James Gunn Knows Zack Snyder Fans Are Coming For Superman, And I Applaud His Response To The ‘Opposing Force’

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12 years have passed since “Man of Steel” hit the screens, marking the beginning of the DC Extended Universe – an endeavor aimed at creating a shared cinematic universe based on DC Comics stories. Now, another Superman film is about to premier, paving the way for another shared continuity, with only a few weeks left until James Gunn’s “Superman” introduces many viewers to the DC Universe. However, this new chapter in the Superman saga has sparked a group of Zack Snyder fans who are unhappy that Snyder’s vision was not fully realized expressing their dissent. Here’s what James Gunn, who also shares management duties at DC Studios, had to say about this vocal opposition against the upcoming DC film.

Snyder, undeniably, directed movies like “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and his original concept for “Justice League” was presented in a four-hour version exclusively to Max subscribers after the Joss Whedon-led 2017 cinematic release. In an interview with Rolling Stone, James Gunn addressed the fact that some of Snyder’s supporters are criticizing Superman. This is what he had to say:

I’m struggling to find the right words. I’m fine with it, I think it’s good. I believe you wouldn’t want everyone cheering for you. Also, there’s an actor who scans everything on the internet. I won’t reveal his identity, but he’ll spot this piece and recognize himself. He’s one of the top five contenders for Superman, and he can get quite upset about what people say. I pointed out that when the trailer was released, 97-98% of reactions were positive. These supporters are beneficial because it’s not ideal if everything appears to be 100% favorable.

It seems James Gunn’s viewpoint might be that a diverse range of opinions about trailers or previews, even if some people disapprove, can spark interesting discussions and debates among fans. Conversely, if everyone shares the same opinion, it becomes repetitive to keep expressing the same views back and forth. Gunn is comfortable with not everyone being in agreement about Superman at this moment, but he did note that criticism can occasionally escalate beyond reasonable limits.

Occasionally, it’s normal to encounter opposing views. Sometimes, things can become quite extreme – I’ve come to expect that whenever a new idea or product emerges, regardless of how popular or well-received, there will always be something that sparks heated debate. For instance, the notion that sunlight hurt Superman was a topic of great debate.

The director is pointing out a scene from the April-released footage focused on Krypto’s version of Superman, namely Clark Kent/Kal-El. In this particular scene, four robots from the Fortress of Solitude hoist him up and transport him to a specific chair, where he receives an intense beam of yellow light. This action causes Superman to yell in discomfort, though it’s not because the sunlight is actually causing him pain. Instead, James Gunn confirmed that this scream was due to his bones being realigned.

The opportunity for Zack Snyder’s Justice League storyline to carry on has essentially passed, given the loose ends from his film version remain unaddressed. However, if Superman’s upcoming release on July 11 receives favorable reviews and enjoys success at the box office, it may encourage those die-hard Zack Snyder fans who have been resistant to watching the movie to eventually give it a chance.

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2025-06-16 23:07