Overview
- Verbinski says Unreal introduces a gaming aesthetic to cinema when used for finished effects instead of limiting it to previsualization or virtual sets.
- He contends the engine handles light, subsurface scattering, and skin reflection differently from traditional pipelines, leading to less convincing results.
- He argues the growing use of Unreal for final rendering contributes to uncanny digital doubles and movement that breaks the illusion of realism.
- He maintains the approach can work for stylized or heightened worlds, citing Marvel projects, but says it fails for strict photo-real creature or human animation.
- His remarks, made after his 2025 festival premiere and reported this week by outlets including PC Gamer and GeekTyrant, add to the ongoing debate over virtual production and tool choices.