BTS (Behind the Scenes) footage of the upcoming 2025 Superman revealed the tools used to shoot the movie. First, this is not a ‘Filmed in IMAX’ movie, as the cameras are digital. Superman is being shot by the RED Digital Cinema shooter Henry Braham, BSC on the RED V-Raptor (and Komodo?) using Braham’s favorite gimbal, which is the Stabileye Nano.
Superman 2025
Superman is an upcoming American superhero film based on DC Comics featuring the eponymous character. Produced by DC Studios and to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it will be the first film in the DC Universe (DCU) and a reboot of the Superman film series. The film is written and directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman. The cinematographer is Henry Braham, BSC. Principal photography began on February, 2024. Filming took place there for one week to shoot scenes featuring the Fortress of Solitude. Gunn chose Svalbard for its natural beauty, landscapes, and similarities to the Arctic. Filming occurs under the working title Genesis. Braham, who is Gunn’s cinematic partner has returned as cinematographer from the later two Guardians of the Galaxy films, The Suicide Squad, and The Flash. Filming was delayed from an initial January 2024 start by the SAG-AFTRA strike and was expected to last around four months.
James Gunn: “The whole movie is shot in IMAX”
As mentioned by numerous outlets: “The film is being shot entirely in IMAX”. This statement is based on Gunn’s Thread post which states: “The whole movie is shot in IMAX”. However, this is not completely true, as BTS revealed that the tools Braham is using are digital cameras which are not IMAX film, but IMAX Certified. Superman is 100% being shot digitally on RED Digital Cinema DSMC3 bodies. This is not a surprise since Braham is a RED fan and uses RED cameras to shoot its blockbusters, in that case, it might be the RED V-Raptor, Komodo, on a rig that is similar to the Stabileye Nano.
RED + Stabileye Nano
As Baham said before: “Good cinematography is not about a shot, but a collection of shots and how the camera moves”. As explained, Braham likes the compactness and form factor of the RED camera to be paired with the maneuverability that the Stabileye Nano offers. He utilized the same technique while shooting The Flash, The Suicide Squad, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This setup allows him to shoot freely, making those kinetic shots nice and easy. In the BTS pictures is hard to see if the RED camera is Raptor or Komodo, but judging on Braham style, it might be both as they can be perfectly, matched. As for IMAX, only the RED V-Raptor is IMAX-Certified (the Komodo is not).
Superman is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on July 11, 2025. It is set to be the first film of the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.
Product List
Here are the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Red Digital Cinema V-RAPTOR 8K VV DSMC3 Camera
Thanks Yossy for correcting Mr. Gunn’s Bullshit quote on “shot in IMAX”. When even DOPs and Directors can’t, or don’t want to, differentiate essential fundamental Cinematography Tools, then the Customer is hopeless fooled even more, which does NOT help the Cinema Situation period.
For everyone, there is only ONE IMAX Format, and only ONE sort of IMAX Cameras, this is
IMAX 15/70mm Analog Film (Format)
IMAX 15/70mm Analog Film Cameras
On digital side, NOT EVEN one “certified” actual used Camera was “developed” for digital IMAX (which is only 4K anyway), the only exception to me is the Phantom 65 3D, which there is a good Article on this Website here.
ALL other “certified” BS labeled Cameras are just basic actual DCI 4K Cameras, used for every Non-IMAX Production too. So there is nothing special, only Marketing.
P.S. a digital Cine Video Camera CAN NOT “film”, it’s recording Video. There is no comparison to the extra effort to a real FILM Production.
And since really EVERY Camera, Sony FX3, GoPro with the argument of “upscaled AI Resolution”.. is allowed on their Screens, there is not even a fraction of a “Standard” any more, thanks the leaders of the actual IMAX Company themselves. So there is no Headline any more worth it in the Future, if it ain’t real 15/70mm Film.
RED DIGITAL CINEMA CAMERA ROCKS!