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James Gunn Claps Back at ‘Goofy’ Superman Clip Memes, Defends Actor’s Look

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As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to weigh in on the recent stir caused by the release of a promotional clip for an upcoming film, which has been met with laughter from some fans and the subsequent explosion of memes online. In defense of its creator, the esteemed director James Gunn, let me share his perspective:

“I’ve seen people saying that our new footage is too dark or too fast. But I want to remind everyone that this is Superman – a character who represents hope and optimism in the face of adversity. This clip is meant to reflect those qualities, showcasing Superman as a powerful force, capable of overcoming any obstacle. It’s not about making light-hearted jokes or catering to superficial expectations; it’s about creating something that resonates with the essence of this iconic character.”

So, let’s reserve our judgement until we can fully appreciate the vision that James Gunn and his team have brought to life in this film. After all, true fans know that the real power lies not in memes or mockery, but in the stories that inspire us and remind us of what it means to be a hero.

58-year-old Gunn addressed fans following his posting of a fresh 30-second video on Monday to his X account, featuring David Corenswet, aged 31, portraying the Man of Steel soaring over a frigid wilderness.

Several people pointed out the unique appearance of Corenswet’s eyes, some saying they seemed unusually large and widely spaced. They even labeled the photograph as having a slightly funny or odd look.

One viewer remarked, ‘His face seems a bit unusual. There’s still lots of time for fine-tuning the computer graphics.’

Gunn clarified that no digital effects were used to alter the actor’s facial appearance in response to a comment.

In his face, there’s not a trace of computer-generated imagery. It’s important to note that faces can appear distinct when shot with a wide-angle lens from close range. Moreover, the backdrop in Svalbard [Norway] is entirely authentic, just like David himself.

It begins July 11th. #Superman

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 26, 2025

‘We can tell,’ one snarky comment read in response to Gunn’s claims.

‘I believe him,’ another one added. 

The video ignited a whirlwind of memes, as fans creatively swapped faces onto Superman’s image, featuring Steve Buscemi as his Mr. Deeds persona, Marty Feldman’s Igor from Young Frankenstein, Mr. Bean, Orange is the New Black’s Crazy Eyes, and various other characters with expressive eyes.

Additionally, there were numerous supporters who remained faithful to Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman. One individual even posted a comparison side by side and commented, ‘The decrease in quality is mind-blowing.’

‘Please fix his eyes. There’s still time to edit,’ one fan pleaded.

Is it true? The final scene makes him appear very computer-generated, which is disappointing after loving Cavill’s portrayal of Superman. I was genuinely eager to see the movie following the initial trailer, but this aspect detracts from my enjoyment – I feel quite disheartened at this moment. @jamesgunn, I hope this isn’t the final version of the shot! Superman.

‘Why does Superman have a lazy eye?’ another asked with laughing emojis. 

‘Goofy, cheap and cross eyed.’

This point highlights my major issue with the film’s camera work, specifically the frequent use of wide-angle lenses in scenes such as these, which gives the movie a rather comical appearance. Another person made the same observation.

It seems strange that recently, these films have been using an unusual close-up perspective during flying scenes, focusing solely on the character’s face. We’ve seen this in Black Adam, Adam Warlock, and now Superman. There are far more exciting methods to depict flight; just take a look at Man of Steel for an example. These shots appear rather comical to me.

The first trailer for the hotly-anticipated new Superman film was released in December.

But Superman was upstaged by an unexpected four-legged hero – his dog Krypto.

In the trailer, the lovable dog saves the day as he helps his owner who’s stuck in a frozen landscape.

Following his fall from the heavens, the wounded superhero blows a whistle, causing his loyal canine companion to dash swiftly through the snow toward him.

‘Krypto, home. Take me home,’ Superman says.

The tiny dog then bites onto his owner’s red cape and effortlessly pulls him through the snow.

For many spectators, the dog was particularly noteworthy; one viewer even stated that they were planning their visit to the theater solely due to the impressive canine.

As a devoted admirer, I must confess that it’s Krypto the Dog who makes me tune into the Superman movie – quite simply, he’s the star attraction for me!

‘We need a Krypto solo movie,’ another said.

The new film will hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

The thrilling sneak peek starts by showing Superman summoning his pet, followed by quick glimpses of him as Clark Kent, a journalist, unfolding on the screen.

Kent saunters through the hustle and bustle of The Daily Planet, encountering his romantic interest, journalist Lois Lane played by Rachel Brosnahan. Later on, we see him back at home with his father figure, Pa Kent, portrayed by Pruitt Taylor Vince.

His vast powers are clearly demonstrated, with him saving a young girl from an explosion and fighting off many terrifying adversaries.

Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) also makes an appearance in the trailer.

Additionally, actors Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced portraying Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi in the role of Mister Terrific appear for brief appearances too.

In a continuation of an extensive list, Corenswet will portray the Man of Steel in films, a role that dates back to a 1948 movie series featuring Kirk Alyn as the first actor to take on this iconic character.

In 1951, it was George Reeves who took on the role of Superman in the initial movie adaptation, whereas Christopher Reeve portrayed the iconic character as the first genuine big-screen Superman from a major studio in 1978’s Superman film.

Or:

George Reeves appeared as Superman for the first time on the big screen in a 1951 movie, but it was Christopher Reeve who played the role of the first authentic big-screen Superman from a major studio in 1978’s Superman film.

In subsequent films, he once again took up the role in Superman II, Superman III, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. Later, he decided to step away from the series.

1995 marked a significant turning point for Reeve, as a horse-riding accident left him completely paralyzed from his neck down, dramatically altering his life’s trajectory.

In October 2004, Anthony Hopkins, who played The Remains of the Day, fell into a coma and passed away shortly thereafter at the age of 52.

After that, Brandon Routh portrayed Superman in the 2006 movie “Superman Returns,” followed by Henry Cavill assuming the role in “Man of Steel” (2013), as well as appearing in “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016) and “Justice League” (2017).

Instead of following the usual pattern seen in many Superman movies by delving into the origin story, the forthcoming Superman film will concentrate on the character at around the age of 26.

Starting off, the movie marks the beginning of Gunn and Peter Safran (co-chairmen of DC Studios) fresh franchise. Subsequently, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will follow suit, scheduled to hit theaters on June 26, 2026.

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2025-01-29 11:41

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