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Tag: Jeremy Slater

  • DC Studios Knew Supergirl Was in Serious Trouble Months Before Box Office Bomb — Report

    Movie magic can sometimes stumble, but for DC Studios, the experience with Supergirl proved that sometimes the studio knows best. Long before the film hit theaters on June 26, 2026, major concerns were already bubbling up internally, signaling that this ambitious project might not be the blockbuster success everyone hoped for. When the box office results came in as a disappointment, it didn’t just deflate the movie; it cast a shadow over the future trajectory of the entire DC Universe.

    The friction wasn’t just about creative vision; it was about alignment. As Supergirl was the first major DCU film not helmed by franchise co-head James Gunn, the stakes were incredibly high. Insiders suggested that differences between the director, Craig Gillespie, and the studio over the creative direction were palpable. Some reports hinted at a disconnect, while others framed the tension as simply the healthy friction of bringing ambitious ideas to life.

    These internal warnings materialized into concrete action. Following production wrap-up in May 2025, the realization that the film wasn’t performing as expected led DC Studios to step in and overhaul the project. Rather than simply accepting the outcome, the studio decided to take the reins and develop its own version of the story.

    To craft this revised vision, the studio brought in new talent. They enlisted Jeremy Slater, the screenwriter behind the previous Authority movie, along with Supergirl‘s original writer, Ana Nogueira, to help shape the post-production process. This collaborative effort wasn’t just cosmetic; it focused on critical elements, addressing issues that weighed heavily on the final product, particularly the climactic fight sequences and the score.

    The revised version also featured a different editing approach, with the studio bringing in editors Tatiana S. Riegel and Fred Raskin. The resulting studio cut showed promise; it performed significantly better in test screenings, scoring in the low 70s—a clear win compared to the director’s original version.

    While Gillespie’s cut had received attention, the shift towards the studio’s edited material was clear. The final decision reflected a smart pivot: prioritizing commercial viability and audience reception over initial directorial vision. Ultimately, DC Studios chose their refined cut for theatrical release, demonstrating that even when creative sparks fly, a shrewd business decision can steer the ship toward success.

    Credit: ComingSoon.net

  • A Closer Look At Why “Supergirl” Bombed

    Featured image A Closer Look At Why Supergirl Bombed

    The path from set to screen is often fraught with peril, but for filmmaker Craig Gillespie’s ambitious venture, Supergirl, it was a masterclass in creative turbulence and box office disappointment. What began as a highly anticipated superhero film quickly devolved into a case study on studio intervention, post-production wrangling, and the shifting sands of audience taste.

    Before hitting theaters, the movie underwent numerous test screenings, a process intended to fine-tune the narrative. However, these sessions quickly revealed deep creative friction between Gillespie’s vision and the studio’s demands. The results were sobering: test scores consistently hovered in the 60s across multiple rounds, suggesting that the material was struggling to connect with potential audiences.

    This internal disagreement over direction proved to be a major hurdle, preventing the project from finding its footing during post-production. Competing cuts, including Gillespie’s extended version which incorporated more scenes featuring the villain Krem, were put up for review in March. While both versions tested poorly compared to earlier drafts, the studio ultimately made its call on which direction to pursue.

    As underwhelming numbers started trickling in from early screenings, the studio reportedly intervened. They recognized the film was not resonating and stepped in to shape the final product, leading to significant reworkings behind the scenes. To help navigate this complex process, writer Jeremy Slater was brought aboard for a nine-day shoot of additional photography, including reshooting crucial climactic fights.

    The story took an unexpected turn when the planned conclusion was also revised; the film was originally slated to end with a cover version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” In the end, while the studio favored one version over the other—which scored marginally better, though still disappointingly low—they settled on their choice.

    The resulting film stands as a testament to these shifting dynamics: a movie with a 170 million budget that is now projected to drop by as much as 70% this weekend and may struggle to reach the $200 million mark globally. It serves as a sharp reminder that artistic vision often collides with commercial reality in Hollywood.

    The ultimate takeaway from the experience speaks volumes about modern audience appeal. One studio executive bluntly put it: “Gen Z does not care about superhero movies. That genre belongs to millennials.” This stark observation captures the complex, and often frustrating, negotiation between creators aiming for artistic goals and the market demanding immediate, specific tastes.

    Credit: Dark Horizons

  • Summoner: Kevin Bacon to star in horror film directed by Jeremy Slater

    The Demonic Calling: Kevin Bacon Takes on Terror in New Directorial Debut

    When you combine genre filmmaking with established star power, you get a recipe for cinematic dynamite. That is exactly what is brewing in the horror sphere as director Jeremy Slater sets out to make his directorial debut with Summoner, a film that has already captured the attention of one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces: Kevin Bacon.

    Slater’s new project promises a deep dive into the terrifying world of supernatural horror. The premise itself is gripping: an exorcist, played by Bacon, is thrust into an isolated witness protection property where he must confront a demonic entity. This isn’t just a standard exorcism; it is a high-stakes scenario where the demon’s unleashed power threatens not only the protagonist but everyone in his immediate vicinity.

    The film delves into the emotional volatility inherent in these extreme situations. As Bacon has noted, he finds immense appeal in the horror genre because it forces an unfiltered experience of emotion. He loves that watching a film allows you to feel deeply—to experience the full spectrum of human feeling: sadness, hysterical laughter, terror, and profound unease. For Bacon, high-stakes scenarios where life and death hang in the balance provide fertile ground for powerful storytelling.

    This blend of intense drama and visceral fear is perfectly mirrored in the world of Summoner. It suggests a film that will not only deliver spine-tingling scares but also explore the psychological weight of facing the unknown, offering an experience far beyond simple jump scares.

    Behind the camera, the project is anchored by a powerhouse team. The film is being produced under the banner of Nocturna, helmed by director Andy Muschietti, alongside Barbara Muschietti and Russell Ackerman. This production pedigree comes from their previous work, including the acclaimed horror feature They Will Kill You, demonstrating an established comfort level with intense genre material.

    With a project of this magnitude involving such celebrated talent and a potent concept, Summoner arrives as much of a cultural event as it does a cinematic experience. It signals that when high-octane horror meets iconic performance, the result is likely to be something truly unforgettable.

    Credit: JoBlo