Mind-Blowing CGI: Unveiling the Astonishing Gemini Man Scene Where Will Smith Goes Completely Digital!

Summary

Entirely CGI-rendered, Will Smith's character in Gemini Man showcases the remarkable efforts of the effects team, as revealed by visual effects supervisor Guy Williams.

The CGI used in Gemini Man demonstrates the impressive capabilities and potential of the technology to seamlessly replicate every minute detail of the real-life Smith, such as pores and sweat. Even the slightest error in the movements between the CGI and real-life Smith could completely spoil the shot. This showcases the ability of CGI to replace actors in scenes, often going unnoticed by viewers.

Visual effects supervisor Guy Williams recently disclosed that there was a scene in Gemini Man where Will Smith's character was entirely created using CGI, without attracting much attention. Smith played Henry Brogan, a retired assassin confronting his own clone, in the 2019 action thriller. To bring the younger clone, known as Junior, to life, Smith's appearance was digitally altered and aged down in the movie, allowing him to act opposite himself.

During an interview with Corridor Crew, Williams revealed that the motorcycle chase sequence in Colombia featured another instance where Smith was entirely transformed into a digital creation. As Henry abruptly stops and retrieves a gun, wide-angle shots show a stunt person with Smith's face superimposed on them riding the bike. However, for the close-up shot of Henry drawing the firearm, Williams stated that the depiction of Smith on screen was entirely computer-generated. You can read more about Williams' remarks on this scene below or watch the video at the 6:58 mark.

Gemini Man's Effects Team Went To Impressive Lengths to Digitize Will Smith

We tasked him with the responsibility, but unfortunately, he lacked the ability to maneuver the bicycle to the intended location. Consequently, we were compelled to execute a rather intricate transformation, shifting from a stunt performer on a bicycle to the esteemed actor, Will Smith. Thus, once you arrive at this point, the transition becomes even more challenging compared to simply continuing the scene until its conclusion.

Williams extensively delves into the meticulous efforts that were invested in breathing life into the CGI representation of Smith in Gemini Man. It becomes evident that an immense amount of meticulous planning and dedication was dedicated to each and every shot. For instance, the visual effects team faced the arduous challenge of flawlessly replicating every minuscule detail of the real Smith onto his digital counterpart, including his pores and the tiny droplets of perspiration. Gemini Man utilized revolutionary technology and was filmed at an astonishing 120 frames-per-second in stunning 4K resolution, leaving absolutely no room for error, particularly in the case of close-up shots.

Junior faced even higher stakes when it came to the special effects. Even the slightest error in the transitions between real-life Smith and his digital counterpart had the potential to ruin the entire shot, according to Williams. He mentioned that director Ang Lee provided feedback to the effects team, and they could tell when they had made a mistake if Lee commented that Junior resembled a real person, but not Smith himself – rather, his cousin. With Lee's vision of Gemini Man being designed for 3D viewing at 120 fps and 4K resolution, the crew took great care in bringing this vision to life. This included meticulously creating pores that expanded and adjusting Junior's melanin density to match his facial movements.

In today's Hollywood, it is common to use CGI to alter the physical appearance of actors, and Smith is familiar with this practice, as evidenced by his work in Disney's live-action Aladdin in 2019. The quality of CGI can vary greatly, ranging from impressive and realistic to crossing into the eerie realm of the uncanny valley. The fact that the shot in Gemini Man went unnoticed for such a long time, despite the frequent and obvious use of CGI throughout the film, showcases the immense power of this technology and its potential to replace actors in scenes where their presence would typically be expected.

Source: Corridor Crew