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Was Superman almost too dark? A Superman star reveals one controversial scene ended up cut due to negative reactions at a test screening.
One of the things that has been driving the upcoming Superman movie in the current zeitgeist is the undeniable air of hope surrounding it. Despite mixed reactions when it was revealed that the hero would be getting another reboot, that negative energy has (mostly) turned into a cautious optimism. The internet has been keeping track of every test screening, teaser, and plot leak. There’s probably even an account that tracks how many times David Corenswet has sneezed!
However, it seems that not all is sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. During the promotional tour for the film, Sara Sampaio and María Gabriela de Faría – who play Eve Teschmacher and The Engineer – revealed to Jake Takes that Superman originally featured a scene where Ultraman punches Krypto the Superdog. However, the controversial scene was ultimately cut due to negative reactions at a test screening for the project.
Ultraman punching Krypto scene getting cut confirmed pic.twitter.com/pvXCSUJhGH
— D🅰️ve (@DaveTheAnodite) July 1, 2025
How The Controversial Scene Fits Into Superman
Fans already know that Superman will feature a plotline where Lex Luthor kidnaps Krypto. It’s most likely that this controversial scene stems from the villain dognapping the superhound at the Fortress of Solitude. However, it’s also possible that the cut scene stems from the film’s climax. The latter might explain why test screening reactions were so negative, as the punch likely took Krypto out of the fight for good.
While the scene likely would’ve been an impactful one to further demonize Ultraman, it’s likely best that it was cut. This not only because of the test screening reactions, but because Superman is, ultimately, a kids movie. Including something so controversial and potentially frightening might have turned parents away from bringing their kids opening weekend, which could ultimately effect the box office gross by hundreds of millions.
Superman is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
