The DCU has long been the theater of endless debates and fiery fan disputes, and the recent one, linked to James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film, doesn’t break the trend. From the recently dropped teaser trailer, fans have taken in every bit that comes their way, specifically zeroing in on one very specific detail: David Corenswet’s Superman looks cross-eyed or strabismus, in one flying shot. What’s arguably a minor detail has blown out into a full-blown controversy, rehashing debates about the direction of the DCU under Gunn’s leadership and the legacy of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.
The Superman Teaser That Started It All
In late January 2025, Warner Bros. and DC Studios released a teaser trailer for Superman; it gave fans their first look at David Corenswet as Superman. The visuals were stunning everything from Superman flying over icy landscapes in Svalbard, Norway, to a close-up shot of his face flying toward the camera. As attractive as the trailer was to many, one particular shot seemed to stand out not for the right reasons.
Literally at the tail end of this teaser, the full-velocity flight of Superman Corenswet cuts into a close-up of his face. In just a few beats, it took over the Internet, with more and more folks joking about a seeming cross-eyed Superman. Suddenly, theories on everything from shoddy CGI to a possible wide-angle lens causing the so-called defect circulated like wildfire across the Internet. It reached a point whereby James Gunn had to intervene and clear the air himself.
Gunn took to Threads to respond to the criticism, saying, “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 is 100% real as is David”. While Gunn’s explanation shed light, it did little to dampen the online frenzy as fans continued poking fun at the shot, with many referencing the infamous CGI mustache removal in Justice League 2017.
The Downfall of the DC Universe: A Fan Perspective
But this cross-eyed Superman controversy is just another chapter in a long story of struggles with DCU. Many fans point to the decision of Warner Bros. to let go of Zack Snyder, the innovative director of Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as the true beginning of their downfall. Snyder’s dark, more grounded take on Superman starring Henry Cavill really struck a chord with folks out there dedicated legion of fans who have yet to stop proclaiming that he, finally, is the real Superman.
The news of James Gunn rebooting the DCEU sent many fans into a frenzy. Gunn, with his Guardians of the Galaxy movies, had taken the superhero genre lighthearted and more comedic in contrast to Snyder’s dark and philosophical take. Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies have been commercially successful but polarizing, with some accusing him of undermining the gravitas of DC’s iconic characters.
The decision to reboot the DCU entirely, effectively erasing Snyder’s contributions, alienated a significant portion of the fanbase. To many, Man of Steel remains the greatest Superman movie of all time, and Henry Cavill’s portrayal of the character is seen as the gold standard. This was further fueled by the fact that Cavill was unceremoniously replaced by David Corenswet, with fans accusing Warner Bros. of disrespecting not only the actor but also the legacy of the character.
Does the Cross-eyed Controversy Indicate a More Serious Issue?
But this crossed-eyed shot of Superman in the teaser has ironically become a metaphor for the broad range of critiques against James Gunn’s DCU, as it reflects the studio not paying attention to minute details or even caring too much about source material for a lot of fans. That such a major misstep slipped into the teaser has led some to doubt that Gunn and his team are invested in trying to provide a very faithful adaptation of Superman’s story.
The backlash also brought into sharp relief the deep divide between DCEU fans and those who support Gunn’s vision for the DCU. Social media has been filled with DCEU loyalists who have been quick to mock the teaser, including some who feel the cross-eyed shot is some sort of bad omen, a sign the new Superman movie is doomed. Memes of Corenswet’s Superman next to Cavill’s iconic portrayal surfaced everywhere, fueling even further the perception that Gunn’s DCU is a step backward for the franchise.
Several memes that fans created about James Gunn’s cross-eyed Superman:
The Road Ahead: Can Gunn Win Over the Fans?
But Gunn has an uphill battle to convince the skeptics, as the cross-eyed controversy only set in stone the idea that his Superman was diametrically opposite to what fans want from the character. If he is to succeed, he will have to confront those issues head-on and prove he can respect the legacy of the character while offering something new and different.
Conclusion: A Universe in Flux
First appearing earlier this month, the cross-eyed Superman meme is more than just an internet joke; it’s reflective of the kinds of challenges the DCU will face as it tries to redefine itself under the James Gunn regime. As much as the teaser trailer has set tongues wagging, it’s also managed to reinvigorate interest in a franchise-proof that Superman endures as one of the most indelible and beloved creations in popular culture.
With the release date for Superman fast approaching, the world will indeed be watching Gunn and his team to see if they can pull off a movie worthy of the Man of Steel’s legacy. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure: Gunn’s DCU will keep being a debate, and, yes, the occasional meme.