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Gunn vs. Gillespie: Inside Supergirl's Flawed Cut
4 Jul
Summary
- Studio created its own cut after test scores remained in the 60s.
- Gillespie's cut was longer, fleshing out the villain Krem.
- The film's production was marked by clashes between Gunn and Gillespie.
The anticipated Supergirl film experienced a chaotic production, culminating in a significant box office failure projected to lose $125 million. Creative disagreements between director Craig Gillespie and DCU overseer James Gunn plagued the project for months.
Warner Bros. demonstrated a lack of faith in Gillespie's vision, evidenced by multiple test screenings that yielded scores primarily in the 60s and low 70s. This uncertainty led the studio to produce its own version of the film.
The studio's cut was tested against Gillespie's, with the former scoring two points higher, despite overall scores remaining mixed. This studio-controlled version ultimately reached theaters.
Gillespie's original cut was 11 minutes longer and provided more development for the antagonist, Krem. Creative differences also extended to music choices, with Gunn favoring a Cyndi Lauper cover and Gillespie possibly opting for a Jimmy Eat World track.
Ultimately, the film's failure is attributed to conflicting creative directions and Warner Bros.' intervention, resulting in a movie that failed to capture the charm or humor expected from a Gunn-associated project.
