not decode an alien language in a single “aha” moment; she builds a vocabulary word by word, tests hypotheses, watches them fail, and systematically revises her approach. Perhaps the smartest thing she does is choose empathy over fear, something our real world could all learn from.

‘Catch Me If You Can’ (2002)

Image via DreamWorks Pictures

Listen, Frank Abernathy Jr. may have been a conman, but he did so with pizzazz, and you can’t help but be endeared to him. In Steven Spielberg’s crime dramedy, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the brilliant teenage con artist who runs away from home, forges payroll checks to survive, and begins to be a master of deception, posing as a Pan Am airline pilot, a hospital doctor, and a state prosecutor, cashing millions of dollars in fake checks worldwide. FBI banking fraud agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) makes it his mission to hunt Frank down.

Catch Me If You Can is a high-stakes globetrotting cat-and-mouse chase that explores themes of identity, family breakdown, loneliness, and the strange bond that forms between the fugitive and his pursuer. Though it may seem shocking that Frank achieved what he did before turning 21, that’s the story’s allure. His cleverness comes from using human psychology, quick thinking, and deep charm to beat the FBI. His ability to read people became his greatest feat. His quick thinking and adaptability are remarkable.

‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997)

Image via Miramax

While Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are the true geniuses for writing the film, Good Will Hunting is a story about a self-taught genius. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film follows Will Hunting (Damon), a working-class genius in Boston who works as a janitor at MIT. After Will is arrested for a street fight, Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård) bails him out on one condition: Will must study mathematics with him and attend therapy sessions with Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

Will is an incredibly accessible character, using defense mechanisms and arrogance to protect himself from past childhood abuse and the fear of abandonment, and watching him slowly dismantle these walls makes for a deeply cathartic journey. Then we have his quick-thinking mind: Will uses his quick mind and vocabulary to tear down pompous, wealthy people, mock professional therapists, and quote history or law to win arguments. He also has a photographic memory and genius-level math skills. He’s smarter than MIT, but he’s an example of how only the wealthy have the means to grow intellectually.

‘Home Alone’ (1990)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Let’s face it, we all wished we could be Kevin McCallister as a kid. In the iconic ‘90s classic Home Alone, 8-year-old boy Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind when his large family flies to Paris for Christmas. While having fun alone, he soon discovers two local thieves, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), known as the Wet Bandits, plan to rob his house. Kevin must defend his home, rigging it with clever, painful booby traps like icy stairs, blowtorches, and paint cans.

Though his targets may be hilariously bumbling fools, Kevin shows quick ingenuity. Not necessarily an ideal role model, Kevin manages basic survival tasks like grocery shopping, avoiding stranger danger, and running a household. He transforms everyday household items into weapons and traps while using audio recordings from a fake 1930s gangster movie to trick the burglars into thinking an armed man is inside the house. Though it may not be the most realistic film, it remains a timeless classic that taps into our eternal childhood whimsy.

‘Iron Man’ (2008)

Image via Marvel Studios

The MCU is filled with some incredible characters, but none is more of a genius than Tony Stark. It all came to light in the first film in the franchise, Iron Man. The origin story follows Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a billionaire genius and weapons manufacturer who, while being held prisoner, builds a miniature arc reactor and constructs a heavy prototype suit of armor, which becomes the basis of his new superhero identity, Iron Man.

A revolutionary superhero flick, Iron Man set the course for the entire MCU, establishing the titular character as the ultimate genius mentor. The combination of Downey Jr. and an iconic character was truly a perfect match. He gave him an enigmatic charisma and bravado, but backed it up with practical cleverness that diminished the arrogance. Tony relies entirely on his genius, engineering skills, and rapid problem-solving, giving the character a tangibility rooted in skill rather than magic or supernatural powers, pairing sharp, rapid-fire humor with a pragmatic approach to crisis management.

‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

Image via Universal Pictures

Starring Cillian Murphy as the titular character, Oppenheimer chronicles the life of the American physicist who led the secret Manhattan Project to build the first atomic bomb during World War II. Told through two timelines, Oppenheimer showcases Oppenheimer and a team of scientists building and successfully testing the nuclear weapon at the Trinity Site, as well as his testimony during a high-level security clearance hearing orchestrated by Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.) from the Atomic Energy Commission, driven by political motives and personal animosity.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is a masterpiece that dives deep into Oppenheimer’s mind as he morally questions his actions and feels immense guilt years later. Nolan opted against a standard biopic that would read as a documentary. Instead, it’s a masterful mix of brilliance and psychological burden and how they interacted, depicted as a deeply complex, multi-layered vessel of both creation and destruction. Oppenheimer’s greatest feat isn’t solving an equation; it’s managing the Manhattan Project, successfully managing thousands of erratic, ego-driven, Nobel Prize-winning scientists, and keeping them focused on a singular goal under extreme military pressure.

‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)

Image via The Weinstein Company

Another example of real-life geniuses, The Imitation Game follows brilliant British mathematician Alan Turing. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, the Morten Tyldum-directed film tells the tale of Turing and his team designing an early electromechanical computer to break Nazi Germany’s Enigma code during World War II. Turing’s team must carefully manage their intelligence to alter the course of the war without letting the Germans know their code has been compromised.

Combining a high-stakes historical thriller with an emotionally resonant character study of a deeply misunderstood genius, The Imitation Game does a remarkable job of presenting a fascinating individual. Turing is more than just a mastermind: he’s a lone, misunderstood visionary who outsmarts both the Nazi military and his skeptical superiors. Long before AI inundated the world with power, Turing proved the Bombe could do what no human mind could calculate in time. He uses a complex calculus of war, figuring out not just how to crack the code, but how to strategically withhold victories so the enemy never realizes their code has been compromised.

‘The Martian’ (2015)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Based on Andy Weir‘s brilliant novel, The Martian is a space nightmare that becomes a survival thriller of epic proportions. Directed by Ridley Scott, botanist and mechanical engineer astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is struck by debris, separated from the team, and presumed dead. Stranded alone on Mars, Watney must use his scientific ingenuity and unique skill set to stay alive.

Damon makes Watney one cool dude who just happens to have a massive brain. His intelligence is rooted in practical, real-world science rather than convenient sci-fi tropes or unexplained genius. There are no MacGuffins here: Watney survives entirely by understanding his environment’s rules and systematically exploiting them; in short, he truly does “science the s—t out of this.” The story showcases immaculate human resiliency. While Weir’s other major protagonist from Project Hail Mary could have snuck in here, Watney did it on his own without the assistance of a beloved alien. ​​​​​​​

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

Image via Paramount Pictures

To close our journey out, a protagonist whose cleverness was a long game: Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption. Based on the novella by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption tells the story of Dufresne, a banker who is wrongfully sentenced to life in prison for a murder he did not commit. Rather than let the institution break him down, Andy uses his banking and financial skills to help corrupt prison guards and the cruel warden, Samuel Norton, launder money. While forming a lifelong friendship with fellow inmate Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), Andy executes a secret, brilliant escape plan.

A unique individual, Andy uses his quiet patience, professional background, and a two-decade-long plan to outsmart a brutal prison system. Andy uses a tiny rock hammer to tunnel through his cell wall, hiding the hole behind posters while playing off the warden’s arrogance. By secretly playing the corrupt system by double-crossing the warden, Andy makes himself indispensable, earning protection and securing resources like the prison library. His psychological misdirection becomes his greatest asset, as he establishes a false identity that lets him walk out and become a whistleblower against the laundering.

Teresa Giudice’s daughter, Milania Giudice, appears to be looking at her mother a little differently after their recent airport clash. 

The 20-year-old reality star’s daughter offered Teresa a public apology this week after a video of their shocking confrontation drew online attention. 

Rather than letting the airport drama define their relationship, she turned to social media with a surprisingly affectionate message for the Real Housewives of New Jersey star.

Teresa Giudice’s Daughter Milania Has A Change Of Heart

David Corenswet’s future as Superman reportedly looks secure even as major changes are coming to Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios.

According to a new report from insider Jeff Sneider, Corenswet is expected to remain the DC Universe’s Superman for years following the merger involving Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.

