Even VFX Haters Are Amazed by How This One ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Scene Was Filmed

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen more than my fair share of special effects in movies and games alike. From the groundbreaking visuals of the original Matrix to the jaw-dropping realism of modern games like Cyberpunk 2077, I’ve come to appreciate the artistry and technical skill that goes into creating believable digital worlds.


For numerous enthusiasts, the movie starring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, titled Deadpool & Wolverine, was the most eagerly awaited film of the year. Living up to expectations, the film is currently performing exceptionally well in cinemas. Marvel Studios are reaping significant profits from this box office hit, which is why it continues to generate conversations among fans.

To this point, our conversations have primarily centered around Easter Eggs and theories associated with the film, however, there’s one technical detail we’ve merely touched upon – the special effects. Critics have pointed out certain scenes and labeled the movie as over-reliant on computer-generated imagery (CGI). But here’s an interesting twist: it’s not all as it seems.

Specifically, one exceptional sequence from the movie “Deadpool & Wolverine” caught viewers’ interest due to its skillful execution. In fact, this scene was so impressive that even those who typically dislike visual effects found themselves compelled to compliment it – a point you’ll understand better as you continue reading the article.

In a freshly unveiled video, Swen Gillberg, responsible for visual effects in the film, detailed the process behind crafting the sequences where Cassandra Nova’s hands seemingly penetrated other characters’ faces, with Paradox and Deadpool being key examples (though Deadpool was less intricate due to his mask). This effect is considered one of the most stunning visual effects moments in the entire movie. Here’s a summary of his comments:

One memorable sequence involves Cassandra’s hands passing through Mr. Paradox’s face, offering a close-up view of every pore on his skin. This scene is both visually stunning and somewhat uncomfortable to watch. During our creative process, we experimented with various skin thicknesses, and I found the thinner option more appealing as it allowed for greater detail, such as the visibility of Cassandra’s knuckles imprinted on Mr. Paradox’s skin.

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the skull peeking from those character heads, and she certainly knows how to dance around it! When those digital fingers graze over the eyeballs, they just pop out, adding an exciting touch to the scene. [MUSIC PLAYING] To create this unique effect, Shawn and his team drew inspiration from comic books. We aimed to replicate specific frames where the character shoots straight up through here and her fingers poke out from the nostrils, eyeballs, and ears.

In various cases where we’re swapping limbs or faces, we frequently place tracking markers. Since Emma’s hand needs to be moved, we simply set it aside or out of the frame. On the filming day, we carry out clean plates to tidy up the arm and hand. Later, in post-production, we create a fully digital hand and arm, followed by a predominantly digital face for Matthew Macfadyen.

Next, we’ll delve into intricate animation detail, focusing on accurately depicting the fingers gliding across the skull, over the forehead, and even dipping into the eye socket. Following this, we’ll proceed to a concluding, detailed sculpting and creature phase. It is during this stage that finer details such as a ring on her finger would become apparent, visible on the knuckle.

Source: YouTube

Immediately following its release, many viewers expressed their approval for the scene, with even the critics who typically dislike visual effects (VFX) and excessive computer-generated imagery (CGI) agreeing that it was outstanding.

The hands through the face is one of the best CGI moments in The MCU it looked real and trippy

Huge props to the VFX team they cooked

– @DoomBlazer

In many movies, this portrayal of telepathy stands out as particularly imaginative. It’s as if she reaches into your mind, exploring the depths of your thoughts as if they were secrets buried within your consciousness. Although it may be unsettling, it does convey the essence of telepathy effectively.

– @Nicholas_Chen_

It’s astonishing how much discussion Emma Corrin’s portrayal of Cassandra Nova has been overlooked. They delivered a stellar performance in the role, capturing Cassandra’s sinister, distorted personality from the comics brilliantly. The visual effects of their hands penetrating through people’s heads were outstanding, with the VFX team doing an exceptional job in creating seamless finger movements that seemed to travel beneath the skin, adding a chilling sense of sadistic danger and unnerving terror to the scenes.

– @milkiassamuel780

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2024-08-31 14:44