The question of whether Superman should wear trunks has long been a contentious topic among fans, with online debates dividing those who prefer the classic look and those who favor a more modern design. Henry Cavill’s Superman suit notably excluded trunks, while Brandon Routh’s Man of Steel maintained the traditional aesthetic. When David Corenswet was cast as the new Superman in James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe film, speculation over the suit’s design reignited.

Gunn finally addressed the decision during a set visit, attended by Heroic Hollywood and other outlets, where he explained why Corenswet’s Superman brings the trunks back. The choice to include trunks reflects both a creative decision and a deeper understanding of the character’s role as a symbol of hope.

“At the end of the day, it wasn’t that heated; it was heated for a while,” Gunn revealed. “I was on the no-trunks team for a long time. For a long time. And Zack [Snyder] said that when he was doing it, he tried a billion different trunk versions, as we did. And I kept going back to no trunks, trunks, no trunks. And I’m like, well, let’s just grind it out. Let’s just keep trying trunks and see what happens. And David [Corenswet] said something to me that really affected me. 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.”

The symbolism behind Superman’s costume design in the DC Universe

Gunn elaborated on Corenswet’s perspective, emphasizing how the suit’s design ties into Superman’s role as a symbol of hope. “He’s an alien. He’s got these incredible powers. He shoots beams out of his eyes, can blow the truck over. 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. And I was like, that really clicked in for me.”

For Gunn, this realization led to a deeper understanding of the superhero’s aesthetic. “I think trying to pretend that Superman’s costume doesn’t have some frivolity to it at its base, trying to make it look serious is silly because he is a superhero. He’s the first one, brightly colored, and that’s who he is. And so that’s where we landed, and eventually, we all came to a place where almost all of us agreed on the trunks.”

The return of the trunks is more than a nod to tradition — it reflects Superman’s core mission to inspire hope and reassurance in those around him. Gunn’s decision to stick with Superman’s classic look shows his dedication to capturing the hero’s timeless charm while paving the way for an exciting new chapter in the DC Universe, which kicked off with Creature Commandos, now streaming on Max.

Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe.