‘Variety’ Reports Studios Turning to Superfans Amid Rise of “Toxic Fans” — Here Are the First Reactions

Whether we like it or not, “toxic fans” have become a fixture in modern pop culture. While the term is sometimes misapplied, it often accurately describes those who believe they have a superior understanding of a franchise—acting as if they’re the only ones who truly “get” it.

These individuals, while not genuine fans, perceive themselves as gatekeepers. They claim to know what the creator intended, sometimes even believing they understand the franchise better than the creators themselves.

They assert what fits within the lore and what doesn’t. Unfortunately, their version of what’s “lore-friendly” often excludes women, non-Caucasian characters, and LGBTQ+ representation, exposing an underlying prejudice.

This toxicity manifests through actions like review-bombing and negative campaigns against shows and films, especially when diversity is involved.

As a result, major studios are shifting their focus, choosing to engage with superfans—those who embrace the broader vision of a franchise—rather than catering to the entire fanbase, to ensure a more positive and supportive reception for new projects.

This new approach was confirmed on Twitter, with Variety being referenced as the source. Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

It appears that the influence of “toxic fans” is set to be significantly diminished, as their hate campaigns will no longer hold any weight. Studios will now turn to superfans—true enthusiasts of the franchise—to provide feedback on content before it’s released, potentially shaping the final product.

This shift is a positive step in sidelining toxic voices, ensuring their negativity won’t impact creative decisions. However, some regular fans may feel excluded from the early stages, though their opinions will still matter once a show is released.

While this approach effectively counters toxic “fans” and reinforces their irrelevance, reactions to the change have been mixed, as expected:

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