The debate over whether Superman should wear his signature red trunks has persisted since the character’s early comic appearances, but new concept art reveals that David Corenswet’s insistence on including them in his costume for James Gunn’s DC Universe film ultimately prevailed. The trunks, iconic in the superhero’s traditional look, were almost omitted in an all-blue version of the suit, as unveiled recently by Graphic/Surface designer Maybelle Pineda.
This behind-the-scenes glimpse into the costume’s development shows that the initial designs featured a suit without the classic red trunks, and the choice to revert to the traditional look was made only at the final stages of pre-production.
How the Trunks Came Back into the Costume at the Last Minute
Director James Gunn has credited Corenswet’s perspective as a central factor in the final design decision. In an interview with Gizmodo, Gunn explained that Corenswet emphasized Superman’s desire to be a symbol of hope who appears approachable rather than intimidating.
We were trying on all these different versions, and we screen tested with trunks and no trunks, and one of the things David said is that Superman wants kids to not be afraid of him,
—James Gunn, Director
He’s this incredibly powerful – could be considered scary – individual and he wants people to like him. He wants to be a symbol of hope and positivity. So he dresses like a professional wrestler. He dresses in a way that makes people unafraid of him, that shows that hope that shows that positivity. And that really clicked in for me.
—James Gunn, Director
Costume designer Judianna Makovsky revealed that the trunks were a recurring point of discussion throughout pre-production, finally being included officially just one day before filming commenced. This last-minute decision underlines how much Corenswet championed the classic red trunks, which ultimately shaped the hero’s on-screen presence.
Context and Impact of the Costume’s Final Design Choice
The public unveiling of the costume confirms that Superman retains his traditional trunks in the new DCU, aligning with Corenswet’s vision and Gunn’s creative direction. The decision reflects a blend of respect for the character’s comic book roots and a thoughtful approach to how Superman is presented to audiences.
Superman’s look is deliberately designed to balance power with accessibility, projecting hope and positivity to viewers, especially younger fans. This costume choice marks the start of a new chapter in DC’s cinematic universe and sets the tone for the portrayal of Superman as both formidable and relatable.
The film is now in theaters, inviting audiences to experience this fresh take on the Man of Steel, while future DCU projects continue to expand the universe.
