As anticipation builds for James Gunn’s highly awaited Superman movie, recent reports about the film’s test screenings have stirred up quite the buzz in Hollywood. However, conflicting narratives from various sources have left fans wondering what’s really going on behind the scenes.

The first hint of controversy came from The Hollywood Reporter on December 6th. The outlet claimed that Gunn had conducted an exclusive test screening of Superman for a group consisting mostly of close associates and people connected to the production. While details were sparse, the report alluded to “whispers” about the film’s quality.

The exact nature of these whispers remains a mystery, with the publication refusing to elaborate further. Still, it was enough to ignite speculation online, especially as fans eagerly await more updates on DC Studios’ flagship project.

Veteran Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider added more fuel to the fire with two explosive claims.

On December 21st, Sneider revealed via Twitter that a “rock-solid source” informed him of a test screening at Warner Bros. that allegedly left executives worried. Describing the film as “a bit of a mess,” Sneider’s comments hinted at potential trouble for Gunn’s ambitious vision.

A week later, on December 28th, Sneider elaborated on The Hot Mic Podcast, asserting that there had been multiple test screenings. He claimed to have spoken with a source who described the buzz around the movie as negative. According to Sneider, audiences should brace themselves for disappointment, and he emphasized that Gunn was “fully aware” of the mixed responses.

On the same Hot Mic Podcast episode, host John Rocha weighed in with additional insight. Rocha stated that a contact of his who had seen the film described its tone as reminiscent of Captain America: The First Avenger and the The Mummy franchise. While this comparison may seem promising, it only added to the growing uncertainty surrounding the project.

Not all reports were negative, though. On December 28th, ComicBookMovie offered a different perspective, claiming to have spoken with several individuals who attended the same test screening. Their sources described Superman as a high-quality production comparable to Gunn’s widely acclaimed Guardians of the Galaxy movies.

This contrasting feedback provided a glimmer of hope for fans, suggesting that perhaps the negativity was overstated or that different viewers perceived the film differently.

Adding yet another twist to the saga, Matias Lertora, a journalist for Cine Argentinos, dismissed the claims entirely on December 29th. Lertora asserted that no test screenings of Superman had taken place within the week following the teaser trailer’s release on December 20th.

If Lertora’s statement holds, it raises questions about the validity of earlier reports. Were the rumored screenings fabricated, or is there simply a misunderstanding about their timing?

The conflicting accounts surrounding Gunn’s Superman leave fans with more questions than answers. On one hand, rumors of troubled screenings and executive concerns hint at potential issues for the film. On the other, glowing comparisons to beloved Marvel movies suggest that the project is on the right track.

Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Test screenings are often a mixed bag, with filmmakers using feedback to refine their projects. Gunn, who has a reputation for addressing criticism head-on, may use these early reactions to polish Superman before its official release.

Interestingly, James Gunn has remained largely quiet amidst the swirling rumors. Known for his candidness on social media, Gunn has not directly addressed the test screening reports, leaving fans to speculate on their credibility.

As of now, the fate of Gunn’s Superman remains uncertain. With such wildly divergent reports, the only thing fans can do is wait for official updates or, better yet, the film’s eventual release.

Whether the whispers of a “messy” production are overblown or the glowing comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy are accurate, one thing is clear: Superman is already one of the most talked-about films in DC history, and its journey to the big screen is far from ordinary.

What is going on, indeed?