Some SnyderVerse supporters may be trying to derail James Gunn’s Superman. But the DC Studios co-head is standing firm—and even handling the backlash with humor.
A Review Bomb Plot Against James Gunn’s Superman Emerges
In a now-deleted Reddit post, a user claiming to be a SnyderVerse supporter called on others to “stand up and fight for SnyderVerse on July 11,” the day James Gunn’s Superman releases in theaters. The post encouraged coordinated tactics to harm the film’s performance, including:
- Posting spoilers
- Downvoting the film on review aggregator sites
- Spreading negativity online
This effort was intended to protest Gunn’s reboot of the DC Universe, replacing Zack Snyder’s original cinematic vision.
When a Threads user shared the post’s screenshot with Gunn, the director quickly downplayed it:
“Lol, I think we’ll survive. I’m not sure the eight people that listen to that guy (I’m going to go out on a limb and guess it’s a guy) are going to impact the course of events.”
The reaction from Snyderverse supporters to James Gunn’s response clearly demonstrates that not all fans are toxic. Rather, it is a small subset of individuals with hostile mindsets who contribute to unnecessary negativity and disruption.
Real Fan or Fake Setup in James Gunn’s Superman Controversy
Some Snyder fans claim the Reddit post was a false flag. Specifically, they believe it may have been written by a Gunn supporter to make SnyderVerse fans appear toxic. However, there is no evidence to support this theory. In fact, the original poster’s account has already been deleted.
Still, the controversy continues to fuel online debate. In the end, no matter who wrote it, the situation has only added more noise around James Gunn’s Superman.
Gunn Says Some Hate Is Healthy
In a Rolling Stone interview, Gunn spoke more about online negativity and how it impacts both him and the cast:
“I think it’s good. I think you don’t wanna have everybody root for you,” he said.
He also revealed that one Superman actor—who he didn’t name—tends to take online criticism too seriously:
“I have an actor who reads everything online. I won’t say who it is, but he’ll read this article, and he’ll know who it is. It’s one of the top five in Superman. And this actor gets so upset over things that people say.”
To offer perspective, Gunn reminded the actor:
“First of all, you realize that the trailer came out and [reaction] was 97, 98 percent positive. These people help us, because you don’t want everything to seem 100 percent positive.”
Gunn emphasized that a little backlash is actually beneficial:
“It’s all right to have an opposing force every once in a while.”
However, he also warned against overconsuming online hate:
“There’s going to be something that people are upset about, and it’s OK. But you don’t have to watch their videos where they’re talking about how you’re awful. You can’t be reading it all the time. It’ll f—ing murder you. It’s a terrible thing to do to your soul.”
Toxicity Exists on Both Sides
This incident clearly highlights a deeper issue within the DC fandom: toxicity exists on both sides. While James Gunn has faced cyber attacks and online hate, he is not alone. In fact, Zack Snyder went through similar treatment during his time in the spotlight. Not only were his films harshly criticized, but people also, shockingly, mocked his late daughter. Moreover, such behavior crossed every line of decency. Therefore, it’s clear that this isn’t just about one director or one group of fans. Instead, it reflects a long-standing toxicity in the fandom—one that, without action, will only continue to grow.
What’s More Ironic? Snyder and Gunn Are Friends
Despite fan clashes, Zack Snyder and James Gunn share a mutual respect—and even a working history.
In fact, Snyder directed 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, which was written by Gunn. Despite their creative differences in the direction of the DC Universe, the two have continued to maintain communication and admiration for each other’s work.
Their friendly relationship makes the so-called rivalry between their fans even more ironic.
Gunn and Snyder Still Talk Superman
In an interview with Fandango, Gunn revealed he reached out to Snyder while designing Superman’s new suit:
“One of the biggest questions was, ‘Were we gonna have trunks, or were we gonna not have trunks?’ I talked to Zack Snyder, who was like, ‘I tried a billion different versions with the trunks, and at the end of the day, I tried it, but I just couldn’t get there.’ And I was feeling exactly the same way.”
“Theoretically, I liked the idea of trunks because it’s the Superman I grew up with.”
Eventually, Gunn and his team found a way to make the trunks work in the final design—blending tradition with modern visuals.
About James Gunn’s Superman Film
James Gunn’s Superman stars:
- David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
- Nicholas Hoult, Skyler Gisondo, Nathan Fillion, and others
James Gunn’s Superman will hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Gunn writes and directs the film, making it the first major theatrical release in DC Studios’ newly rebooted universe.
The story takes inspiration from All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. It features wild sci-fi elements like kaiju, robots, and monster babies. Yet, at its heart, the film focuses on the emotional bond between Clark and Lois.
Despite online efforts to review bomb the movie, James Gunn’s Superman remains on track—and continues to gain momentum. Gunn handles the backlash with humor and resilience. His camaraderie with Zack Snyder also sends a clear message. This Superman reboot isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about telling the best possible story for one of the world’s most iconic heroes.
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