‘Superman’ Director James Gunn Asked Zack Snyder About Red Trunks

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As a seasoned cinephile who’s seen more superhero movies than I care to count, I must admit that James Gunn’s take on Superman has managed to rekindle my love for the genre. The return of the iconic red trunks is just one of the many ways this film pays homage to the comics in a refreshing and unapologetic manner.

The trailer for James Gunn’s revamped version of Superman broke records this month, perfectly timed for holiday viewing. This film marks the beginning of a new era in the DC Universe on the big screen. Despite the heavy responsibility of setting the tone for an entire cinematic universe, Superman isn’t shy about bucking trends and offering a vibrant, comic-book faithful portrayal of the original character. Even daring to bring back one of his most contentious features in a movie adaptation – the iconic red trunks.

A conversation took place between Gunn and Zack Snyder during the week when the Superman trailer was released (as reported by Screen Brief). It was then that Gunn disclosed that he had previously talked about incorporating red briefs into Superman’s suit with director Man of Steel, Zack Snyder. The portrayal of the Kryptonian hero, played by Henry Cavill in this version, boasted one of the most impressive superhero film costumes ever made, but notably lacked the red underwear. Although Christopher Reeve’s Superman wore trunks, it was generally considered challenging to make it work in today’s movie world. During their discussion, Gunn shared Snyder’s difficulties in including the famous article of clothing.

It was progressing well, but it featured a red trunk, which caused much debate. We discussed this extensively, even consulting Zack Snyder about it. He mentioned he had experimented with countless variations of the red trunk and never managed to make it work. I understood his predicament.

I hadn’t realized there were trunks available. I tried to put them on but couldn’t, instead taking them off repeatedly. Upon entering, I was struck by the vibrant colors surrounding me and exclaimed something along the lines of, “Wow, this is quite a sight! Do you like it too?” To which David replied, “I adore it.” And I responded, “Even with all these colors?” He seemed pleased and said, “Yes, indeed.

Fans may be aware that actor David Corenswet, who plays Superman, convinced director James Gunn to include the traditional trunks in the character’s costume. The reasoning behind this was that the red briefs symbolize a wrestling hero, making the powerful alien more of an optimistic icon for children worldwide. It’s not surprising that Gunn initially disagreed with this change given his previous collaborator Zack Snyder had attempted it as well. Yet, it’s interesting to note that Superman is breaking from traditional norms to present a genuine and loyal portrayal of the hero, and early reactions suggest it’s been successful.

‘Superman’ Puts the Focus Back on the Comics

Restoring Superman’s red costume signifies just a small part of the film’s commitment to faithfully adapting comic book lore for mainstream viewers, with David Corenswet making his debut as Kal-El. However, James Gunn’s version of Superman isn’t limiting itself to a single story; instead, it’s introducing numerous DC characters onto the silver screen. Despite being promoted as a solo film, Superman will be set within an intricately woven cinematic universe that features both lesser-known heroes such as Mister Terrific and Green Lantern, as well as iconic villains like Lex Luthor and the Authority.

If you’re unfamiliar with certain names mentioned earlier, that’s intentional. The new DC Universe (DCU), moving away from the discontinued DCEU, is using Superman as a starting point for a fresh franchise, openly appreciative of its source material. Even the initial animated DCU series, Max’s Creature Commandos, has hinted at Justice League members yet to appear on the big screen. While we’re still waiting to see how Superman and its associated cinematic universe will fare, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about the future of DC Studios.

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2024-12-26 20:03