James Gunn removes Tarantino-inspired chapter structure from Superman after test audiences responded with uncertainty, prompting a creative shift in the highly anticipated DCU reboot, set for release on July 11, 2025. The director and DC Studios co-chairman made notable last-minute changes to the film’s narrative style, focusing instead on a more linear approach for the debut of David Corenswet’s Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor.
Early Creative Experiments and a Shift in Direction
In the final editing stages of Superman (2025), James Gunn experimented with a bold narrative style that divided the film into chapters, marked by title cards in the vein of Quentin Tarantino’s renowned chapter-driven storytelling. This approach was intended to set Superman apart from earlier franchise entries such as Man of Steel and Superman Returns, with episodic segments and pacing reminiscent of Tarantino’s films like Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and The Hateful Eight.
The decision to include chapters was revealed by podcast hosts Jeff Sneider and John Rocha, who stated on The Hot Mic that Gunn’s script originally separated its story arc into days of the week. The idea evoked comparisons to the narrative countdown in David Fincher’s Se7en, as well as the literary structure Tarantino has brought to his filmography.
“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, The Hot Mic podcast
Tarantino’s Influence and Narrative Motivation
Tarantino’s signature storytelling technique, often featuring title cards and segmented chapters, allows filmmakers to exercise greater control over timelines, character arcs, and pacing. In previous interviews, Tarantino described his fascination with this approach:
“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, The New York Times
By carving films into novel-like chapters, the director can introduce tonal shifts, suspense, and thematic surprises, mirroring the evolving dynamics often found in comic books or graphic novels. This episodic foundation would have allowed Gunn to differentiate Superman’s plotlines, hop among various character perspectives, or even depict multiple timelines, all while maintaining viewer engagement.
Audience Feedback and Studio Response
Despite creative intentions, Gunn’s approach was ultimately dropped following unfavorable feedback from test audiences. Reports from The Hot Mic, corroborated by scooper Daniel Richtman, indicated that the segmented structure and title cards failed to resonate, leading Gunn and DC Studios to move toward a more conventional single-timeline format. Warner Bros. and DC Studios, anxious to avoid potential risks in their franchise cornerstone, made the call to prioritize straightforward storytelling for Superman’s return to the big screen.
This creative decision was not taken lightly; removing the chapter structure reportedly resulted in the film’s runtime being trimmed by up to 25 minutes compared to earlier versions. The importance of keeping the risk factor low for a reboot of this scale was a strong influence behind the shift, as the studio aimed to protect the reputation of one of its most iconic heroes.
On Facebook, James Gunn confirmed that the final edit has now been completed and all visual effects have been incorporated:
“Our last visual effect shot has been finished and dropped into Superman.”
—James Gunn, Director
Looking Ahead to Superman’s New Era
While some fans may be curious to see what the Tarantino-inspired structure might have brought to the DCU, the final cut promises a more familiar narrative, focusing on character development and cohesive storytelling. The creative journey of James Gunn, David Corenswet, and Nicholas Hoult, as well as entities like Warner Bros. and DC Studios, underscores the pressure of reinventing a beloved franchise for a new generation.
The move away from a segmented narrative may signal the studio’s readiness to balance innovation with audience expectations. As anticipation continues to mount for Superman’s release next summer, only time will tell whether this version satisfies both loyal fans and newcomers, or if interest in the abandoned creative risks will persist long after the film’s debut.
