Superman Fans Want the Movie’s Original Cut to Be Restored (Are They Right?)

In simpler terms, creating blockbuster movies involves a huge amount of money and carries significant financial risk for studios. If a movie doesn’t perform well at the box office, it could mean big losses for the studio. To minimize this risk, they often conduct test screenings with audience feedback to help improve the film before its official release. However, these changes can sometimes stir controversy, as demonstrated by James Gunn’s Superman where a particular creative decision was altered based on audience feedback, which some fans now want reconsidered.

In the movie adaptation of Superman, the storyline spans one week, which was clearly indicated in the original cut. However, Gunn’s initial edit used title cards marking the days of the week, dividing the film into chapters. This method didn’t sit well with early viewers, causing it to be omitted from the final release. A fan edit by Danny Reguinho, called “Superman: Chaptered,” has been spreading rapidly on social media, reinstating these title cards in crucial scenes. This has sparked a discussion among fans who think that the original audience tests may have been incorrect. On the r/DC_Cinematic subreddit, a thread titled “Disagreeing with the test audiences about the removal of these” serves as a platform for supporters of the initial creative vision to voice their opinions.

The conversation revealed a significant difference in views. User hsholmes0 expressed their annoyance humorously, saying, “I bet they chose these test audiences from Lex Luthor’s alternate dimension.” On the other hand, some viewers supported the studio’s move. User micahbevans88 stated, “I’m glad they’re gone,” and added, “I prefer timelines to be mysterious unless it’s essential for the storyline.

The main point in favor of the title cards was effectively made by user Infamous-Lab-8136, who suggested that it was necessary to highlight the fact that this was not a full week, given that in this universe, Metropolis can encounter enemies like a foe who defeats Superman on Monday, a kaiju on Tuesday, and still have an interdimensional threat approaching by Tuesday night. This underscores the idea that this universe is extremely active with both heroes and supervillains becoming commonplace. Fans also appreciated another instance where Gunn disregarded test audience feedback by retaining a scene where Superman saves a squirrel, which has since become a beloved moment among fans.

Superman Is a Massive Hit for DC Studios

Despite the ongoing discussions about its final version, the movie titled “Superman” has undeniably been a resounding victory for DC Studios. The film was warmly received by critics, garnering an impressive 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This positive critical reception led to commercial success, with the film swiftly claiming the title of the highest-grossing superhero movie of 2025. In addition, “Superman” has soared at the box office, amassing over $600 million globally and setting a new record for domestic earnings among DC films, surpassing those of movies like “Aquaman” and “Man of Steel.” This achievement also positions it as the highest-grossing Superman film in the U.S. market to date.

In the role as the premier film for the freshly introduced DCU, “Superman” bore a heavy burden, tasked with establishing the tone and demonstrating the feasibility of Gunn and Safran’s novel vision following a string of lackluster productions from the previous DC era. The studio was in dire need of a triumphant comeback to revive audience trust and generate excitement for their grand multi-platform narrative, titled “Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.” The success of “Superman” has successfully achieved that objective. With a solid basis now established, DC Studios can confidently proceed with its array of forthcoming projects, such as “Supergirl” and “Clayface,” secure in the knowledge that the audience is supportive of the new direction.

Superman is available in theaters and on home release.

How do you feel about test screenings impacting the ultimate version of a film, and was it a good decision to preserve the Superman title cards as part of the final product?

In this paraphrased sentence, I’ve used “impact” instead of “influencing,” which is a more conversational way to express the idea. Additionally, I’ve added “part of the final product” after “Superman title cards” to make it clear that we are referring to the title cards in the context of the finished movie. This change should help make the sentence easier to read and understand for a general audience.

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2025-08-26 12:10