James Gunn’s Superman Slammed as ‘Terrible’ - Now Facing Reshoots & Marketing Overhaul

That recent DCU press event held by James Gunn may have backfired. Gunn really gave no updates, and the news that he did give tended to be on the negative side. Projects seemed to have been sidelined, and everything about Batman seems to be big mess. What was even the point of holding the news conference?

Now, it’s being said that Gunn’s Superman movie is “terrible.” Before the Superman trailer was released, reports suggested that Warner Bros. executives weren’t happy with it. The trailer itself wasn’t that well received, the first “Icon” TV spot has been criticized for David Corenswet’s look, and the Puppy Bowl promotion ended up being a huge disappointment.

Gunn also seems to be making the DCU all about himself. He inserted himself into the opening of Creature Commandos, his dog is featured in Superman, and both he and his dog appeared during the Puppy Bowl. Gunn also showed up in the NBA spot and is even on the cover of a DC Comics Superman comic book. Well, where are the actual stars?

Gunn may have also landed himself in hot water with fellow filmmakers due to his habit of regularly responding to fans on social media. He has commented on Matt Reeves’ Batman multiple times and has also spoken about Andy Muschietti, who is supposed to direct Brave and the Bold—though that now seems uncertain. At the recent press event, Gunn even stated that Muschietti isn’t involved in the creative process, while he himself is working with a writer he refused to name. Other studio heads don’t engage on social media like this. You don’t see Kevin Feige constantly replying to fans about Marvel’s internal workings.

Superman is “terrible”

The claims that Superman is “terrible” come from Jeff Sneider on a recent episode of The Hot Mic with John Rocha, where the two discussed the DCU press event. Sneider explained that he had recently published a newsletter reporting that he had heard good things about Superman. However, after publishing it, he says he was contacted by his “best” source, who told him the film is actually terrible:

“I got a call from my best source after that newsletter. He said, ‘Great newsletter tonight. You got one thing wrong. And that’s about Superman which I continue to hear is ‘terrible.'”

Sneider didn’t go into specific details, but insinuated he knows more. Sneider also wasn’t happy how Gunn shot down his Daniel Radcliffe Clayface info and says he doesn’t think Gunn is being genuine.

DC Studios now has a consultant

In what may be no coincidence, with reports that Superman may be in trouble and that Gunn’ recent press event didn’t go as well as planned, it’s learned Warner Bros. Discovery has hired seasoned marketing veteran Ricky Strauss to consult for DC Studios on Superman.

The news comes via The Wrap. Ricky Strauss is a 30-year industry veteran who recently was the head of marketing at Apple TV+ for 16 months. Strauss also worked at Disney and led marketing campaigns for Star Wars and Marvel projects.

DC Studios co-head Peter Safran said at the press event, “We are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring that audiences know about and experience our film.”

Recall how well the marketing went for Barbie. However, in a major shakeup, WBD let go of marketing chief Josh Goldstine who was behind the marketing of the film which led to its nearly $1.5 billion box office. Ricky Strauss now comes in for Superman.

Superman reshoots

Previously Gunn said he wasn’t going to do Superman reshoots, just that he was doing pick up shots in Los Angeles.

However, now it appears as if Gunn is doing full reshoots as it is reported he will be back in Atlanta. It’s also possible the reshoots may have come about due to recent test screenings.

Gunn said at the press event:

“We’ve done real screenings. Definitely learning stuff all the time, definitely editing and making little changes. You know, we might shoot a couple little, tiny things. All my additional photography is so hard, because it’s like, I used to be kind of against it. Because, you know, you don’t want to have to shoot again. It’s a pain in the ass.”

“I really [like] being able to say, ‘You know what? I wish I had a shot that fist hitting that…’ And so I tend to go back and pick that kind of stuff up. So it wouldn’t be anything major, but those kinds of things, yeah, I’ll cover you a couple more things like that.”