DC Studios and Craig Gillespie Screen Competing Versions of ‘Supergirl’ to Test Audiences

Recent reports indicate that the film Supergirl underwent a challenging post-production phase, featuring two distinct versions competing for audience approval before its release. One version was crafted by director Craig Gillespie, while the other was assembled by DC Studios, under the guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran.

The studio recognized for months that the film was not resonating well with viewers. Initial test screenings yielded lukewarm reactions, prompting the team to explore various edits. The strategy was straightforward: create two cuts of the film and pit them against each other to determine which one audiences preferred.

The first version, directed by Craig Gillespie, was described by sources as being more character-driven. This cut reportedly allocated more screen time to the villain Krem and had a longer runtime compared to the studio’s version. It also incorporated musical choices that aligned with Gillespie’s signature style, reminiscent of his previous works like Cruella. Test audiences noted that this version felt more emotional in certain scenes, although it also suffered from uneven pacing.

In contrast, the second version was developed by the DC Studios team. This cut was more structured and aligned with Gunn and Safran’s vision for the DC universe. It streamlined scenes and altered parts of the final act, including the climactic fight sequence. The studio also enlisted external assistance during post-production, including writer Jeremy Slater, to refine scenes and facilitate reshoots.

Both versions were screened to audiences multiple times between late 2025 and early 2026. According to the same report, neither version garnered strong responses. One insider revealed that test scores hovered mostly in the 60s out of 100, which is considered underwhelming for a major studio superhero film. Although scores briefly climbed into the low 70s, they fell again when the two cuts were compared directly.

A significant distinction between the two versions lay in their musical choices and overall tone. Gunn’s team favored a more recognizable pop-driven moment in the final act, including a cover of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Conversely, Gillespie’s version featured different musical selections that some viewers reportedly found more appealing in terms of pacing and emotional resonance.

An insider quoted in the report candidly remarked, “They were not creatively aligned”. However, another source countered that the conflict was more reflective of typical studio-filmmaker dynamics rather than a complete breakdown.

During the final “bakeoff” test in March, the studio version reportedly achieved a slightly higher score by a narrow margin. One source indicated that the difference was merely a few points. Following this, the studio opted for its own cut for theatrical release.

A filmmaker familiar with studio testing, but not involved in Supergirl, shared with The Hollywood Reporter that “If a studio is going to put money into the test process, it means they feel strongly about certain things.”

Ultimately, the version overseen by DC Studios became the final film released in theaters. However, both cuts faced the same challenge: audiences did not respond favorably to either version.

The report suggests that this internal division may have hindered the film’s momentum leading up to its release. Nevertheless, studio leadership has maintained that the broader DC strategy remains intact, despite the disappointing results.

The Supergirl situation serves as a case study in how contemporary studio filmmaking can diverge into competing creative directions. One path emerged from a director with a unique tone and style, while the other stemmed from a studio attempting to shape a larger shared universe. In this instance, neither version fully resonated with test audiences, leading to the studio-controlled cut being selected for release.

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