James Gunn Addresses Superman TV Spot: No CGI on David Corenswet’s Face

DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has addressed feedback on Superman’s flying scene after a TV spot ignited online discussions.

DC Studios unveiled a new TV spot for the upcoming Superman film over the weekend, sparking reactions to David Corenswet’s airborne expression.

The 30-second clip, below, features two new scenes: Lex Luthor exiting a helicopter in a snowy wilderness, possibly seeking the Fortress of Solitude, and Superman soaring over an icy terrain, performing a barrel roll en route to an unknown destination.

Some viewers noted that Superman’s face seems unusually static while his hair and cape flutter in the wind. Others attributed it to “flawed CGI,” but Gunn clarified on Threads that no CGI was applied to Superman’s face in the scene.

“Looks impressive,” a Threads user commented on the TV spot. “Great camera work on Superman’s flight! But something about his face feels slightly off. Plenty of time to polish the CG, though.”

Gunn responded: “There’s absolutely no CGI on his face. A wide-angle lens up close can alter facial appearance. The Svalbard background is 100% real, as is David.” Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago, served as a filming location for parts of Superman.

Thus, Superman’s flying expression is entirely natural, with David Corenswet genuinely showcasing a subtle smirk while speeding toward the camera—or perhaps with a large fan simulating wind effects.

Despite this clarification, fans continue to discuss the scene, drawing comparisons to the flying Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, also written and directed by James Gunn. As IGN has noted, excitement for the Superman film remains high alongside debates about this brief clip. Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025, kicking off the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. IGN offers 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, reflections on how Superman embodies hope, and more.