James Gunn Created One Superman Hero With Practical Effects

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As a seasoned film critic with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film has piqued my interest like never before. The return to practical effects is not just refreshing; it’s downright nostalgic for those of us who remember a time when CGI was still in diapers.

As the excitement for James Gunn’s DC film series continues to escalate, so does the curiosity among fans about what might be happening behind the scenes, particularly since Superman has moved from production to post-production. With filming wrapping up earlier this year, enthusiasts of the DC universe and of the director have been closely monitoring any tidbits they can find from set pictures and, more recently, Gunn’s social media updates.

One specific worry fans have about the upcoming Superman film is whether Gunn will employ the use of practical effects. However, in true Gunn fashion, the outspoken director recently took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to respond to a fan’s question about what kind of effects the filmmaker will be using to create DC’s fantastical world and the well-known characters within it.

Practical Effects Are Slowly But Surely Making a Comeback

As a devoted fan of comic-book movies, I’ve often found myself expressing disappointment over the increasing reliance on computer-generated imagery (CGI) in blockbusters. The widespread use of CGI in these films has sparked much debate among fans like me. However, when pictures of a real-life stand-in circulated online, Marvel’s confirmation that The Thing in their upcoming Fantastic Four film will be created using CGI left many of us feeling disheartened and questioning the future role of practical effects in superhero films, including Gunn’s upcoming DC universe.

In an intentional move, Gunn decided to incorporate real-world effects in the movie Superman. Set photos reveal that he opted for wires during one fight scene and filmed on location rather than the usual blue-screen studio setting found in many superhero films. Moreover, photographs suggest that David Corenswet, who plays the title character, was lifting genuine props resembling debris, which excites fans of practical effects.

Though a staple of Hollywood since its inception, practical effects may seem outdated to some modern moviegoers, but in many cases, they are the better choice when trying to create fantastical visuals. Modern filmmakers and producers seem to be coming back around to appreciating the authenticity of practical effects with recent films, including the Oscar-winning Everything, Everywhere, All at Once and the summer blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. In the age of blue screens and CGI, practical effects and props are few and far between, but with directors like Gunn deciding to include practical effects in movies as big as Superman, maybe there is hope for a continuation of the practical effects renaissance fans are desperately hoping for.

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2024-11-05 21:02