James Gunn Debunks Controversial Superman Rumor (But What’s the Truth?)

Director James Gunn, known for Superman, has dispelled recent rumors regarding the movie’s runtime. In response to a fan’s query on Threads about headlines suggesting that Superman is 122 minutes long (2 hours, 2 minutes), Gunn clarified that this is not the film’s definitive running time. He explained that there are still some visual effects shots left to complete before the final version of the movie is ready for release. These remaining VFX shots are expected to be finished over the upcoming weekend, indicating that Superman will soon be ready for its theatrical debut.

When inquired about the runtime of Superman, Gunn clarified, ‘That’s incorrect.’ He explained that the film is nearly finalized with only a few Visual Effects (VFX) shots left to complete over the weekend. However, the current running time isn’t what was mentioned.

Discussions about when Superman might run began earlier this week, sparked by whispers that international distributors had already received the information before tickets went on sale. If true, this run time would be significant as it would make James Gunn’s reboot the shortest Superman film in nearly 40 years, with Superman IV: The Quest for Peace being just 90 minutes long.

Warner Bros., with high anticipation, has been intensely promoting “Superman” as their inaugural film in the DC Universe series. Recently, they released an official trailer showcasing some of the movie’s main themes and hinting at intense action scenes. With the success of “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners” over the spring box office, Warner Bros. is particularly enthusiastic about “Superman”, which they consider a crucial release for them this year.

The reported duration of the upcoming Superman film has sparked curiosity, given the movie’s extensive plotlines. As the initial entry into the DC Universe for many cinema-goers (with exceptions being those who watched Creature Commandos on Max), Superman will be instrumental in laying groundwork for the shared universe. The main character, Superman himself, is only one of several superheroes featured in this film, with some of these other characters slated to reappear in future DC Universe productions (such as Peacemaker in its second season). While a lot can be achieved within a two-hour timespan (as demonstrated by Gunn’s work on Guardians of the Galaxy), it could be argued that Superman might benefit from a bit more time to effectively introduce all its crucial aspects. We’ll see what the actual runtime turns out to be.

It’s quite unexpected if Superman turns out to be shorter than what the rumors suggested. While Gunn is opting for a fresh take on Superman’s origin story and diving straight into action, the movie still needs to familiarize audiences with an entirely new universe and various interpretations of iconic characters. A film running under two hours might skimp on certain aspects, but an extended runtime also poses challenges. Essentially, the success of the film hinges on how effectively it’s structured and paced as a story. Given Gunn’s track record with bringing comic book adaptations to life, we can hope that Superman will continue his trend of excellence.

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2025-05-28 23:42