DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has addressed the online debate surrounding Superman's flying face, sparked by a recent TV spot for the upcoming Superman movie. The 30-second advertisement, which aired over the weekend, features two new scenes: Lex Luthor exiting a helicopter in a snowy wilderness, possibly in search of the Fortress of Solitude, and Superman performing a barrel roll over an icy landscape as he flies towards an unknown destination.
The internet quickly buzzed with opinions about David Corenswet's portrayal of Superman, particularly focusing on his facial expression during the flight sequence. Some viewers felt that Superman's face appeared unnaturally still, especially when contrasted with his billowing hair and cape, leading to speculation about "wonky CGI." However, Gunn took to Threads to clarify that no CGI was used on Superman's face in the shot.A fan on Threads commented, "Looks dope. Great camera angle of Superman flying! Except there's something with his face that looks a little off. I know there's plenty of time to refine the CG." Gunn responded directly, stating, "There is absolutely zero CG in his face. 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." Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago, served as a filming location for parts of the movie.
This revelation confirms that David Corenswet's seemingly knowing smirk during the flight is entirely natural, possibly enhanced by a fan blowing on his face during filming. Despite Gunn's clarification, fans continue to discuss and compare the shot to similar scenes, such as Adam Warlock's flying sequence in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which Gunn also wrote and directed.
The excitement for the Superman movie remains high, with its release scheduled for July 11, 2025. As the first film in the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, it has generated significant interest. IGN provides comprehensive coverage, including an explainer on all the DC Heroes and Villains in the new trailer, insights from James Gunn on Krypto being a rather mischievous dog in the film, discussions on how Superman embodies the theme of hope, and more.
