‘Superman’: James Gunn Responds To David Corenswet CGI Controversy Following New Trailer

Is David Corenswet CGI?

James Gunn David Corenswet Superman

Is Superman using too much CGI? James Gunn speaks out on theories that David Corenswet is getting the Henry Cavill treatment in a recent trailer.

Fans are still definitely in the honey moon period with James Gunn and the new DC Universe. Despite Superman still being half a year away, every inch of footage is still combed over for any details that can be gleamed about the DC Universe’s start on the silver screen. Which is why it didn’t take long for fans to catch a relatively wonky shot at the end of the latest TV spot for the film, with many suspecting that Gunn replaced David Corenswet with CGI.

Superman fans are distrustful of CGI. Rightly so, given how badly Henry Cavill’s take on the character was butchered in Justice League to remove his mustache. There was hope, however, that the character’s debut in the DC Universe might lean more into practical effects. This was bolstered when set photos began to come out from the project, revealing that James Gunn was having David Corenswet lift prop building in costume and fly through the sky on wires.

James Gunn Breaks Silence On Superman CGI

James Gunn was quick to shut down any rumors that David Corenswet had been, in any way, replaced by CGI. The director released a statement on Threads revealing that, not only is Corenswet truly there as Superman in the footage, but the background plate of the tundra is real too. The only thing used to create this odd effect was the use of a wide angle lens.

“There is absolutely zero CG in his face,” Gunn explained. “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.”

The use of a wide angle lens when a character is flying is far from new in the superhero genre. Not only was it used in Black Adam, but James Gunn himself used it for Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. So while David Corenswet may look weird, it’s a stylistic choice to show the speed of the moment. Though Gunn could’ve certainly pulled focus a bit differently to try to make it look less uncanny given the history of Superman on the big screen!

Superman is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!

Anthony Singletary

Anthony Singletary

Anthony has always had a love for stories. An aspiring screenwriter and video editor, he takes pride in connecting fans with the latest heroic news!