The first trailer for James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman landed with a big and exciting reception last week, earning widespread praise for its classic tone and inspiring vibe.
However, recent test screenings have reportedly raised concerns, as shared on The Hot Mic podcast by insiders Jeff Sneider and John Rocha.
Sneider, citing a source with connections to multiple viewers of the film, explained:
“The buzz is not good. I’m hearing bad things. I’m hearing ‘you should be worried’ things. It sounds like James Gunn is aware of some of the feedback.”
While reshoots are often a normal part of the filmmaking process, Sneider suggests these are more substantial than Gunn has publicly admitted.
Gunn himself has referred to the upcoming shoots as “pickup shots” rather than full-on reshoots, stating, “No scenes. No reshoots.” Despite this, a source from the editing world reportedly told Sneider there are “plenty of reasons to be nervous.”
Rocha provided additional context, offering a mixed assessment based on feedback from someone who has seen the film:
“[It has] the tone of the first Captain America movie and the Mummy films. They said Nicholas Hoult is the standout and the film is ‘decent,’ but a large chunk of the film was unfinished, with only a third of the VFX done.”
This tone is a notable shift for Gunn, who is typically known for his humor-laden approach. Rocha highlighted that while Superman: Legacy has “the least amount of humor of any Gunn film,” there’s still humor throughout. He added:
“Most people will be satisfied with the movie, and it should be received well enough to continue Gunn’s DCU.”
The inclusion of Supergirl, which Rocha confirmed, is one of the more intriguing tidbits from the screening feedback.
Sneider goes on to point out that many successful films including the blockbuster Barbie endured early negative buzz following test screenings. The purpose of these screenings is to identify issues and course-correct before the final product hits theaters.
It’s also worth noting that feedback from test screenings can vary widely. While some viewers may have reservations, others might have loved the film.
With Superman: Legacy slated to hit theaters on July 11, 2025, there’s still plenty of time for Gunn to address any concerns and deliver a film that resonates with audiences.
For now, we can hope the Man of Steel’s return to the big screen is going to be an awesome experience! I’m still excited about the movie!
