"he was the future"

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

The following is a part of a novel.

...Michael (a thirteen-year-old boy) shrugged. It was as if he knew he was untouchable, unconquerable. He was the future. He didn't have to give the present any attention.

Does "he was the future" mean "What he cares is all about future" or "He's only looking at the future" or something like that?

Also, is this a common phrase?

OP

[5jj]

It probably means that he felt that he was vitally important in the world of the future. It is the sort of idea that a young Hitler might have had.