The query of whether or not Superman ought to put on trunks has lengthy been a contentious subject amongst followers, with on-line debates dividing those that favor the basic look and people who favor a extra trendy design. Henry Cavill’s Superman go well with notably excluded trunks, whereas Brandon Routh’s Man of Metal maintained the normal aesthetic. When David Corenswet was forged as the brand new Superman in James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe movie, hypothesis over the go well with’s design reignited.
Gunn lastly addressed the choice throughout a set go to, attended by Heroic Hollywood and different shops, the place he defined why Corenswet’s Superman brings the trunks again. The selection to incorporate trunks displays each a inventive determination and a deeper understanding of the character’s function as a logo of hope.
“On the finish of the day, it wasn’t that heated; it was heated for some time,” Gunn revealed. “I used to be on the no-trunks staff for a very long time. For a very long time. And Zack [Snyder] mentioned that when he was doing it, he tried a billion completely different trunk variations, as we did. And I stored going again to no trunks, trunks, no trunks. And I’m like, nicely, let’s simply grind it out. Let’s simply preserve attempting trunks and see what occurs. And David [Corenswet] mentioned one thing to me that actually affected me. We have been attempting on all these completely different variations, and we screen-tested with trunks and no trunks. And one of many issues David mentioned is that Superman desires youngsters to not be afraid of him.”
The symbolism behind Superman’s costume design within the DC Universe
Gunn elaborated on Corenswet’s perspective, emphasizing how the go well with’s design ties into Superman’s function as a logo of hope. “He’s an alien. He’s acquired these unimaginable powers. He shoots beams out of his eyes, can blow the truck over. He’s this extremely highly effective, may very well be thought-about scary particular person, and he desires folks to love him. He desires to be a logo of hope and positivity. So he clothes like an expert wrestler, he clothes in a method that makes folks unafraid of him — that exhibits that. And I used to be like, that actually clicked in for me.”
For Gunn, this realization led to a deeper understanding of the superhero’s aesthetic. “I feel attempting to faux that Superman’s costume doesn’t have some frivolity to it at its base, attempting to make it look severe is foolish as a result of he’s a superhero. He’s the primary one, brightly coloured, and that’s who he’s. And in order that’s the place we landed, and finally, all of us got here to a spot the place virtually all of us agreed on the trunks.”
The return of the trunks is greater than a nod to custom — it displays Superman’s core mission to encourage hope and reassurance in these round him. Gunn’s determination to stay with Superman’s basic look exhibits his dedication to capturing the hero’s timeless allure whereas paving the best way for an thrilling new chapter within the DC Universe, which kicked off with Creature Commandos, now streaming on Max.
Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025. Keep tuned for the most recent information relating to the way forward for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe.
