David Corenswet talks about challenges wearing Superman suit as he steps into the iconic role in James Gunn’s forthcoming Superman film, offering fresh perspective on the well-known trials heroes face when putting on their legendary costumes. While previous actors like Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, and Tom Holland all endured the struggle of taking bathroom breaks in their superhero attire, Corenswet found the difficulties lay elsewhere.
Comparisons with Past Heroes’ Costume Dilemmas
Since the dawn of comic book movies, many who have portrayed legendary heroes such as Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man have publicly confessed to the relentless challenge of inconvenient bathroom breaks in tight, custom-fitted outfits. Affleck remembered Bale’s advice about insisting on a zipper in the batsuit, while Holland’s own mother reportedly intervened over bathroom issues. Yet, as Corenswet prepared for his role as Superman, he identified a different kind of problem entirely.
A Claustrophobic Experience Inside the Suit
Corenswet revealed a more intense challenge than a lack of zippers—the overwhelming feeling of being enclosed in the closely tailored Superman suit.
“You hear actors who play superheroes talking about squeezing into the suits. I got kind of claustrophobic in the suit the first time, just being constricted in all those places at the same time,”
—David Corenswet, Actor
The new suit departs from previous designs. Unlike former versions with exaggerated features such as spray-on abs, Corenswet’s attire relies on his physique, making the fit especially tight. The details of costume changes also reflect how the role demands physical transformation, with significant weight fluctuations impacting how comfortably the suit fits.
“It was quite snug because they had made it to my proportions when I screen-tested where I weighed about 195 pounds, and when I walked in for my first costume fitting, I weighed about 235, 240 pounds.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
The Battle with Bathroom Breaks: A Minor Concern
While bathroom breaks plagued actors before him, Corenswet described the situation as less of a hurdle, even as the costumers explored practical solutions. Multiple zippers were added, but ultimately, there was no simple fix.
“There are lots of zippers, but there’s no single zipper that allows me to go to the bathroom, which you would think would be quite straightforward,”
—David Corenswet, Actor
“But nothing is straightforward about these things. I mean, we talked about it and we tried, and it was not worth the costs that came with it.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
Instead of an ongoing struggle, Corenswet managed the challenge with the help of his dedicated dresser, Scotty, whose support was crucial to making every costume change efficient and stress-free.
“I never had an issue with that. I had the most amazing dresser you could ask for, Scotty, who was sort of like a, I don’t know, he felt like a mob fixer.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
The professional relationship made getting in and out of the suit far less daunting than for previous wearers of superhero garb.
“He would make excuses for me if I needed, and we got very good together at getting in and out of the suit, so he would do it quite quickly, and I could take breaks if I needed to over the course of a day.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
What David Corenswet’s Experience Means for Future Superheroes
Corenswet’s insights signal a shift in the types of challenges today’s superhero actors might face, especially as costume technology evolves and new directors like James Gunn reinterpret legendary comics characters. His experience also highlights the essential behind-the-scenes teamwork—such as Scotty’s assistance—that makes movie magic possible.
As the highly anticipated Superman film prepares for its theatrical release on July 11, fans and industry insiders will watch closely to see how the next generation of the DCU develops both on screen and in the demanding realities backstage. Characters like the Man of Steel, Batman, and Spider-Man will continue to inspire, but their actors’ unique stories behind the mask—dealing with everything from weight gain to team support—will remain a vital part of the superhero narrative.
