James Gunn’s decision on Superman suit design in movie marks a pivotal moment for the iconic DC character, as the upcoming Superman film led by David Corenswet reintroduces the classic red trunks after years of debate among filmmakers and fans. Blending tradition and creative discussions with input from Zack Snyder and Corenswet himself, the new design reflects Gunn’s vision for Superman’s presence in a world already familiar with metahumans.
Debating Trunks: The Longstanding Costume Dilemma
Since Superman’s debut in Action Comics #1 back in 1938, the famous red trunks have played a significant role in defining his look. The subject became contentious when, in 2011, DC Comics reimagined the superhero’s attire, discarding the trunks for a red belt as part of its New 52 relaunch. When Zack Snyder directed Man of Steel in 2013, Henry Cavill’s Superman costume carried this change forward, continuing both in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, while Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman & Lois on television shared the same trunkless style.
The last cinematic Superman to feature trunks before the recent shift was Brandon Routh in 2006’s Superman Returns—an intentional homage to both Christopher Reeve’s era and the original Richard Donner-directed film. Now, almost twenty years later, the trunks are making a comeback in James Gunn’s Superman, signifying both a return to roots and a creative reevaluation.
Crafting a Fresh Superman Look with Classic Touches
In collaboration with Academy Award-nominated costume designer Judianna Makovsky—known for her work on Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Avengers: Endgame—Gunn set out to construct a new yet familiar Superman suit. The result features an Alex Ross-inspired emblem, a raised collar, bold piping reminiscent of the New 52 era, and the contentious red trunks.
Gunn’s intentions for the suit were clear:
“The only thing I knew is that I didn’t want [the suit] to look too much like a wet T-shirt. I didn’t want to have muscles built into the suit,”
—James Gunn, Director
He continued, emphasizing the need for believability in a universe filled with extraordinary beings:
“I wanted to create a world where metahumans actually existed, but also, that they wore these [suits] for various reasons, and that it was, in a way, a uniform.”
—James Gunn, Director
This line of thinking extended to other heroes in the film, such as Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), each equipped with distinctive LordTech “Justice Gang” uniforms, showcasing the film’s broader approach to superhuman fashion.
Involving Key Voices: Collaboration with Makovsky and the Cast
Determined to avoid a muscle-shaped bodysuit, Gunn took a methodical approach.
“I just kind of went from there working with Judianna, who did all my costumes from Guardians of the Galaxy, and just taking it bit by bit by bit until we ended up with the beautiful suit that we ended up with,”
—James Gunn, Director
The creative journey was interactive, too, as the director highlighted the importance of input from the star:
“And getting David’s input, frankly, as we sort of built it up around him, getting his ideas.”
—James Gunn, Director
This process demonstrates the collaborative spirit that shaped not only the suit but also its function and symbolism within the film’s universe.
Zack Snyder’s Influence and the Trunks Debate Revisited
Perhaps the most pivotal moment in James Gunn’s decision on Superman suit design in movie came during conversations about whether or not to keep the trunks. Gunn openly discusses having reached out to Zack Snyder for guidance:
“One of the biggest questions was, ‘Were we gonna have trunks, or were we gonna not have trunks?’”
—James Gunn, Director
Gunn recalled Snyder’s experience:
“I talked to Zack Snyder, who was like, ‘I tried a billion different versions with the trunks, and at the end of the day, I tried it, but I just couldn’t get there.’ And I was feeling exactly the same way.”
—James Gunn, Director
Initially leaning towards dropping the trunks, Gunn seriously weighed the arguments until a surprising suggestion changed the direction of the debate.
David Corenswet’s Unexpected Perspective
Corenswet, who portrays Clark Kent/Superman, contributed a thought-provoking idea that ultimately shifted Gunn’s stance. The actor pointed out the director’s nostalgic connection to the trunks:
“You liked the idea of trunks.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
Gunn acknowledged this, noting his upbringing with the classic look:
“Theoretically, I liked the idea of trunks,”
—James Gunn, Director
He continued,
“because it’s the Superman I grew up with.”
—James Gunn, Director
However, Corenswet argued that the trunks might serve an unexpected function:
“They look kind of silly. You were looking for a way to make them look cool, or you were looking for a function, an explanation to justify having them, and my thing was, ‘Maybe they’re supposed to look a little silly?’ Maybe the reason he wears them is to look a little silly. Basically, to undermine how powerful he really is.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
This insight reframed the idea, suggesting that Superman’s trunks could serve to make him appear less intimidating to ordinary people, intentionally contrasting his overwhelming abilities with a disarming aspect of his costume.
The Final Reason for Keeping the Trunks
Gunn then rooted the creative choice in the worldview of the DC Universe, explaining the significant societal implications of the suit design. The director reasoned that, in a reality where metahumans have been known for centuries, fear of Superman is a real and persistent concern:
“Everyone knows he’s an alien. He shoots beam out of his eyes, he can blow things down with his breath. He’s sort of this terrifying creature. And David saying, ‘But he really likes kids, and human beings, and people. He wants kids to not be afraid of him.’ And so that was the thing that made me decide to keep the trunks.”
—James Gunn, Director
Gunn’s ultimate choice ties the suit design to Superman’s fundamental desire to connect with humanity, especially children. By allowing a visually whimsical element, Superman becomes more relatable and less fearsome to the citizens he protects.
A Star-Studded Cast and Legacy Connections
The new film, written and directed by James Gunn, features David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult stepping into the role of Lex Luthor. Supporting talent includes Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela de Faría as the Engineer, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White.
The film also introduces Alan Tudyk as Superman Robot #4, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. The creative team builds on the legacy of past Superman films, honoring the influence of Christopher Reeve, Richard Donner, and those who shaped the character in prior decades.
Costume Design Inspired by Comic and Cinematic History
Judianna Makovsky’s approach blended iconic elements from various periods in Superman’s history with input from Alex Ross’s illustrative style. The raised collar and elaborate suit piping, reminiscent of the New 52 design, pay tribute to modern comics, while the return of the red trunks cements the film’s connection to the superhero’s original costume. The result is a uniform that honors tradition but feels fresh and appropriate for Gunn’s vision of a world full of metahumans.
This attention to both past and present makes the new Superman suit stand out as a carefully considered symbol, combining seemingly whimsical choices with practical motivations rooted in character psychology and story context.
Anticipating Superman’s Big-Screen Return
Fans can now secure their tickets, as Superman is poised for a theatrical release on July 11. Early buzz and glimpses of the updated suit have stirred interest in how David Corenswet will bring the role to life, and how the film’s attention to visual legacy and psychological realism will resonate with audiences.
The choice to restore the classic trunks, informed by conversations with the likes of Zack Snyder and suggestions from Corenswet, highlights both the enduring debate over Superman’s look and Gunn’s willingness to blend nostalgia with new perspectives. As the film’s release approaches, the decision stands as a testament to the collaborative and reflective spirit guiding DC Studios’ Superman into a new era.
“Superman Will Flip the Script on the Christopher Reeve Movie’s Most Iconic Scene”
—Unattributed
The full implications of James Gunn’s decision on Superman suit design in movie will be revealed when the world gets to see the Man of Steel soar into action, inviting both older fans and new viewers to reconsider the meaning behind superhero symbols in a changing cinematic landscape.
