Back to News
Superman Soars Above London in First-Ever Skyline Sculpture at The Shard
This striking spectacle represents an unprecedented moment for the iconic skyscraper, featuring the highest-ever public sculpture display in the UK.
With the new film’s tagline ‘Look Up’, London was invited to do exactly that, with the figure visible from up to 40 miles away for an entire day, at times circled by two Daily Planet branded helicopters, a nod to the iconic newspaper in the film. Meanwhile, three of the film’s stars – David Corenswet (Clarke Kent / Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) – made an appearance on the spire’s highest platform beneath the sculpture.
Based on 3D scans and extensive reference of the actor and costume and in close consultation of filmmakers, the sculpture consists of a welded steel framework – appropriate for the hero known as the ‘Man of Steel’ – with a fibreglass body moulded in ECO resin, supported by galvanised steel cables attaching it to the iconic building.
Four months in the making and over 2,000 man hours with a team of over 20 working around the clock, the 120kg sculpture even had to be constructed from its 9 complex sections yesterday at the very top platform of the Shard, before being hoisted into position in the early hours of this morning by a team of over twenty.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT THE ACTIVATION
- Statue is 11ft/3.5m tall and weighs over 120kg.
- Consists of welded steel framework and a fibreglass body created from ECO resin mould.
- Actor David Corenswet was 3D scanned during production and pose translated to physical figure, supported by extensive references for the costume and cape.
- Pose depicts character with one leg dynamically bent and head looking down, as if hovering protectively over London.
- Statue took four months to create and 2,000 man hours to create by a team of over 20.
- Statue displayed at over 300 metre height, making it the highest ever display of a public sculpture.
- At 310 metres high, The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe.
