James Gunn nearly included a deeply disturbing deleted scene in his Superman film, showing Lex Luthor’s brutal exercise of power in a way that proved too intense for audiences. The controversial moment involving Lex forcing the president to soak up spilled blood was ultimately cut before test screenings, reflecting Gunn’s decision to preserve the movie’s hopeful tone.
The Dark Origins of a Chilling Deleted Superman Moment
While the final version of James Gunn’s Superman maintains a balance of lightheartedness and heroism, the film’s development saw darker ideas that almost made it to the screen. In an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gunn shared details about a deleted scene following the execution of Malik Ali, a falafel vendor in Metropolis, who was killed by Lex Luthor. Beyond the shocking act itself, the scene portrayed a harrowing power play involving the forced humiliation of Boravian president Vasil Ghurkos.
After Lex shoots Malik, blood pours onto the platform; Lex notices it nearing his shoes and reacts with disdain. Gunn described how Lex then compelled President Ghurkos to lie down and soak up the blood, adding a grim, unsettling layer of cruelty.
The delivery is great because [Lex] just looks at [Ghurkos] straight and he’s like, ‘No?’ And then Ghurkos just sheepishly, like, sadly trudges forward and lays down on his back, and he’s so funny. He lays down on his back and then just starts [Gunn moves his torso left and right] and soaking up the blood and then Nick looks over at Superman and says ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’ And then they drive away.
—James Gunn, Director
Though the scene featured dark humor, Gunn recognized the disturbing nature of the moment. He ultimately decided it conflicted too much with the hopeful spirit he intended for the film, opting to omit the scene entirely.
Grim Execution and the Limits of Lex Luthor’s Villainy
The film’s treatment of Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, already explores a chilling version of villainy, with the character demonstrating cold and calculating behavior. Lex’s method of imprisoning people in small glass cubes within a pocket dimension, his execution of Malik Ali, and the kidnapping of Superman’s dog, Krypto, establish him as a merciless antagonist.
Gunn explained that the execution scene itself was filmed using an extreme wide shot to avoid overt graphic detail, focusing instead on the weight of the moment. Lex’s dispassionate reaction to the blood on his shoes adds to his unnerving personality.
[Lex shooting Malik in the head was] always done in this extreme wide so it’s not too graphic. The guy fell on the ground and blood is pouring out onto the platform and Lex looks down and he sees that the blood is about to get on his shoes and he’s like, ‘Oh my god, my shoes.’
—James Gunn, Director
Despite the scene’s restraint, the deleted follow-up with Ghurkos soaking up blood escalated Lex’s cruelty to a level that almost transformed his character from a brilliant but sinister villain into something truly nightmarish. This shift would have changed the tone of the entire film, pushing it toward a far darker narrative than the one ultimately presented.
Why James Gunn Chose to Pull Back on the Darkness
Gunn admitted to his internal conflict about this scene, acknowledging the disturbing nature within the material.
There’s a really dark thing in there. There was a really dark thing. Once I saw the movie, I’m like, ‘This is [too dark].’
—James Gunn, Director
Recognizing that the scene risked alienating audiences with its intense imagery and dark themes, Gunn wisely chose to cut it. This decision preserved the story’s balance, allowing Superman to remain a hopeful and charming hero while still showcasing a terrifyingly cold Lex Luthor. This careful calibration maintained the film’s accessibility without sacrificing the villain’s menace.
Had Gunn included the blood-soaked scene, the film may have strayed into unsettling territory more reminiscent of horror than superhero cinema. His restraint ensured the villain remained sinister but not grotesquely psychotic, preserving the comic book tone fans expect.
The Impact of the Deleted Scene on Superman’s Portrayal
James Gunn’s cut ultimately shaped the film’s emotional and narrative arc, offering a version of Lex Luthor that embodies menace through quiet power and humiliating control, rather than overt brutality. This interpretation fits the character’s comic book roots while still delivering moments of genuine fear.
The choice to exclude such a severe scene illustrates the delicate balance filmmakers face between exploring villainous depths and maintaining audience engagement. Gunn’s decision to pull back flesh that darkness meant the overall tone of the film retained its hopeful spirit, crucial for a contemporary superhero story aiming to inspire rather than overwhelm viewers.
With the movie currently playing in theaters worldwide, fans can appreciate the fascinating glimpse behind the scenes into how the story was shaped, and how close it came to veering into much darker territory.
