The highly anticipated Superman 2025, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, has come under heavy criticism following early screenings. What should have been a triumphant reintroduction of Superman into the DC cinematic universe has been overshadowed by a glaring technical flaw: a faulty CGI sequence that many film critics are calling “the most ridiculous mistake ever seen in a modern superhero blockbuster.”
The Scene That Sparked Controversy
According to multiple reviews, the scene in question involves a major battle sequence where Superman is shown soaring through the skies of Metropolis. Instead of delivering the jaw-dropping visuals fans expected, the CGI reportedly collapses into what critics describe as “unfinished textures, awkward physics, and immersion-breaking glitches.” Some compared it to outdated visual effects from two decades ago, while others suggested it looked like a rushed video game cutscene rather than a $200 million superhero movie.
Critics React
“Never in my career have I seen such a jarring disconnect between the scale of a film and the quality of its visual effects,” wrote one veteran critic. Another review bluntly described the scene as “a disaster that undermines everything else in the film.”
The backlash has been swift and severe. While some critics praised Corenswet’s performance and Gunn’s attempt at a fresh, hopeful tone, many argued that the faulty CGI completely distracted from the storytelling. “It’s hard to take Superman seriously when his cape looks like it was copy-pasted from a cheap animation,” one critic noted.
Fans of James Gunn Feel the Heat
For James Gunn, who took over the creative leadership of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, this is an especially embarrassing moment. Gunn has been hailed as the visionary behind Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and praised for revitalizing The Suicide Squad. Expectations for his Superman reboot were sky-high.
Now, however, some of Gunn’s most loyal supporters are finding themselves on the defensive. Online fan communities have expressed frustration, with many admitting they feel embarrassed by the poor CGI. “We defended Gunn for years, and now this? It’s humiliating,” one fan posted on Reddit. Others argued that while the story and casting choices were promising, Warner Bros. may have rushed the film into release before the visual effects were properly finished.
The Bigger Picture for DC
The controversy surrounding Superman 2025 raises deeper questions about DC Studios’ ability to compete with Marvel in terms of production value. After years of uneven films, from Batman v Superman to Justice League, Gunn was expected to set a new gold standard for the franchise. Instead, the studio finds itself once again facing negative headlines.
Some insiders suggest that the backlash could impact the film’s box office performance, especially if word of mouth continues to highlight the faulty CGI as a major flaw. Others remain hopeful that audiences will still be drawn to the film’s heart, tone, and Cavill’s successor, David Corenswet, who has been widely praised for capturing Superman’s idealism.
What Comes Next?
Warner Bros. has yet to release an official statement addressing the CGI criticism, but speculation is growing that the studio may consider a post-release patch for digital versions of the movie, similar to what happened with Cats in 2019. Whether or not that will be enough to redeem the film’s reputation remains to be seen.
For now, one thing is clear: Superman 2025 has not delivered the flawless relaunch that fans were hoping for. And for James Gunn, the faulty CGI has become a very public stumbling block—one that critics and audiences won’t soon forget.
