As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with over three decades of passionate viewing under my belt, I must say that the decision to include or exclude Superman’s trademark trunks is one that has always piqued my interest. Being part of the audience for James Gunn’s latest cinematic endeavor, “Superman,” I found myself on a mission to uncover the truth behind this contentious costume debate.
In a significant move for James Gunn, the decision to include trunks in the new Superman outfit was generating quite a buzz. While it might not have been the absolute most crucial choice he’s ever made, it certainly became a hot topic among comic book and superhero enthusiasts who are known for their passionate debates – particularly when it comes to costume details of their beloved characters. After all, Henry Cavill in ‘Man of Steel’, as well as Christopher Reeve before him, didn’t wear trunks. However, both on-screen interpretations and comic book versions have showcased this design element over the years.
When I ventured to Cleveland, Ohio to catch James Gunn and his team filming Superman scenes, I felt compelled to settle the “should they wear trunks, or not” question once and for all. Here’s what I managed to uncover in my investigation.
James Gunn was anti-trunks for a long time.
It became clear that the concept sparked debate on set, as different team members voiced their opinions and Gunn acknowledged that not everyone across all departments fully agreed. Judianna Makovsky, who has been Gunn’s costume designer since “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” followed him to DC for “The Suicide Squad.” In this new project, she was tasked with outfitting Ka-El (Corenswet) for a fresh universe. During a pause in filming, I asked Gunn about the “trunks or no trunks” debate, and he confirmed it to TopMob.
In the end, it didn’t reach an extreme level of intensity. It was intense for a stretch, though. Initially, I strongly advocated against wearing trunks, and I held that stance for quite some time. For quite some time. During this period, Zack [Snyder] experimented with numerous variations of the trunks, just as we did. Yet, my persistence was unwavering as I repeatedly voiced, ‘No trunks, no trunks.’ Eventually, I conceded, ‘Let’s continue working on it and see where it leads.’
Over the years, you can observe multiple versions of Superman’s suit, and it becomes clear how dramatically different they appear when you take off a basic element like the red briefs. In fact, as far back as February 2023, Gunn posted a poll on Twitter to gauge fan preferences regarding this change.
Superman:February 1, 2023
But when it boiled down to the decisive moment, it was the man in the suit who presented an argument that left James Gunn unconvinced.
‘He dresses like a professional wrestler.’
During his discussion on the Superman costume design, director James Gunn shared insights with main actor David Corenswet, who introduced an intriguing twist in the superhero suit discourse. As per Gunn’s account:
David Corenswet shared an insightful remark that left a strong impression on me. We were experimenting with numerous variations, and we even tested some with trunks and others without. One point that stood out to me was when he mentioned Superman’s intention to make children feel safe around him despite being an alien with extraordinary powers. He can emit beams from his eyes and even overturn trucks with ease; yet, he is a powerful individual who could be perceived as scary. However, his goal is to inspire hope and positivity. To achieve this, he adopts the attire of a professional wrestler – dressing in a way that makes people feel less afraid of him, demonstrating his friendly intentions. This idea resonated deeply with me.
Just like many characters in the DC universe, there are two sides that must be considered, and these sides often find themselves at odds. For Batman, one side is the relentless crime fighter patrolling Gotham, while the other is the seemingly carefree billionaire playboy, Bruce Wayne. With Superman, storytellers grapple with the dichotomy of Clark Kent, an ordinary Kansas farm boy, and Kal-El, an extraterrestrial from another planet.
So, as Gunn concluded to TopMob:
It seems unreasonable to try and portray Superman’s costume as completely serious when it inherently has a playful aspect due to its vibrant colors and unique design elements, such as the iconic trunks. As the original superhero, this is simply part of his identity, and over time, most people have grown accustomed to this aspect of his appearance.
To put it simply, I’ve always been fond of it. For me, trunks on a Superman suit weren’t essential for approval, as I appreciated Henry Cavill’s version. However, I’m open to adapt if Gunn and Corenswet believe that’s the best direction.
The upcoming Superman movie by Warner Bros., scheduled for release on July 11, 2025, is set to become a major blockbuster. As we move closer to the film’s premiere, expect more exciting updates from the set. Keep an eye out, as you will get to see the first Superman trailer on Thursday, December 19!
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2024-12-17 20:07