James Gunn Called Out for ‘Superman’ Filming Duration Amid Concerns of Excessive Use of CGI

Since Gunn & Safran assumed control of the DCEU and rebranded it as the DCU, a significant faction of fans who appreciated Snyder’s vision has been discontent. Gunn faces ongoing criticism and is frequently compelled to justify a movie that has yet to be completed or released.

The latest controversy revolves around allegations of potential excessive use of CGI in the forthcoming ‘Superman’ film.

The production schedule for upcoming DCU projects is well-known by now, highlighting Gunn’s active involvement in all forthcoming shows and films. ‘Superman’ was the second project to begin production this year, closely followed by ‘Creature Commandos,’ which is nearing completion. Additionally, ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 and ‘Waller’ are slated to be shot concurrently as TV series.

Fans expressed concern when Gunn revealed he would write and direct all episodes, fearing it might detract from his focus on the ‘Superman’ production. Some argued that since ‘Superman’ was initially supposed to finish filming early, it might lead to an overreliance on CGI.

Gunn frequently addresses misconceptions about the DCU on social media platforms, and he recently clarified that ‘Superman’ marks his lengthiest production to date. Although he didn’t directly mention CGI, it’s reasonable to infer that its usage won’t be excessive, possibly even less so than in some recent superhero releases.

To provide context, here are the production durations for several of Gunn’s films: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ took 99 days, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ lasted 121 days, ‘The Suicide Squad’ ran for 162 days, and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ spanned 180 days. On average, these productions took approximately 140 days (4 months, 20 days).

Principal photography for the film commenced on February 29, 2024, coinciding with Superman’s canonical birthday, in Svalbard, Norway’s Adventdalen valley. Chosen for its natural beauty and Arctic resemblance, scenes featuring the Fortress of Solitude were shot over the course of a week.

Henry Braham resumed his role as cinematographer, capturing the film entirely in IMAX format. Although initially delayed by the SAG-AFTRA strike, filming began in March at Atlanta, Georgia’s Trilith Studios and was expected to last around four months, concluding on August 2. Additional filming was planned in Ohio and Macon, Georgia. In March, Wendell Pierce was cast as Perry White, followed by Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell as Jonathan and Martha Kent in April.

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