James Gunn’s Superman Final Cut Due This Week — Will It Fly?

Hollywood’s track record with Superman is spotty. At Worth It or Woke, we’re rooting for a Man of Steel who honors his Kansas roots and skips the woke garbage. James Gunn’s Superman, set for July 11, 2025, is almost here, and reports are trickling in about its final shape. I liked Guardians of the Galaxy—it had laughs—but its goofy humor doesn’t belong in Metropolis. Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel had moments, and Henry Cavill was a strong pick, but the dark vibe and sloppy Zod fight missed Superman’s hopeful core. Here’s the latest on Gunn’s take, straight from the trades, as we hope for a film that soars.

Gunn’s final cut is due this week, per ComicBookMovie, with Warner Bros. execs like Mike DeLuca calling it “epic and visually arresting” with “tons of heart and humor” that feels like classic Superman. Forbes backs this, citing sources who say the film is “good,” with polished visuals despite some unfinished effects. The cast—David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner—has insiders buzzing. Clips from the December trailer and April’s CinemaCon sneak peek showcase vibrant action and comic-book flair, suggesting a hopeful tone that could align with Superman’s Kansas-bred values.

But it hasn’t been smooth sailing. Bounding Into Comics and MXDWN report test screenings got “mixed” reactions, with Gunn’s humor—think Guardians-style gags like Star-Lord’s middle finger—rubbing some viewers the wrong way. Warner Bros. responded with big changes: a new editor, a second composer to tweak the score, and a 20-30 minute cut, bringing the runtime to just over two hours, per World of Reel. That makes it shorter than Man of Steel’s 143 minutes, second only to Superman IV’s 90-minute run. Gunn debunked an exact 122-minute rumor on Threads, saying effects and editing are ongoing, but didn’t confirm a final length. A final test screening is set for this week, with hopes the tweaks pay off.

Not all buzz is rosy. Newsweek notes conflicting reports, with some insiders praising the film’s heart, while others, like Jeff Sneider, called an early cut “terrible” and a “mess.” X posts have fueled “sky-is-falling” panic, comparing it to Fant4stic, though ComicBookMovie says these are overblown, citing sources who see progress after reshoots. Gunn admitted to minor pickup shots in Los Angeles, a shift from his usual anti-reshoot stance, showing he’s listening to feedback. Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav and DC Studios’ Peter Safran are reportedly scrutinizing every frame to avoid a flop, given the film’s $300 million budget.

Snyder’s Man of Steel showed how to miss the mark. Cavill was great, and the visuals popped, but the Nolan-esque gloom didn’t suit Superman’s hopeful soul. The Zod fight flubbed hard—Superman didn’t even try to move the battle from Metropolis’s core. Gunn’s challenge is making Superman a protector first, with humor that’s playful, not childish, and no woke preaching. Our readers want a fun, compelling film that honors Clark’s conservative roots—duty, not guilt—or at least one that skips progressive agendas. If superhero fatigue is real, a great Superman could smash through.

Will Gunn deliver? If he keeps the action big and values straight, our Woke-O-Meter might light up green. If it’s a quippy or preachy mess, not so much. Drop your take in the comments: you hyped or bracing for a bust?