Rhythm and Hues

• Superman Returns

• Warner Bros. Pictures
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Directed by Bryan Singer. VFX Supervisor Derek Spears led the Rhythm & Hues team which produced two key sequences: "New Krypton," featuring giant crystal growth and extreme ocean water simulations, including foam particles, waves, swirling whitewater and ocean mist. Digital stunt doubles were also created, including Superman, as well as matte paintings and environments, and a glass-bottomed CG yacht impaled by a crystal. For the "Fortress of Solitude" sequence, R&H produced interior digital set extensions with crystal translucency to augment the production-built set where Lex Luthor discovers some of Superman's secrets, including the mysterious reappearance of Superman's father, Jor-El, played by Marlon Brando, who was deceased at the time of production. Geometry of Brando’s face was captured from a '70’s era plaster cast, (made for "Apocalypse Now"), which was then 3D modeled, textured and animated from both partial projections and by the actor's own mouth phoneme shapes captured from previous on-screen performances.