One Of My Favorite Superman Moments Almost Didn’t Make The Cut, And I Can’t Believe The Conversation Surrounding It

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Warning: mild spoilers for Superman are in play.

In the 2025 movie “Superman,” there’s a scene that has sparked a lot of discussion, and it isn’t due to any apparent sociopolitical issues. Instead, it’s a heartfelt act of kindness that writer/director James Gunn insisted on keeping in the film, despite confusion from test audiences and suggestions from executives.

This scene in David Corenswet’s DCU debut is not only one of my favorites, but it also provides a lovely (and comical) connection to his character. Proceed with caution as there may be minor spoilers: I’m about to explain why an apparently disposable scene is actually crucial for understanding the essence of Clark Kent’s personality.

Apparently Superman’s Squirrel Scene Was A Controversial Choice

As a passionate film aficionado, I found myself engrossed in the action-packed scene where Superman (Corenswet) and I battled the monstrous kaiju that Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) had unleashed in Metropolis. In the heat of battle, however, the Man of Steel paused for a heartwarming moment to rescue a dog and a squirrel, an act of kindness towards animals that would later stir up quite a controversy during post-production. In an interview with Rolling Stone, director James Gunn explained why this scene caused such a stir:

“It seemed out of character for Superman to prioritize saving animals over the safety of humanity,” Gunn stated, “but I believe it showcases his inherent compassion and empathy, qualities that make him a true hero.”

This scene serves as a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and destruction, our heroes can find moments to care for the smallest creatures, demonstrating their selflessness and the depth of their humanity.

…it was arguably one of the most heatedly discussed scenes in the film. We included it to gauge audience reaction, and some viewers found it unusual that the protagonist was saving a squirrel instead of focusing on more significant matters. They expressed confusion like, “Why is he rescuing a squirrel? Why is he wasting time on this squirrel?

It’s not too surprising that a few instances reminiscent of Superman sparked debates like this. That’s just how discussions tend to go these days. However, it seems reasonable to suggest that even the most devoted Superman fans might concur that his recent actions appeared out of character for Kal-El.

With an HBO Max subscription, you won’t find yourself saving squirrels, but you will save on your entertainment budget and time. For as low as $9.99 a month, you can explore various realms within the DC Comics universe alongside your beloved heroes, complete with ads. Opt for the Premium plan to eliminate commercials altogether, effectively saving you precious minutes! Check out the offer now.

In a manner reminiscent of how The Suicide Squad’s mastermind depicts the chaos and fight, it seems as if we’re witnessing the reprise of Man of Steel’s contentious death of General Zod – a scene that has sparked ongoing debates among HBO Max subscribers following each viewing. Regardless, director James Gunn had strong convictions about why he believed one small life held immense significance in the grand scheme of things.

James Gunn Almost Cut The Squirrel, But Decided Against It For A Very Good Reason

As someone who may lean towards being Pro or Anti-Squirrel Scene, you might find the following twist in the tale quite intriguing. In his discussion with The New York Times, James Gunn shared a revelation about an attempt he made where Superman’s metahuman character didn’t save the day in the storyline. This experiment, surprisingly, clarified for him the importance of this particular scene, allowing me to better understand its significance.

Initially, I removed a section that had a squirrel in it, and I found myself saying, “Oh, how I long for that squirrel! He needs to be saved.” Moreover, there were spatial issues regarding his new location if he hadn’t been transported with the squirrel. Consequently, I chose to restore the squirrel even though some of my team members objected.

Regardless of your perspective, Gunn’s commitment to consistency in any given situation clearly demonstrates the reasonableness of Superman rescuing a squirrel. This particular viewpoint is substantiated not long afterward, as we witness the “Last Son of Krypton” express regret over Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and the Justice League opting to eliminate the kaiju threat, instead of pursuing a more compassionate resolution.

While discussing the destiny of this harmless tree-dwelling character with The New York Times, the director of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” reinforced his perspective using evidence presented later in the film as support.

Today, Pollyanna might seem overly optimistic to some, but she embodies a rebellious, punk-rock spirit in her own unique way. It’s all about finding the humor in others without belittling them, much like how Superman commands respect. I believe it’s admirable when people possess such qualities, and I wish more individuals exhibited this honor.

Superman has been designed as an exemplar of idealistic and selfless thinking, inspiring us to strive for moral improvement. His deeds and character encourage us to be better versions of ourselves. For instance, Clark’s conversation with Lois Lane (played by Rachel Brosnahan) about saving Krypto, the Justice League coming to protect Jarhanpur, and even choosing to surrender Lex Luthor to the authorities all take on greater significance due to a chance encounter with a squirrel.

Everyone should think about this idea, whether they’re watching Superman for the first or fifth time; James Gunn’s movie introduction toDCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters is still playing in cinemas.”

In this version, I’ve tried to rephrase your original sentence using simpler language while maintaining its intended meaning. The goal was to make the sentence easy for a broader audience to understand.

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2025-08-02 20:53