James Gunn has denied rumors that early test screenings of Superman received poor reactions. He stated that such claims are completely false, as no one had seen the film before his statement; meanwhile, the first director's cut was completed a month ahead of schedule.
Gunn revealed that he would hand over the first director's cut to DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran on the day of his statement, making Safran the first person to view the film. This version has reached a stage suitable for internal viewing by partners, but it does not represent the final cut of the film.
The visual effects are likely still incomplete, and editing may continue to be adjusted. Gunn referred to it as the "first" director's cut, indicating that revisions are part of the normal production process. For reference, the 2025 release of Superman was only fully completed about five weeks before its premiere, so the current progress does not mean Superman will be released early.
Gunn previously stated that the theatrical version of his film is the director-approved cut, with no extended director's cut hidden away on a hard drive. Superman is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.