The latest TV spot trailer for James Gunn’s Superman has stirred some unexpected controversy over the final shot of David Corenswet’s titular hero soaring through the Arctic skies. Some viewers speculated that CGI was used on Corenswet’s face, drawing comparisons to past DC missteps like the infamous Henry Cavill mustache debacle from Justice League.
However, Gunn was quick to shut down the rumors, setting the record straight on the scene’s authenticity.
Everyone is focused on Superman’s face, but we’ve never seen a shot of him flying this dynamically pic.twitter.com/BbTguaDIkf
— Maurice Mitchell (@mauricem1972) January 29, 2025
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Taking to the social media platform Threads (which James Gunn might be the sole remaining user of), the Superman director and DC Studios co-CEO reassured fans that the shot was entirely practical.
“There is absolutely zero CG in his face,” Gunn said. “People’s faces can look different when you put a wide-angle lens up close.” Gunn further clarified that the footage was filmed using a real background. “The background plate in Svalbard is 100% real as is David [Corenswet].”
James Gunn pushes back on fans who claim Superman had CGI on his face – James Gunn on Threads
While some fans insist the shot looks unnatural, it ultimately comes down to camera techniques and angles. As Gunn explained, the use of a wide-angle lens up close can create an exaggerated effect, which might explain why some people found it visually off-putting.
The reality is that practical shots can often appear distorted depending on how they are framed, a fact that applies to all forms of cinematography, not just superhero films.
The Shadow of DC’s Past Mistakes
The controversy is reminiscent of Warner Bros.’ disastrous handling of Superman’s appearance in Justice League (2017), when Joss Whedon’s reshoots required Henry Cavill’s mustache to be digitally removed. The end result became a meme-worthy Superman CGI embarrassment, highlighting the studio’s technical mismanagement.
I have to say … its ridiculous that #Disney can bring you back from the dead after a rewrite & reshoot but the #WB can’t remove a mustache or have sense enough to delay the movie 5 Weeks to get it right.. you made superman look like rocky dennis #JusticeLeague #Mask pic.twitter.com/tL8yceYSYB
— 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.
However, Gunn’s direct response appears to be an attempt to rebuild trust with a fanbase that has been burned before. Unlike the disjointed approach of past DC projects, Gunn appears determined to prove that his Superman is a step in the right direction, grounded in real cinematography rather than rushed CGI fixes.
Superman is DC’s Make-or-Break Moment
At the end of the day, debates over CGI are the least of Warner Bros.’ problems.
Superman isn’t just another comic book movie—it’s the theatrical launchpad for Gunn’s entire rebooted DC Universe. After years of misfires, from The Flash and Black Adam to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, WB is in desperate need of a win.
Eara Miller as The Flash in The Flash – YouTube, DC
DC’s most valuable IP has been mismanaged to the point of near collapse, leaving general audiences apathetic and hardcore fans divided. With Marvel faltering under Disney’s disastrous DEI-focused leadership, Superman should be an easy victory for Warner Bros.—but history has shown the studio’s ability to fumble even the most promising opportunities.
Some already see red flags, pointing to the involvement of divisive comic book writer Tom King as a worrying sign. If Gunn leans too hard into identity politics, he risks repeating Marvel’s mistakes, alienating a superhero audience that is starving for quality storytelling over forced messaging.
Superman in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Warner Bros. has a golden opportunity to reclaim its spot in the superhero genre. The question is: will they seize it, or will Superman be yet another chapter in DC’s long history of self-inflicted failures?
Do you think the Superman footage used CGI on David Corenswet’s face? Sound off in the comments and let us know! And keep it here at That Park Place for all the news that should be fun!
“Has anyone seen my baseball? Has anyone seen my baseball?”
It’s ironic, they didn’t use CGI, and it looked fake :D