With the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix capturing global attention, another spectacle is unfolding off the track: the ongoing saga surrounding James Gunn’s Superman film, set to soar into theaters on July 11, 2025. The DC Studios co-chief recently addressed the wave of online criticism targeting his reboot, particularly a controversial plot element involving Lex Luthor’s social media trolling campaign against the Man of Steel. During a fan Q&A on Threads, reported by IGN, Gunn responded to a query about “people being weird about Superman” with a calm but pointed remark: “Those trolling online? They’re very much the minority.” He further expressed disinterest in engaging with such detractors, emphasizing his focus on delivering a hopeful, authentic Superman story over fueling internet debates. This stance has stirred reactions, amplifying the divide between supporters and critics as the DCU’s flagship film approaches.
The controversy stems from a leaked plot detail, first shared by X user MyTimeToShineHello and amplified by YouTubers like Nerdrotic, claiming Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) orchestrates a smear campaign using a “#SuperShit” hashtag and mutant monkeys to flood social media with anti-Superman sentiment. Critics, particularly Zack Snyder fans, have called this a self-referential jab, alleging Gunn is projecting his 2018 Disney firing—over resurfaced offensive tweets—onto the narrative. Outlets like Cosmic Book News and Bounding Into Comics argue the plot mocks Snyder’s Man of Steel and its fans, with @BoundingComics on X labeling it a “self-insert.” Gunn’s defenders, however, see it differently. @Truth31The on X echoed Gunn’s claim, calling detractors a “vocal loud minority,” while @CoveredGeekly noted Gunn’s agreement that some reactions are overblown, quoting his reply: “Tell me about it.”
Gunn’s Superman, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and featuring characters like Krypto the Superdog, aims to reframe the hero as a beacon of hope and kindness. The December 2024 trailer, showcasing a battered Superman seeking Krypto’s aid, sparked polarized responses. Supporters on r/comicbooks, like @CosmosBazaar, praised its All-Star Superman-inspired vibrancy, with one user comparing it to Captain America: The First Avenger for its earnest tone. Critics on r/SnyderCut, such as @Horror_Campaign9418, decried the focus on side characters like Guy Gardner, fearing it overshadows Superman. The Hollywood Reporter noted the trailer’s lighter tone compared to Snyder’s “glum-core” aesthetic, but Bleeding Fool warned that Gunn’s inclusion of social media trolling risks alienating fans seeking escapism.
Gunn’s disinterest in the trolling controversy aligns with his broader vision, articulated at a press event covered by Variety. He described Superman as a story about “human goodness,” set in a world where superheroes coexist, drawing parallels to Game of Thrones for its grounded yet fantastical scope. “This is a place we can all go home to,” Gunn said, emphasizing Superman’s moral simplicity over the “polarizing” internet culture. This sentiment resonates with fans like @TheMoviePodcast on X, who quoted Gunn celebrating kindness as the film’s core. Yet, detractors on r/KotakuInAction, like @Dramatic-MansaMusa, called the trolling subplot “corny,” comparing it to She-Hulk’s missteps, with some speculating Gunn’s silence on the leak—unlike his rebuttals of other rumors—implies its accuracy.
The backlash partly ties to Gunn’s past, notably his 2018 firing from Disney over decade-old tweets about pedophilia and rape, spotlighted by alt-right figures like Mike Cernovich, as reported by The Guardian. Reinstated by Disney and now leading DC Studios with Peter Safran, Gunn’s resilience shines through, but critics like Cosmic Book News argue he’s using Superman to settle scores, pointing to a similar “incel” subplot in Creature Commandos. Gunn’s defenders counter that the trolling element, lasting roughly 30 seconds per Nerdrotic, is a minor comedic beat, not the film’s heart. Screen Rant praised Gunn’s understanding of Superman as a symbol of hope, not just power, rooted in his 1938 creation during a time of global turmoil.
As Monaco’s glamour sets the stage for F1 drama, Gunn’s Superman navigates its own high-stakes narrative. His dismissal of trolls as a minority, coupled with his focus on storytelling over online noise, signals confidence in a film that could redefine the DCU. Whether the trolling subplot lands as a clever nod or a divisive misstep, Gunn’s vision—rooted in compassion and unity—aims to let Superman fly above the fray, inspiring audiences in a polarized world.
