Superman Trailer: WB ‘Not Happy’

What is thought to be a couple of weeks before the big Superman trailer release, it’s claimed that Warner Bros. brass isn’t happy.

I know the trailer has been being worked on since at least July. My own insiders filled me in that Gunn’s Superman script is really good and is solid. They also said the first footage looks really good.

It’s also known that James Gunn, himself, has been putting the finishing touches on the Superman trailer. Gunn responded to fans last month that he “worked on it this weekend” and confirmed it wasn’t finished.

It’s thought the Superman trailer release will be later in December with the release of Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King which gets released the weekend before Christmas on December 20, 2024.

It’s doubted the trailer will be released next week at Brazil’s big CCXP convention. Gunn has said he won’t be there. Now I have to question is it because of problems with the Superman trailer?

What is said about James Gunn’s Superman trailer?

Writer and filmmaker Dan Marcus, known for his work on smaller projects according to IMDb, claims that Warner Bros. is reportedly not happy with the Superman trailer and wants it to be made better.

“I’m really excited for the SUPERMAN trailer. From everything I’ve heard, there is enormous pressure internally from inside Warner Bros. for the trailer to be received well. Apparently the studio asked for multiple different cuts of the trailer to find the best version,” he tweeted.

Marcus continued, “To clarify, since every trailer necessitates multiple cuts, apparently the editor cutting the trailer presented a fairly finalized version to the studio weeks ago. The studio wasn’t happy and said ‘Make it better’. I wouldn’t want to be a part of the marketing department over there right now, which was recently gutted.”

Update: Marcus added in another tweet, “I don’t think WB is interfering, but while DC Studios is definitely its own entity it doesn’t have a marketing branch. That still belongs with Warner Bros., which oversees the marketing of all its films. Again, this is just what I’ve heard. Just because WB wasn’t happy with the initial cut doesn’t mean they are interfering. This is how trailers for big tentpole films and even smaller studio films are made.”

To clarify, since every trailer necessitates multiple cuts, apparently the editor cutting the trailer presented a fairly finalized version to the studio weeks ago. The studio wasn't happy and said "Make it better". I wouldn't want to be a part of the marketing department over…

— Dan Marcus (@Danimalish) November 27, 2024

I don’t think WB is interfering, but while DC Studios is definitely its own entity it doesn’t have a marketing branch. That still belongs with Warner Bros., which oversees the marketing of all its films. Again, this is just what I’ve heard. Just because WB wasn’t happy with the…

— Dan Marcus (@Danimalish) November 27, 2024

Update: James Gunn responds on Threads: “Well sort of. But when he says ‘studio’ that’s solely me, as the only studio involved in cutting or anything to do with the trailer is DC Studios i.e. me & Peter (& I’m the creatively demanding one). This is the exact same rigorous process I’ve gone through cutting every Guardians trailer, pushing the marketing folks as hard as I can, cutting & recutting until I think we have something worthy of the film itself. All that said, my notes are a lot more specific than ‘make it better.’”

Update #2: Gunn also responded a second time: “Already responded. No, nor could it be: marketing answers only to me and Peter.”

An editor has been working on the Superman trailer

While I can’t verify Marcus’ info, I can verify that an editor has been working on the Superman trailer.

Typically what happens with trailers is that the director doesn’t put it together himself but the studio hires someone to do it. That’s why Ridley Scott’s first trailer for Gladiator II was so bad, but then they fixed it (as I previously pointed out).

So it’s my understanding that with the Superman trailer, it’s the same editor(s) that worked on the Marvel trailers released at last summer’s Comic-Con.

Update: James Gunn confirms editors: “Of course. I direct an incredibly talented team of people who cut the trailers.”

Update: A trailer editor chimed in on X and said multiple cuts of a trailer is normal: “Should note: literally every movie has multiple different cuts of trailers made. Dozens of completely different trailers & each of those go through dozens of revisions, if not more. I’ve only ever finished a trailer at v1 once in my career. Not uncommon to go up to v40’s or more.”

Yup! You are absolutely correct. I clarified what I heard a bit more in my second tweet. I can totally get why my first tweet is just stating the obvious, haha.

— Dan Marcus (@Danimalish) November 27, 2024

Is James Gunn on top of things?

So apparently, according to what is said above, WB sounds nervous about the Superman trailer release as it launches the DCU. It also follows the Zack Snyder DCEU. It sounds like WB requested different cuts of the trailer. Whether they are really not happy, I don’t know. James Gunn seems to be on top of things, so I would be surprised by the news. Hopefully, Gunn can clear things up when asked by fans on Threads.

However, worth a mention is that the set images and video weren’t all that favorably received by fans, just like that first-look image of David Corenswet. The set images and video showed Corenswet’s suit looking really frumpy and not fitting all that great. It was assumed Gunn would be able to fix that in post-production and by shooting at various angles. Maybe not?

Full look at David Corenswet’s Superman suit and it’s PERFECTION pic.twitter.com/U9xxp0TvVx

— sabrina 🦇 (@nightwaynes) June 24, 2024

New set photos of David Corenswet as Superman

📸: @clevelanddotcom pic.twitter.com/XBDtgjIkar

— DCU PRIME TV (@DCUPRIMETV) July 4, 2024

Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.