James Gunn Sets the Record Straight: No CGI in Superman’s Face!

The recently released TV commercial previewing James Gunn‘s Superman has sparked an unexpected debate due to the final scene of David Corenswet’s character flying through the Arctic, with some spectators suggesting that computer-generated imagery (CGI) might have been applied to his face. This observation led to comparisons with previous DC blunders, such as the Henry Cavill mustache issue in Justice League.

On the contrary, Gunn promptly debunked the rumors, making it clear that the scene’s authenticity was not in question.

Contrarily, Gunn swiftly dismissed the speculations, clarifying that the scene’s validity was undisputable.

Lastly: But Gunn was quick to refute the rumors, ensuring everyone understood the scene’s reality.

Everyone is focused on Superman’s face, but we’ve never seen a shot of him flying this dynamically

— Maurice Mitchell (@mauricem1972) January 29, 2025

Stepping onto the digital battleground known as Threads, the esteemed Superman director and DC Studios co-CEO, James Gunn, sought to quell the doubts of fans everywhere. He confirmed, in his own words, that the visual spectacle they’d just witnessed was purely the result of practical effects – a testament to the skill and creativity of the team behind the scenes.

According to Gunn, there’s no computer-generated imagery (CGI) on his subject’s face. He explained that when you use a wide-angle lens close up, faces can appear differently. Additionally, he confirmed that the footage was shot with a genuine backdrop from Svalbard, and David [Corenswet] himself is not digitally altered.

Some viewers argue that the shot appears artificial, but in truth, it boils down to innovative camera work and perspectives. As Gunn points out, employing a wide-angle lens at close range can result in an overemphasized appearance, which might account for why some found it aesthetically displeasing.

In many cases, the way a scene is filmed can make it look distorted, regardless of whether it’s a typical movie or a superhero film. This distortion often depends on how the shot is composed.

The Shadow of DC’s Past Mistakes

In my opinion, the current predicament seems eerily similar to Warner Bros.’ mishandling of Superman’s portrayal in the 2017 movie, “Justice League.” During Joss Whedon’s reshoots, Henry Cavill’s mustache had to be digitally erased. The final product, unfortunately, turned into a Superman CGI blunder that sparked endless memes, underscoring the studio’s technical missteps.

It’s astounding that Disney has the ability to revive and rework a film, yet Warner Bros. seems unable to digitally remove a mustache or delay the movie by five weeks for proper adjustments. The result is Superman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Rocky Balboa in Justice League – the mask situation.

— Kevin Apollo #Ironshogun #TheDadTitan #Colosseum (@WarDogApollo) December 15, 2017

It’s no surprise that fans remain skeptical about DC’s VFX work, given the company’s track record.

As a movie-goer, I can’t help but notice James Gunn‘s deliberate efforts to regain the trust of fans who have been let down in the past. Unlike previous DC productions that seemed disjointed and relied heavily on hasty CGI corrections, Gunn seems committed to demonstrating that his version of Superman is a positive step forward. His approach emphasizes genuine cinematography over rushed visual effects.

Superman is DC’s Make-or-Break Moment

At the end of the day, debates over CGI are the least of Warner Bros.’ problems.

In a different phrase: Superman isn’t just another film based on a comic book; it serves as the starting point for Gunn’s revamped DC Universe on the big screen. After numerous setbacks, such as The Flash, Black Adam, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Warner Bros is in dire need of success.

The valuable intellectual properties owned by DC have been poorly handled, bringing them close to failure. This leaves ordinary viewers uninterested and hardcore fans arguing among themselves. Despite Marvel struggling under Disney’s leadership focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, one might think that Superman would be an easy win for Warner Bros. However, history shows that the studio often misses out on promising chances.

Some are concerned about potential issues, given the controversial comic book author Tom King’s involvement, which could be a warning signal. If Gunn focuses excessively on identity politics, he might replicate Marvel’s errors by driving away a superhero audience that craves compelling narratives rather than forced ideological messages.

Warner Bros. stands at a pivotal point to regain its prominence in the superhero realm. The query remains: will they grasp this chance, or will Superman become another instance of DC’s sequence of self-imposed setbacks?

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2025-01-30 20:55