SupermandirectorJames Gunnand star David Corenswet reveal why the film brought back the classic red trunks, and the answer is probably the best explanation anyone has given. Superman has one of the most iconic superhero costumes of all time, though one common source of criticism has been the red trunks on the outside of his costume. In 2011, The New 52 relaunch got rid of the red trunks, with Zack Snyder’sMan of Steelpopularizing the idea of a new “trunkless” Superman for mainstream audiences. When David Corenswet’s Superman costume was first unveiled, the return of the red trunks sparked much discussion.
Speaking withFandango, Gunn and Corenswet spoke about the long process of bringing the trunks back to the character. Gunn talked about how he wanted the red trunks since that was the classic Superman look he grew up with, but struggled with finding a way to make them believable. He credits star David Corenswet for providing an explanation for why the trunks were a necessary part of the character to make people less afraid of his power. Corenswet said:
“The problem is, they look kinda silly. You [Gunn] were looking for a way to make them look cool or a function and explanation. My thing was, ‘Maybe they’re supposed to look a little silly.’ Maybe the reason he wears them is to look a little silly. To basically undermine how powerful he really is.”
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“We really went back and forth a lot about the red trunks.”
Gunn continued, saying:
“In this version of the DCU, everyone knows he’s an alien. He shoots beams out of his eyes. He can blow things down with his breath. He’s sort of this terrifying creature. But he really liked kids and human beings and people. He wants kids not to be afraid of him. And that was the thing that made me decide to keep the trunks.”
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With the character often being accused of “wearing his underwear on the outside,” the DCU is opting to embrace that silliness of Superman and make it part of the character to really set Corenswet’s version apart from the one played by Henry Cavill, which was a much darker and more “feared” iteration than any other. Intentional or not, it has a lot in common withDC: The New Frontier’s in-universe explanation of why Batman went from the lone wolf figure of the 1930s to the more family-friendly character from the 1950s and ’60s, where The Dark Knight tells Superman, “I set out to scare criminals, not children.”
Gunn’s design for the Superman costume pulls from many different comic eras.The S-shield is taken from 1996’sKingdom Come, but the neck collar is pulled from the New 52 redesign. Combining the classic red trunks with these elements helps the DCU Superman feel distinct and classic, like everyone’s idea of Superman, but also a unique interpretation that has not been seen before on screen.
WithSupermanticket sales topping Fandango’s biggest ticket seller of 2025, it looks like the summer ofSupermanis in full swing. After years of Superman seeming too old-school for a modern audience, playing second fiddle to Batman, it seems like audiences are in need of a classic hero. He isn’t corny or cheesy, but just good for the sake of good and that seems to be something the world needs right now.
Source:Fandango
