DC Studios co-chief James Gunn addressed online criticism regarding Superman's facial expression during a flight sequence in a recently released TV spot for the upcoming Superman movie.
The 30-second spot features new footage: Lex Luthor exiting a helicopter in a snowy wilderness, possibly near the Fortress of Solitude, and Superman performing a barrel roll while flying over an icy landscape. The Superman sequence sparked debate, with some viewers suggesting his face appeared unnaturally still while his hair and cape billowed in the wind. Some attributed this to CGI imperfections.
However, Gunn clarified on Threads, responding to a fan comment, that the shot contains "absolutely zero CG in his face." He explained that the effect might be due to the use of a wide-angle lens up close. He confirmed the Svalbard, Norway location and David Corenswet's performance as entirely real.
Therefore, Superman's seemingly knowing smirk while flying towards the camera is, according to Gunn, a completely natural result of the filming techniques.
Despite this clarification, debate continues among fans, with comparisons drawn to the flying Adam Warlock scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, also directed by Gunn. Regardless of the controversy surrounding this brief clip, anticipation for the Superman movie remains high. The film, opening July 11, 2025, is the inaugural entry in the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. For further information, IGN offers articles detailing the DC heroes and villains in the new trailer, James Gunn's comments on Krypto's character, the film's thematic focus on hope, and more.
