James Gunn Confirms Which Superman Scenes Caused Controversy at DC Studios

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So, James Gunn – who’s directing and running DC Studios now – let slip that there were actually three scenes we all argued about a lot while making the movie. It’s always interesting to hear what goes on behind the scenes, and apparently, getting those scenes right wasn’t easy!

During an appearance on the *Happy, Sad, Confused* podcast with Josh Horowitz, James Gunn revealed that certain scenes in *Superman* sparked intense disagreements during editing. One example was a moment where Superman saves a squirrel. Gunn fought to keep the scene, despite significant pushback from some viewers who questioned why Superman would bother with such a small rescue. He explained that the squirrel was about to be hit by a falling tail and was undeniably cute. Gunn was surprised by the number of people who disliked the scene, even in a city like Los Angeles, noting that actor Michael Rooker is a squirrel hunter and eater. Ultimately, the squirrel scene became a major point of discussion during the film’s post-production.

Nathan Fillion’s performance quickly stood out, but a potentially offensive line almost didn’t make the final cut. His character, Gardner, initially called Superman a “wuss,” but it was heavily implied he used a much stronger, profane insult. According to a recent podcast, director James Gunn revealed the original line was a curse word, and the delivery got a big laugh from the team. Gardner originally said, “Don’t be such a p.” Superman protested, saying, “Hey! There are kids here!” and Gardner simply walked away. There was a significant debate about whether to keep the offensive word in the film.

A scene showing Eve Teschmacher and Jimmy Olsen reuniting after the battle almost didn’t make it into the final cut of *Superman*. Several versions were filmed before director James Gunn decided on the best one. Gunn also debated whether Jimmy should smile when Eve hugs him, calling this the biggest decision alongside another issue he referred to as the “P-word.” He intentionally filmed three different reactions from Jimmy: a simple smile, a blank stare, and an acceptance of his fate followed by a smile, recognizing Eve’s heroic role in saving the day. He wanted to explore different emotional responses to her actions.

Superman Will Return In Man Of Tomorrow

David Corenswet is returning as Superman in *Man of Tomorrow*, where he’ll unexpectedly team up with Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult) to face a mysterious new enemy. James Gunn will write and direct the film, which he describes as a story that focuses on both Superman and Lex Luthor. Fans are hoping the villain will be Brainiac, marking his first appearance in the new DC Universe. *Man of Tomorrow* is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027. Before that, Gunn’s DC Universe will launch its first phase, *Gods and Monsters*, with *Supergirl* and *Clayface* both coming out in 2026.

Superman is streaming on HBO Max.

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2025-10-18 16:41