A behind-the-scenes clip from James Gunn’s Superman (2025) has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with David Corenswet’s wife, Julia Best Warner, publicly criticizing Rachel Brosnahan for an unscripted kiss with Corenswet after the director called “cut.” The viral video, which has garnered over 50 million views on X, shows Brosnahan, as Lois Lane, kissing Corenswet’s Clark Kent in a kitchen scene, continuing for a few seconds post-cut.

The incident has drawn sharp reactions not only from Warner but also from Brosnahan’s husband, Jason Ralph, who liked a scathing Instagram comment accusing his wife of inappropriate behavior. The dual marital backlash has fueled intense online debate, casting a shadow over the film’s $596 million box-office success and raising questions about professional boundaries in acting.

Julia Best Warner, 32, who married Corenswet in 2023 and welcomed their daughter in 2024, took to Instagram Stories on August 16, 2025, to express her frustration. “I understand acting requires chemistry, but continuing a kiss after ‘cut’ is a choice, not a performance,” she wrote, per screenshots shared on X by @PopBase. Warner’s statement, which avoided naming Brosnahan directly, emphasized her discomfort with the “deliberate” act, noting, “Respecting boundaries matters, on set and off.” Her remarks came after the clip, posted by @godsandmortaIs, showed Brosnahan leaning in for an additional peck, sparking speculation about the actors’ off-screen rapport.

Warner’s public callout, a rare move for a private figure, intensified scrutiny, with some fans on X defending her, saying, “She’s protecting her family,” while others criticized her for fueling drama, with one user (@RiderCGA) commenting, “It’s acting, not a soap opera.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Jason Ralph, Brosnahan’s husband since 2016, liked a now-deleted Instagram comment on his June 2, 2025, post of a squashed banana. The comment, screenshotted and shared widely, read, “It’s genuinely sad to see your career being tucked out to be remembered as a cuckold because your wife couldn’t handle herself with her co-actor. Like bro… let’s have some self love and stand up for yourself man, leave her to be with him if she wants that much at the end of the day.” Ralph’s interaction, reported by People and Variety, led to his disabling comments on Instagram, amplifying perceptions of marital tension.

Some fans, like @AllTimeEnt on X, speculated Ralph’s “like” signaled genuine hurt, while others, including a TikTok user, suggested it was sarcastic, noting Ralph’s history of trolling online haters. “He’s probably laughing at the absurdity,” one commenter wrote.

The controversy has overshadowed Superman’s critical acclaim, with critics praising the chemistry between Corenswet, 32, and Brosnahan, 35, as a highlight of the DC Universe reboot. James Gunn, in a People interview, emphasized their casting for this dynamic, saying, “Their spark was undeniable from the screen test.” Brosnahan, in a Collider interview, described their scenes as “initially physical,” evolving into a deeper bond, while Corenswet told Variety that Brosnahan’s delivery once prompted him to ad-lib an expletive in character.

However, the viral clip has shifted focus from their performances to personal lives, with India’s Central Board of Film Certification cutting a 33-second mid-air kiss for being “overly sensual,” further highlighting the intensity of their on-screen romance.

Social media reactions are divided. Supporters of Brosnahan, like @cloisposting on X, argue the kiss was an in-character moment, stating, “She was still Lois for a second—actors do this.” Others, including a Reddit thread by SafeBodybuilder7191, condemned her, amplifying the Instagram comment Ralph liked.

Critics of Warner’s statement, like a TikTok user, argued, “If you marry an actor, you sign up for this. It’s part of the job.” Brosnahan’s 2019 People interview, where she criticized the double standard of being questioned about her marriage while Ralph was not, resurfaced, adding context to their private stance. Neither Brosnahan, Corenswet, nor Ralph has issued further statements, and Warner’s Stories have expired, leaving the controversy unresolved.

The incident underscores the challenges of navigating public perception in the social media age, where a fleeting moment can spiral into global drama. Superman, available digitally since August 15, 2025, continues to draw audiences, but the off-screen saga has sparked broader discussions about the emotional toll of acting and public scrutiny of personal relationships. As fans await potential clarifications, the controversy serves as a reminder that even superheroes can’t escape the complexities of human emotions and online outrage, leaving the Man of Steel’s legacy tangled in a web of speculation and debate.