According to a detailed report from World of Reel covered by That Park Place, James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie has undergone significant last-minute changes following mixed reactions from a recent test screening. These changes include cutting nearly 25 to 30 minutes of footage, replacing a key editor, and bringing in a second composer to reshape the film’s score.
Major Changes After Test Screening Fallout
The test screening revealed that the original cut, which leaned heavily on humor, did not resonate well with audiences or executives. As a result, many comedic scenes were removed, leading to a shorter and more serious-toned film. This tonal shift also contributed to a reduced runtime, with the final version running around two hours instead of the initially expected 2.5 hours or more.
Editor Replacement and Story Restructuring
One notable development was the quiet removal of a key editor during post-production. This led to a restructuring of the story, with scenes being shuffled and some minor additions made during recent reshoots. Although insiders describe these changes as a “slight tweak,” the fact that adjustments were still being made weeks before the final cut suggests significant creative uncertainty behind the scenes.
Musical Score Overhaul
Warner Bros. also brought in a second composer to assist with the score, indicating tonal concerns at the executive level. This mid-production change in the music team further reflects the film’s evolving direction during post-production.
Studio Involvement and High Stakes
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are reported to be closely involved in the final stages, carefully scrutinizing the film to avoid the box office failures that have plagued recent DC films like The Flash, Shazam 2, Wonder Woman 1984, and others. This Superman reboot is seen as a critical test for the new DC Universe under Gunn’s leadership, with the studio hoping the changes will result in a stronger reception and a clean slate for the franchise.
Visual and Cinematic Style Observations
Some commentary from insiders and fans notes dissatisfaction with the cinematography, describing it as lacking contrast and shadow, making it look more like a TV show than a big-budget movie. The color palette is present, but the overall visual style resembles that of the CW’s Flash series rather than a cinematic superhero film.
Conclusion
The sweeping changes to Superman—cutting significant footage, replacing key post-production staff, tonal overhauls, and musical score adjustments—highlight the high stakes and creative challenges facing the film. The final test screening is imminent, and the studio expresses cautious optimism that the film will succeed and provide the fresh start DC desperately needs.
This situation underscores the pressure on James Gunn’s DC Universe reboot to avoid the pitfalls of previous DC films and deliver a compelling, well-paced superhero movie that can regain audience trust and enthusiasm.
