Superman director James Gunn defends 'goofy' new clip after it was mocked by fans sparking frenzy of memes

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Superman director James Gunn defended a new promotional clip from the film, after the footage was mocked by fans and sparked a frenzy of internet memes.

Gunn, 58, responded to fans after sharing a new 30-second clip to his X account on Monday, which showed the Man of Steel, played by David Corenswet, 31, flying through a frozen tundra.

Many commented on the look of Corenswet's eyes, with some noting they appeared disproportionately large and far apart and calling the shot 'goofy.'

'There's something with his face that looks a little off. I know there’s plenty of time to refine the CG,' one fan commented. 

Gunn responded to the comment, assuring fans there was no computer-generated imagery on the actor's face.

'There is absolutely zero CG in his face. People’s faces can look different when you put a wide angle lens up close. The background plate in Svalbard [Norway] is 100% real as is David.' 

Superman director James Gunn, 58, defended a new promotional clip from the film, after the footage was mocked by fans and sparked a frenzy of internet memes

Gunn responded to fans after sharing a new 30-second clip to his X account on Monday, which showed the Man of Steel, played by David Corenswet, 31, flying through a frozen tundra

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

'I believe him,' another one added. 

The clip sparked a frenzy of memes, with fans photoshopping different faces onto Superman, including Steve Buscemi’s Mr. Deeds character, Marty Feldman’s Igor from Young Frankenstein, Mr. Bean, Crazy Eyes and other googly-eyed characters.

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Superman fans all saying he's already been upstaged by another character in FIRST trailer

There were also many fans loyal to Henry Cavill's Superman portrayal, with one posting a side-by-side comparison and writing, 'The downgrade is insane.' 

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

'Seriously? He looks terribly computer-animated at the end! I really love Cavill’s Superman, and I was genuinely excited to see the film after the first trailer. But this completely pulls me out of it - I feel so let down right now. @jamesgunn, please tell me this is not the final version of the shot! Superman.'

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

'Goofy, cheap and cross eyed.'

Fans questioned the look of Superman's eyes, and whether computer-generated imagery was used. Gunn responded: 'There is absolutely zero CG in his face. People’s faces can look different when you put a wide angle lens up close. The background plate in Svalbard [Norway] is 100% real as is David'

The clip sparked a frenzy of memes, with fans photoshopping different faces onto Superman

One meme compared the actor to Steve Buscemi’s Mr. Deeds character

Someone else put Mr. Bean's face on Superman

There were a number of other googly-eyed characters used in memes 

A fan photoshopped laser beams firing in different directions 

Fans shared countless of images and videos poking fun of the flying shot

There were also many fans loyal to Henry Cavill's Superman portrayal, with one posting a side-by-side comparison and writing, 'The downgrade is insane'

'Why does Superman have a lazy eye?' another asked with laughing emojis

'This emphasizes my biggest gripe with the film’s cinematography which is that the wide angle lenses on shots like this make the film look really goofy,' someone else added

'Seriously, what is up with these weird face-on lens distortion flying shots focusing only on the character’s face lately? These just look goofy'

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

'Seriously? He looks terribly computer-animated at the end!'

'This emphasizes my biggest gripe with the film’s cinematography which is that the wide angle lenses on shots like this make the film look really goofy,' another added.

'Seriously, what is up with these weird face-on lens distortion flying shots focusing only on the character’s face lately? Black Adam, Adam Warlock, and now Superman. There are so many cooler ways to visualize flying; just look at anything in Man of Steel. These just look goofy.'

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 adorable pooch comes to the rescue when his owner is stranded in an icy terrain.

After plummeting from the sky, the injured superhero manages a whistle, prompting his dog to hurtle towards him in the snow.

'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.

The canine was a stand-out for numerous viewers, with one saying the dog was the 'only reason' they planned on heading to the theatres.

'I’m deada** when I say this but Krypto the Dog is the only reason I’m watching the #Superman movie..' one fan tweeted.

'We need a Krypto solo movie,' another said.

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 adorable pooch comes to the rescue when his owner is stranded in an icy terrain 

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

Superman also shares a magical kiss with Lois (Rachel Brosnahan)

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

The action-packed teaser begins with the scene of Superman calling out to his dog before flashes of his life as reporter Clark Kent appear on screen.

Kent walks through the newsroom of The Daily Planet, where viewers meet his love interest, fellow journalist Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), before he's shown back at home with Pa Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince).

The breadth of his power is put on full display, as he's shown rescuing a young girl from an explosion and battling numerous frightening foes.

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

And DC Universe stars Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) also make cameos.

Corenswet joins a long line of actors who have played the Man of Steel on the big screen, dating back to a 1948 film serial starring Kirk Alyn.

George Reeves starred in the first Superman feature film in 1951, but Christopher Reeve played the first true big-screen/major studio Man of Steel in 1978's Superman.

He went on to reprise the role in Superman II, Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, before parting ways with the franchise.

Reeve's life was turned upside down in 1995 when he was paralyzed from the neck down following an equestrian accident.

The new film will hit theaters on July 11, 2025

The Remains Of The Day actor slipped into a coma in October 2004 and died less than a day later at just 52 years old.

Since then, Brandon Routh has played Superman in 2006's Superman Returns and Henry Cavill took up the mantle in 2013's Man Of Steel, 2016's Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice and 2017's Justice League.

Unlike most Superman films, the upcoming Superman will eschew the traditional 'origin story' and instead focus on the character in his mid-20s.

The film will kick off Gunn and DC Studios co-chairman Peter Safran's new franchise, followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which is set for release on June 26, 2026.