James Gunn Reveals How Superman’s Most Criticized Shot Was Filmed

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James Gunn has unveiled the secrets behind one of Superman’s most contentious scenes in the movie, explaining how they achieved the controversial barrel roll flight sequence. In a recent video posted on his Instagram account, the director showcases David Corenswet, the star, strapped into a physical rig on a studio stage at Trilith Studios. A crew member spins him to generate the dynamic flying motion. This setup is sandwiched between giant LED screens displaying the snowy mountain landscape filmed in Svalbard, Norway. This behind-the-scenes look confirms a mix of real-life action and advanced digital backdrops, contradicting earlier fan speculations that the scene was entirely computer-generated.

In the set at Trilith, Gunn filmed a barrel roll scene amidst mountains for a future project. Previously recorded plates for this shot were taken in Svalbard. In his post’s caption, Gunn mentioned “7.26.24.” This newly released video clarifies the controversy surrounding a scene that sparked debate when it initially appeared in a Superman TV commercial in early 2025. Some viewers criticized the visual quality of the original scene, finding the special effects unsatisfying and making negative comparisons to flight sequences from earlier adaptations like Man of Steel and Superman & Lois. The main criticism focused on speculation that Corenswet’s face was digitally created.

Previously, Gunn directly countered criticism about his work on social media by attempting to disprove misconceptions. He wrote, “There’s no CGI in his face.” In a past post, he explained, “The human face can appear different when using a wide-angle lens up close. The background plate in Svalbard is genuine, as is David.” With the recent unveiling of this behind-the-scenes video, Gunn offers visual proof to back up his earlier claim, offering fans an insightful glimpse into the practical methods and technology used to create Superman’s flight scenes.

Superman‘s Success Launches a New DC Universe

Despite initial skepticism about DC Studios’ capacity to establish a fresh interconnected universe, the extraordinary achievement of Superman has dramatically changed the conversation. The film has been an unstoppable force at the box office, surpassing $400 million globally within just two weeks and receiving rave reviews from both critics and viewers. This is demonstrated by its A- CinemaScore and 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This impressive performance validates not only the film’s specific creative decisions but more crucially, lays a solid foundation for the entire DC Universe. The movie’s success underscores that the new management at DC Studios can deliver a blockbuster hit that resonates with a wide audience, generating substantial faith and commercial traction for the upcoming lineup of projects.

The upcoming second season of the DCU series “Peacemaker,” as confirmed by Gunn, is a direct continuation of the events depicted in “Superman.” This means we’ll see familiar faces and further development of the universe established in the movie. Fan excitement for this series has grown significantly because it will offer viewers an immediate glimpse into the aftermath and expansion of Gunn’s new cinematic universe. Furthermore, major releases like “Supergirl” in June 2026 and “Clayface” in September 2026 can now be developed with more confidence due to the success of “Peacemaker.” Although a direct sequel to “Superman” hasn’t been officially announced yet, its critical and financial success makes it highly likely. The positive response to Nicholas Corenswet’s portrayal and the storyline ensures that DC Studios will continue Clark Kent’s adventures, with the opportunity to delve deeper into this new mythology for years to come.

Superman is now playing in theaters.

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2025-07-21 11:09