David Corenswet’s Trunks Take on Superman: Why He Wants Them Back!

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When creating the outfit for the Steel Man, there are certain non-negotiable aspects. He must wear a cape, disregarding Edna Mode’s advice against capes. (No capes!) And he should always have that large “S” emblem on his chest. These features are integral to Superman’s identity. What you might not know, though, is the amount of debate surrounding the inclusion of shorts or briefs in the Superman costume design. Over time, various directors have added their unique twist to the character, with Zack Snyder being particularly notable for his “No Shorts” stance in his portrayal alongside Henry Cavill – a choice that has been well-received by fans.

During TopMob’s visit to Cleveland, Ohio, where James Gunn is filming his new DC movie titled Superman, we were curious to understand the ongoing debate about Trunks, specifically regarding David Corenswet‘s character Kal-El. In the initial photo and teaser trailer of Superman, it appears that Gunn’s Superman wears shorts. When discussing this with Corenswet, we inquired if he had ever supported the ‘No Trunks’ camp. To which he responded directly to CInemaBlend: “Yes, I did.

No. Not even for a minute.

There you have it. The definitive answer, directly from the new Superman’s mouth.

In the afternoon, we had an extended conversation with James Gunn, during which he provided insights into David Corenswet’s methodology regarding the costume and why the actor strongly advocated for the red shorts, a decision some might attribute to the Superman costume designer Judianna Makovsky. However, as Gunn explained, there was extensive dialogue surrounding this choice, with Corenswet successfully persuading Gunn, who initially sided with the “No Trunks” faction, to adopt the design. Gunn put it thusly:

One point David made is that Superman encourages children not to fear him despite being an alien with extraordinary abilities, such as shooting beams from his eyes and the power to overturn trucks. Given his immense strength, he might appear intimidating or even scary. However, his goal is to be admired and seen as a symbol of hope and optimism. To achieve this, Superman adopts a costume reminiscent of a professional wrestler, one that communicates safety and friendliness. This idea resonated with me.

I can relate to that as well. Could it be that this Superman (Corenswet) is going to have a more family-friendly vibe? Maybe so. Based on the early previews, he has a pet dog named Krypto and seems to enjoy flying with a smile on his face. However, don’t let that fool you – he’ll still be battling colossal alien creatures, standing firm against threats from Lex Luthor (Nicolas Hoult), and putting himself on the line to protect our planet. This new Superman seems to embody hope and optimism a bit more than the character portrayed in Zack Snyder’s universe. So, you won’t have to worry about anyone getting their neck snapped during this summer’s DC blockbuster. That’s my take on it, at least!

Consider these smaller aspects when you’re watching Superman, set to premiere on July 11 as part of the 2025 movie lineup. These seemingly trivial decisions reveal significant insights about the characters that might not be immediately apparent. For example, David Corenswet sees the red trunks not just as ordinary clothing but rather a thoughtful choice by this extraterrestrial character to make children feel more at ease in his company. I find that endearing.

Make sure you have your tickets to Superman so you can see it on opening day.

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2025-07-04 15:37