A recent viral video surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) that reveals just how far some Zack Snyder fans have gone in their campaign against James Gunn’s Superman. In the video, critics appear to reject the film before it’s even been seen, turning fandom into complete dislike.
This fight is no longer about artistic differences, but about nostalgia and online hatred taking over what should be a creative discussion. This extreme reaction shows a growing toxicity in online fan culture, where disagreement escalates, becoming harassment, and movies become victims in turf wars on social media.
Snyder vs. Gunn: The fandom war over DC’s new Superman

Ever since the time James Gunn has held the position of co-CEO at DC Studios, a section of Zack Snyder loyalists have resisted the shift towards a lighter and more comic tone. Snyder’s tone was dark and brooding, and characters became iconic for fans, especially after the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021.
The recent viral video shows a Walmart scene where Superman T-shirts are already stocked, while Justice League T-shirts are just being restocked. It’s absurd that something this minor is being used as a fuel for hate. This isn’t about the actual story or quality of the new film, but about rejecting anything that isn’t made by Zack Snyder, no matter how small or unrelated.
#Superman shirts are still full at my local walmart
James gunn Superman Shirts are not selling
But people are sure getting
Jurassic World Shirts https://t.co/IDjaWWukTw pic.twitter.com/kpfaaO17gi— TheCurlyRay (@TheCurlyRay) June 6, 2025
James Gunn has acknowledged this fan war even before. Several neutral DC fans are cautiously optimistic about Gunn’s direction. They simply want good films, regardless of who directs them. If Superman delivers strong storytelling and emotional depth, even the fans who are skeptical might shift their views.
Toxic fan culture: When loyalty turns into online hate
Online hate is something everyone is well aware of. It is to the point acceptable when there is constructive criticism attached to it. But it gets on nerves when it escalates to harassment and shaming someone or something. Viral videos and social media outrage often receive coverage that fuels the division. Platforms like YouTube and X reward controversies with reach. The more dramatic and differentiating the take, the more views it gets.
![Viral Video Proves Zack Snyder Fans’ Hate for James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Has Crossed All Limits of Sanity 2 Director James Gunn on the set of Superman in Cleveland in 2024 [Photo by Erik Drost, licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25111326/james-gunn-1-1-1024x684.jpg)
All this makes many creators post videos against James Gunn just because they miss Snyder’s style. Instead of facts, these videos are full of strong emotions and bias. They often focus on spreading hate instead of giving honest opinions. Social media boosts this kind of content because it gets more clicks. In the end, real and thoughtful opinions get ignored in all the noise.
James Gunn’s Superman is meant to restart the franchise and start afresh. Therefore, no director deserves to work under constant comparison to a predecessor, especially when the former universe is officially closed. A healthy criticism is fair, but calling for boycotts even before a single frame is seen crosses a line.
In a world where change is constant, here, the real danger lies in the refusal of certain fans to accept the change itself. Superman has always represented hope, renewal, and a fresh start. James Gunn’s film deserves to be judged on its storytelling, not rejected due to faithfulness towards a section. As long as toxic fans hijack the conversation, DC’s future will remain stuck in the past. Hence, it’s time to move forward and let new stories shine.
Superman is set to release on 11th July, 2025 in theaters (USA).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire