In a major technical milestone for the film industry, the 2025 “Superman” feature became the first to utilize “4D-Gaussian Splatting” technology. Developed by visual effects studio Framestore, this neural radiance field technology was implemented to capture “true volumetric data” of actor performances, specifically for the film’s crucial “unstable” holographic messages.
The decision to move away from traditional digital double workflows led to the creation of a custom capture stage featuring “192 machine vision cameras”. This end-to-end framework allowed actors to perform in a “continuous two-minute take” while being surrounded by an RGB light mapping system that perfectly matched the cinematographer’s pre-planned lighting. This approach ensures that fine details—such as “hair strands, subsurface properties, and eye reflections”—respond accurately to camera moves during the final visual effects stage.
The processing power required for this level of detail is immense. Close-up shots necessitated “three hours of processing per frame” and two weeks of total training on an in-house GPU cluster. However, the payoff for post-production is significant: filmmakers can use “virtual cameras” to adjust focal lengths and creative angles long after the shoot has ended, effectively “re-filming” the actors from any angle.
Beyond mere realism, the technology served a core narrative purpose. To depict the “unstable holographic message” from Superman’s Kryptonian parents, Framestore directly manipulated the volumetric data to create “authentic-looking glitches” and interference. By splicing human performances into animated sections, they preserved the emotional impact of the performances while achieving a unique, “corrupted” aesthetic that feels like a real recording fighting through interference.
This innovation marks a shift in how volumetric performances are integrated into blockbuster cinema, prioritizing “authentic human emotion” through cutting-edge data capture.
Buy or rent “Superman” on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Plex and Amazon Prime, or purchase your physical copy on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook + Digital, 4K, Blu-ray and DVD.
NOTE: When you make a purchase using the links in this post, the Superman Homepage receives a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to help support our website.
