James Gunn’sSupermanis all about being kind. As theDCUcreative leader has said in many interviews aboutthe latest box office success, the reintroduction of the Man of Steel has a laser focus on the importance of love and kindness, especially in the characterization of Gunn’s version of the caped superhero. However, the director recently revealed to Rolling Stonethat the most character-defining and classically Superman scene was almost cut due to negative reception at test screenings. While some audiences and even crew members might have found the scene needless and dumb, Superman fans, including Gunn, adore the scene and will be shocked to hear it was ever cut out of the film.
TheGuardians of the Galaxydirector has proven that his storytelling instincts are top-notch. While Gunn did decide to cut amuch darker introductionto the film’s first furry friend, the director stuck to his guns when confronted by negative feedback from test audiences, and some of his film crew, on a very short, but integral scene inSuperman. When interviewer Brian Hiatt commented on how key Superman’s rescue of the squirrel mid-battle was, Gunn revealed how hotly contested the heartwarming moment was:
“Yeah, although it was probably the second- or third-most hotly debated moment in the movie. Because we showed it to test audiences and some people did not like the squirrel. They’re like, ‘Why the fuck is he saving a squirrel? Why is he taking time out, saving a squirrel?’ There was a cut where I cut it out and I’m like, ‘I really miss the squirrel. He’s gotta save the squirrel.’ In addition, there were also some geographic problems with where he ended up if I didn’t have him fly over with the squirrel. So I put the squirrel back in despite the protestations of some of my people on my crew.”
James Gunn Reveals Which Beloved DC Character Helped Him “Crack” ‘Superman’
The writer and director of ‘Superman’ discovered that one DC character provided a surprising entry point into the story of his film.
Keeping the squirrel rescue proved to be a movie-defining choice, as it is one of the moments in the film that reminded fans most of the classic, comically-kind Superman they love. This is just another example of how well Gunn knows what fans want to see from aSupermanfilm.
James Gunn Notices What Audiences Love About ‘Superman’
DC fans can almost certainly expect to be surprised by James Gunn’s next DCU film, but is the director taking to heart any positive feedback on his latest hit?Supermanaudiences have been raving about Mr. Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi, and Krypto specifically. When asked about whether audience reception will inform his directorial decisions in future projects, Gunn revealed that he indeed notices what fans love aboutSuperman.
“I think people likeSupermanbecause it’s unexpected in certain respects, and I think that what we do next is gonna be unexpected. I just follow that. Listen, do I notice that people love Mr. Terrific and they love Krypto? Yes. I notice those things.”
Fans know by now that the cheeky director isn’t going to reveal his plans that easily. But they also can’t help but be excited by Gunn’s acknowledgement of what they hope to see more of. Will that translate into seeing more of Mr. Terrific and Krypto? Only time will tell.
Source:Rolling Stone
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.' rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill’s departure from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”
