James Gunn’s original Superman chapter-based film structure has been scrapped in favor of a more conventional approach, with Warner Bros. and DC Studios opting for a streamlined narrative following negative test audience feedback. Gunn, currently the co-chairman and co-chief executive officer of DC Studios, made this decision just weeks before the movie was finalized, with filming for Superman (2025) starring David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult already completed.
Initial Concept: A Bold, Chapter-Driven Narrative
As Superman neared its July 2025 release date, James Gunn, known for his previous success with Guardians of the Galaxy, was reportedly revising the film’s structure up to the last minute. One major element that was cut from the final edit was a chapter-based storytelling approach inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s signature style. The original plan involved dividing the movie into separate segments marked by title cards, each potentially labeled with the days of the week, hinting at a narrative countdown reminiscent of films like Man of Steel or Superman Returns, but with a fresh twist.
This creative format was discussed during an episode of The Hot Mic podcast, where host Jeff Sneider shared,
“With Superman, specifically, I believe there was a days-of-the-week thing. So, it would start with, you know, Monday. Just like Se7en did. I’m told that’s gone.”
—Jeff Sneider, Podcast Host
The approach echoed techniques seen in Quentin Tarantino’s films such as Reservoir Dogs, The Hateful Eight, and Kill Bill, where episodes and title cards are used to introduce characters, segment the plot, and manage pacing. Tarantino’s style, as he told The New York Times, is rooted in a novelist’s mindset:
“I got the idea of doing something that novelists get a chance to do but filmmakers don’t: telling three separate stories, having characters float in and out with different weights depending on the story.”
—Quentin Tarantino, Director
How the Chapter Approach Shaped the Film’s Direction
Dividing the story into digestible chapters would have given Gunn greater creative control, allowing for shifts in tone, rapid changes in pacing, and suspenseful transitions. Each chapter could have built tension, offered moments of calm, or teased plot twists through carefully crafted title cards, much in the same way a reader flips through the pages of a novel, always eager for what comes next.
Fans and industry insiders believed that this technique might have been Gunn’s way to emulate the episodic nature found in comic books or graphic novels, potentially differentiating the arcs of key characters such as the new Man of Steel, Lex Luthor, and others. The structure could also have allowed the narrative to jump between timelines or worlds, reminiscent of how Tarantino organizes his overlapping stories. However, despite the creative possibilities, this experimental format ultimately did not survive the test screenings.
Test Audience Feedback Triggers Major Changes
The Hot Mic podcast as well as sources like scooper Daniel Richtman reported that audience reactions to the chapter-based presentation were less than favorable. Facing these negative responses—and given Superman’s status as their flagship hero—Warner Bros. and DC Studios collectively decided to play it safe and avoid taking any risks that might distract or alienate viewers. This adjustment led Gunn to drop the title card structure and trim roughly 25 minutes from the film’s earlier cut in the process.
Finalizing a More Traditional Superman Movie
James Gunn confirmed via Facebook that work on the visual effects is now finished:
“Our last visual effect shot has been finished and dropped into Superman.”
—James Gunn, Co-chairman and Co-chief executive officer, DC Studios
The final version of Superman now features a straightforward, linear timeline, in contrast to Gunn’s earlier vision. While the stylized, Tarantino-inspired format might have given audiences a unique look at Superman’s world, the safer, classic approach prevailed in the end. Although some hope for a future release showcasing Gunn’s cut, the current narrative direction reflects DC’s cautious optimism for the Superman reboot and the continued effort to broaden its appeal across global audiences.
Broader Implications for DCU and Fans
With the DCU’s highly anticipated reboot arriving in July 2025, all eyes are on the new Superman and the creative strategies behind the project. The decision to abandon the chapter-based format signals a renewed commitment to traditional storytelling, ensuring clarity for viewers and keeping the focus on iconic characters such as David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. As the studio pushes forward, fans are left to wonder how alternative storytelling approaches might shape future installments in the DC Universe—and whether any deleted chapters or experimental cuts will ever come to light.