The report indicates that Corenswet’s position as the Man of Steel is not expected to be affected by potential changes surrounding DC Studios once the merger is completed. One source reportedly suggested Corenswet could remain in the red cape for as long as the next decade.

While that should not be treated as an official commitment from DC Studios or the incoming company, it is an encouraging sign for the future of the current Superman.

Corenswet made his debut as Clark Kent/Superman in James Gunn’s Superman, officially launching the theatrical side of Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe.

He is already set to return in Man of Tomorrow, continuing the story established in Superman. The film is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027.

David Corenswet as Superman [Warner Bros.]

The timing of the report is particularly interesting because Warner Bros. Discovery is preparing for another major change in ownership. Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced that their merger is expected to close on October 6, bringing Warner Bros., DC and Paramount under the same corporate umbrella.

Major ownership changes frequently lead to questions about existing franchises, executives and long-term creative plans. DC fans experienced exactly that during the transition from the previous DC film universe to Gunn and Safran’s DCU, which ultimately resulted in Henry Cavill departing the Superman role shortly after announcing his return.

Corenswet, however, reportedly isn’t facing the same uncertainty.

David Corenswet as Superman [Warner Bros.]

There is also an existing connection between Corenswet and the incoming Paramount leadership. The actor stars in Paramount’s upcoming Mr. Irrelevant, giving the studio another major project with the actor outside of his Superman role.

Exactly what the merger means for the leadership and long-term structure of DC Studios remains to be seen. Gunn and Safran currently oversee the DC Universe, but the new ownership structure could eventually bring changes throughout Warner Bros. and its major franchises.

For now, though, one of the biggest pieces of the DCU reportedly appears to be staying in place.

David Corenswet is Superman — and if the latest report proves accurate, he could be wearing the cape for a long time.

Days of Our Lives puts EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) with a secret brother that Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) had with Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) and a sibling rivalry that EJ does not even know about. And even worse, Dominic Marino could be planning to take everything from EJ, not just the Kiriakis mansion and not just the Phoenix ring.

Days of our Lives: EJ At a Low Point

Let’s get into this new sibling rivalry coming soon between EJ and Dominic. Right now, EJ’s world seems to be falling apart. This week, Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) is ratting EJ out to Belle Black (Martha Madison). And it looks like Johnny is ready to testify against EJ for the pharmaceutical cover up that he did with George O’Halloran.

On top of that blindside coming his way, EJ’s plan to snatch up the Kiriakis mansion was thwarted and he was looking forward to crushing Titan. But that just fell apart as well. Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) scored big in Monte Carlo and was able to save Titan by paying off EJ’s loan even though Philip’s text to Xander Cook Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) to hold off on the house closing did not go through for some reason. Either way, EJ lost out on getting his revenge on the Kiriakis brothers.

Dominic & Dante Teamed Up on DOOL

And even worse, his secret brother, Dominic, is the one behind the purchase of the Kiriakis mansion. Plus, Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney)’s fiancée, Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), is working with Dominic to try and make sure the Kiriakis family could not salvage their home.

But Philip just got lucky. What’s worse is Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) and Maggie Horton (Susanne Rogers) are plotting to overturn the sale of the Kiriakis mansion by saying there are defects in the property that prevent the sale from going through.

They’re hoping that they can refund Dominic the money and keep the house. We’ll see if that works out or not. Either way, EJ will not have it and he’s thwarted. And I do suspect when Dante shows up this week and surprises Sydney DiMera (Sydney Malakeh) that Dante may be in Salem to take possession of the Kiriakis mansion for his old boarding school buddy Dominic.

EJ Furious on Days

So, EJ already was raging about mystery man Dominic snaking the mansion out from under him. Remember, he went to Italy with Belle and Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) primarily because EJ was hoping to confront Dominic, and he’s frustrated he did not get to see the mystery man. Plus, he and Chad both found it strange how many of Stefano’s favorite things were casually lying around Dominic’s mansion.

And on top of EJ’s disappointments related to Philip and Xander Kiriakis, we know that EJ’s frantic about the missing prized Phoenix ring that Stefano used to wear on his pinky. That’s because Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney) sent that ring to the new heir apparent Dominic. And she’s been lying right in EJ’s face about it. Plus, Rita’s following Dominic’s orders and dropping clues for Belle and Chad to find him in Italy.

