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The Wētā FX team is soaring to new heights, as they supported the newest blockbuster hit, “Superman”. We caught up with four-time Academy Award nominee and Senior VFX Supervisor Guy Williams who captained the Wētā FX team on this film. Guy offers some insight into the upcoming SIGGRAPH 2025 Production Session, “Superman: Harnessing Numeric Power for Cinematic Magic“.
SIGGRAPH: SIGGRAPH 2025 attendees are ready to soar with your session “Superman: Harnessing Numeric Power for Cinematic Magic”. What was the main driver to submit this work to share with the SIGGRAPH audience?
Guy Williams (GW): It is always fun to work on projects like “Superman”, but I still remember all those years ago when I first went to SIGGRAPH and had the opportunity to learn from professionals in the industry. Many people took time to talk to me and give advice that has long since helped shape my path through my career. I feel a strong sense of obligation to repay that and share the work that I and the talented people at Wētā FX do with the next generation of talent.
SIGGRAPH: Having worked with James Gunn on previous projects, what was it like to collaborate and showcase all that Wētā FX has to offer?
GW: James is a blast to work with; he has a razor sharp wit. He also challenges the heck out of you when you work with him. He cues up really hard work and then only accepts the best result, so it all balances out in the end.
SIGGRAPH: Let’s talk about the city setting in the movie itself. With many intricate details and unique shots, how did your team go about the CG work needed for the city environment?
GW: Building a city like this isn’t that hard; the challenge is making sure you have the commitment to go all the way. If you want to do it right, you need to create all the details. You need to model dressed interiors to the buildings with blinds on the windows; you need to have all the bollards, street signs, garbage cans, and plants. The biggest challenge is getting everyone on board to do a very committed build, then you all work hard to make sure that all of the details make it onto the screen.
SIGGRAPH: Stepping back from work itself, working on a film about one of the most iconic superheroes has to be a surreal feeling. What were some of your favorite memories from working on this film?
GW: Honestly, It was watching Edi Gathegi play the part of Mr. Terrific. He was amazing to watch.
SIGGRAPH: What should SIGGRAPH 2025 attendees look forward to most during your Production Session in Vancouver?
GW: Hard to say. The talk is full of material covering most of our work on the show — we look forward to sharing it with everyone!
The time is now! SIGGRAPH 2025 is right around the corner. Can’t join us in Metropolis … we mean, Vancouver? Explore our Virtual Access registration to enjoy specific events from the conference wherever you are in the world.
Four-time Academy Award nominee Guy Williams has supervised some of Wētā FX’s most challenging and ground-breaking projects.
With over twenty-five years’ experience in visual effects, Guy collaborates with filmmakers to realise their storytelling vision at every stage of the VFX process. He has recently completed James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3, which earned him a fourth Academy Award® nomination.
Guy supervised VFX on Gemini Man (2019), creating a digital young Will Smith who is on screen with the real Will Smith throughout the whole 3D, 120fps, 4K-resolution film. He also recently supervised Wētā’s work on the live-action remake of Disney’s classic, Lady and the Tramp (2019).
Receiving an Academy Award nomination for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Guy led the team in marrying math with art to create the massive Planet Ego and the fast-paced action that constantly moves around it. He was also nominated for both Academy Awards and BAFTAs for the complex digital environments and wild third-act battles in Iron Man 3 (2013) and The Avengers (2012).
For Steven Spielberg’s The BFG (2016), Guy supervised on set alongside Wētā’s Joe Letteri as they mastered simultaneous performance capture on the live-action and virtual stages.
Guy joined Wētā in 1999 to work on Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. His work as CG Supervisor on King Kong (2005) won him a VES Award and he was a VFX Supervisor on James Cameron’s game-changing Avatar (2009). He is an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
