The 2024 Oscar nominations recently unveiled contenders for the Best Visual Effects category, spotlighting James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In a surprising Instagram post, the acclaimed director disclosed that a significant portion of the Oscar-nominated VFX crew from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 would reunite for his upcoming DC venture, Superman: Legacy.
Gunn took to Instagram to express gratitude and extend congratulations to the VFX team that breathed life into the Guardians trilogy. The focus was on production visual effects supervisor Stephane Ceretti, three-time nominee, along with four-time nominee Guy Williams and first-time nominee Theo Bialek. Gunn specifically highlighted their work on characters like Lylla, Teefs, Floor, Rocket, and Groot.
Appreciating the team’s dedication, Gunn emphasized their pivotal role in realizing the fantastical elements of his films. In his words, “Our VFX crew worked tirelessly from top to bottom to create photorealistic characters and outrageous worlds. But I’m so happy they have this honor as well.”
The acclaim for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 extended beyond the Oscars, earning a Critics’ Choice Awards nomination for Best Visual Effects. While the award ultimately went elsewhere, the film remains a contender for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Live-Action Production at the upcoming Annie Awards.
A notable sequence, The Hallway Fight, orchestrated by the Wētā FX team under Guy Williams’ supervision, garnered widespread acclaim. Williams shared insights into the meticulous planning behind the scene, comprising 18 shots over three days with intricate stunt choreography, establishing it as a focal point for the film’s success.
As James Gunn gears up for Superman: Legacy, fans can anticipate the seamless continuation of visual magic crafted by this exceptional VFX team.