And the fact that Stefano’s will included this book quest to start the mystery also points to Dominic being the one meant to take over for the Phoenix, not EJ. Last week on Days of Our Lives, EJ overheard Rita and Marlena talking about Dominic being Stefano’s son with Marlena. And this week, we’ve got EJ confronting Rita about what she knows about Dominic.

EJ Grills Rita on DOOL

We’ll find out exactly how much that EJ overheard once he starts questioning Rita. So, EJ may suspect that his time as the presumed head of the DiMera family is in jeopardy and he may feel that Rita is no longer as loyal as she claims to be. And of course he would be exactly right about that. Also, Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) is questioning EJ this week. And I’m sure that’s about the statement Johnny made to the cops.

So, we’ve got the law breathing down EJ’s neck soon. We’ve got a messy confrontation with Rita. We’ve got his son turning on him. Plus, Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) just quit and she’s been honeypotting him. Things do not seem great for the mighty Elvis Jr. right now. And I suspect that Dominic may be after more than just a house and a ring.

Sami Targeted on Days of our Lives

Dominic is well known in Europe for his dealings in the financial world with his hedge fund. He’s known to be ruthless. We also know that he is working with Dante, who’s engaged to EJ’s ex-wife and baby mama, Sami. That does not seem like a coincidence. I think Dante targeted Sami, to get close to her, to get close to EJ’s daughter, Sydney. And this may be all for nefarious reasons. And because Dante’s close to Dominic and doing his bidding, that’s why he could have started dating Sami as part of whatever he’s scheming up with Dominic.

So, EJ may lose everything before his younger brother’s done with him, which would fulfill Stefano’s legacy because he was so ruthless. I’m expecting we’re finally going to meet Dominic when he makes his way to Salem most likely during November sweeps, which starts October twenty-ninth.

Dominic Takes it All on Days

In addition to having his sidekick Dante get with Sami and get close to Sydney, plus the Kiriakis mansion grab, there’s a lot more possibilities for chaos. EJ just lost his rights to own the hospital. It’s been transitioned into receivership until another buyer can be found. Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) just lost her chance as a potential buyer. But Dominic could swoop in and buy up Salem University Hospital.

And of course, that would thrill a lot of people because Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) and Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) do not want EJ anywhere near the hospital. Plus, Dominic might buy it because his mom Marlena is a doctor there. That would hit EJ really hard. I also am wondering if EJ has been set up by Rita. She might be the reason EJ possibly goes down for the GabiChic purse counterfeiting ring.

Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) just hired Theo Carver (Tyler Joseph Andrews) to trace the internet breadcrumbs back to the thieves and it may be a false trail designed to implicate EJ. So, we could also see Dominic waiting in the wings for another shot at Titan. There’s rumors and spoilers about Philip starting gambling again because he’s trying to help Gabi with this dark web thing. So, that might give Dominic an opening to get into Titan. Nobody seems to be on EJ’s side right now except maybe Sydney.

Dominic Connected to Clyde on DOOL?

And she loves EJ, but she also does not want Johnny going down for anything to do with EJ’s dirty deeds. Plus, he’s feeling very foolish for letting Cat get close to him with her past ISA ties. And EJ’s certain Cat is still ISA, and he’s not wrong. And I wonder somehow if Dominic knew about his brother EJ and Cat’s involvement while they were both hospitalized in Italy.

I mean, I would not put it past that Dominic might have known Clyde Weston (James Read) and have somehow been involved with him to get info on EJ. Who knows where this all ends? There’s tentacles everywhere. It seems like Dominic’s been lying and wait for the right time to strike at EJ. And that might have been when there was confirmation of Stefano’s death. That may be what have triggered Dominic to launch his big plan against EJ.

That seems to have different aspects, personal and professional. It would not surprise me in the least if Dominic works his way into Cat’s life as well. EJ does not trust Cat right now. But he’s still hot for her. And if she wound up as Dominic’s arm candy, that’s one more way for him to slap at big brother EJ. Bottom line, with Johnny turning on him, the hospital loss, the mansion sold, and Rita betraying him, EJ is circling the drain, and he does not even know it yet.