James Gunn explains Superman trailer CGI controversy by admitting responsibility for a widely discussed visual effects moment, which he confirmed will not be in the final version of the film. The issue arose after viewers noticed questionable CGI in a TV spot released earlier this year, prompting Gunn to publicly clarify the situation.
Addressing Concerns Over Viral Superman Footage
Earlier in the year, a television commercial featuring David Corenswet as Superman, soaring across a snowy landscape near the Fortress of Solitude, drew criticism for its apparent unfinished special effects. Commenters and fans called out what appeared to be unconvincing CGI, raising questions about the quality of the upcoming film’s visuals.
James Gunn, responding to the backlash, took to social media to address the matter.
“There is absolutely zero CG in his face,”
—James Gunn, Director. He clarified further, stating,
“People’s faces can look different when you put a wide angle lens up close. The background plate in Svalbard is 100% real as is David.”
—James Gunn, Director.
Director’s Explanation of the Filming Process
The director elaborated in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, offering a more detailed account of how the scene was created and why it fell short visually.
“It was a TV commercial and it wasn’t a finished visual effects shot. So the part of him flying, it was a photograph of his face and him flying. It was a photograph of a drone flying in front of an actual background. So all the pieces were real, but it was incorporated in kind of a funky way,”
—James Gunn, Director.
Gunn admitted that this shot was never meant to be final, as it did not represent the polished state intended for the film itself. He described the oversight, sharing,
“I didn’t love the shot, so it’s not even the shot that’s in the movie. Sometimes I’m pretty strict about when I’m going through a trailer and looking at each of the shots, but sometimes the commercials, I forget to look at this closely. So that one kind of got by me.”
—James Gunn, Director.
The State of Superman’s Production and Impact on the DCU
James Gunn confirmed that Superman, starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult, has completed all visual effects work and is ready for release. The film is the first to launch the new live-action DC Universe, co-led by DC Studios executives James Gunn and Peter Safran. Plans for DCU Chapter One include additional projects like Lanterns and a film focused on Clayface, signaling a new era for the franchise.
The incident highlights the scrutiny that superhero films face regarding visual effects and promotional material, as well as the importance of quality assurance in high-profile projects. With Warner Bros. and DC Studios now preparing for the official rollout, all eyes will be on how these lessons influence future releases in the evolving DCU.
