Superman's suit in 2025's The unveiling of Superman's costume was always going to be significant, as its finer details have undergone multiple iterations in DC Comics, often stoking more debate than any other superhero. This is largely thanks to Superman's special status among most other superheroes, with even slight changes to his design prompting backlash as it flies in the face of decades-old traditions.
The DCEU's Man of Steel sparked one of the liveliest David Corenswet's Superman has now re-sparked that debate, and while I can see the merits in both his costume and Henry Cavill's, Corenswet has completely swayed me on the design choices.
David Corenswet Convinced James Gunn The New Superman Costume Should Have Trunks
He Suggested That Superman Shouldn't Be Frightening To Kids
Superman's bright red trunks are often the focal point of debates surrounding his costume design. The DCEU opted out of including them, which was ittedly conducive to its more grounded depiction of the Man of Steel. David Corenswet's Superman, meanwhile, not only sports the trunks but a far more vivid costume overall that's more evocative of Superman's original design. James Gunn recently opened up about the design decision in an interview with ScreenRant's Rob Keyes, revealing how David Corenswet sold him on the more ostentatious option by suggesting that Superman doesn't want anyone, especially kids, to be afraid of him.
"One of the things David said is that Superman wants kids to not be afraid of him. He's an alien. He's got these incredible powers. He shoots beams out of his eyes, can blow a truck over. He's this incredibly powerful, could be considered a 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 positivity. That really clicked in for me."
Why DC Isn't Making Man of Steel 2
According to a new report, Man of Steel 2 isn't in development at Warner Bros. Here's why DC Films cancelled the Superman sequel.
Like James Gunn, I think Corenswet's argument makes so much sense. James Gunn clarified that the decision came after a long period of hesitation, where disagreements among the filmmakers saw them testing the suit with and without trunks - which, incidentally, also occurred during the development for Man of Steel. Humanizing Superman by having him resemble a pro-wrestler and their famously ostentatious outfits is inspired, and speaks to the deeper reasoning behind Superman's motives as the most powerful being on Earth.
Why David Corenswet Was Right About The Superman Costume Being Colorful
Superman's Characterization Hinges On Being A Symbol Of Hope
Discussions surrounding Superman's vivid outfit can often surround how it risks making the character too frivolous, but this flies in the face of his origins. The comic book character's colorful design was always supposed to appeal to children. While this was ostensibly done to help sell comics, I think it's a stroke of genius to have Superman himself focus on the same motive for different outcomes. By considering how the average child might react to seeing a laser-firing, indestructible alien soaring through the skies of Metropolis, it makes so much sense that the hero would strive to assuage these fears.
The idea that Superman's S-symbol meant hope was first established in the 2003–2004 run of comics, "Superman: Birthright."
This exemplifies Superman's motivation. One of Superman's most defining features is that he is a symbol of hope, which is a difficult concept to embody if the very sight of him is likely to instill fear. Furthermore, among his many virtues is his modesty, striving to protect humanity out of altruism rather than vanity. It would therefore make no sense for Superman to flout wearing a costume deemed to be too silly if it meant that children wouldn't see him as the colorful superhero that made him so iconic among comic readers in the first place.
David Corenswet Is Already Proving Himself To Be A Fantastic Superman
David Corenswet Knows The Character On A Deep Level
Learning about Corenswet's reasoning has reignited my faith in the actor as the perfect candidate to portray DC's most iconic hero. In one moment, he has proven that he knows Superman on a deeper level than many. The fact that the Superman trailer boasts a certain sheen that shows a deep respect for comic book origins makes me believe that James Gunn and others involved in the making of Superman were simply looking for the perfect excuse to tribute Superman's original costume. David Corenswet, it turns out, provided that excuse with solid reasoning.
To address the elephant in the room, one of the main concerns about David Corenswet's Superman is that he is not Henry Cavill. Cavill provided a celebrated rendition of the Man of Steel, whose legacy endures despite his debut movie being relatively divisive. Praise is leveled at Cavill for his physical resemblance and nuanced take on Kal-El's personality, expertly depicting his struggles with self-doubt and striving to do what's best for a world that struggles to wholly accept him as their powerful protector.
Fittingly, Corenswet's justification for the colorful suit with trunks is also vindicated by the shot of a child attempting to call to Superman by erecting a flag that bears his bright yellow-and-red S-symbol.
Thankfully, I think the Superman trailer reveals that David Corenswet is a worthy successor for conveying the same traits. The first shots of him lying beaten in the snow show that this is a vulnerable Superman who bleeds, while subsequent shots show that he is at odds with the citizens of Metropolis, which deeply affects him. Fittingly, Corenswet's justification for the colorful suit with trunks is also vindicated by the shot of a child attempting to call to Superman by erecting a flag that bears his bright yellow-and-red S-symbol.
I'm Even More Excited For Superman And His New Costume In The 2025 Movie
The Colorful Trailer Has Filled Me With Hope
Ultimately, the DCU's version of Superman contrasts the DCEU's version in a way that doesn't besmirch the legacy of Henry Cavill. The bright color palette of his costume shows how Superman will star a new version of the eponymous hero who isn't likely to step on the toes of his predecessor. If nothing else, I'm excited to see a different take on a live-action Superman that embraces the brightness of the original comic books without shying away from the more emotional beats that help to make modern interpretations of the Man of Steel so compelling.
From the trailer footage, it seems obvious that Superman isn't afraid of leaning into the inherent frivolity of comic books. Garish outfits, gargantuan monsters, and unfathomable superpowers litter the largely wordless 2-minute trailer and promise spectacle in spades. At the same time, shots of Superman with Pa Kent and dealing with the ire of Metropolis citizens prove that it won't shirk the emotional beats that helped to make Man of Steel so grounded.
Although there isn't any dialogue to speak of, I'm also struck by how Superman's garish costume doesn't seem to overshadow these moments. On the contrary, a brighter color palette overall normalizes his red, blue, and yellow costume in an inherently colorful comic book world. If James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and The Suicide Squad have proven anything, it's that the director can capably handle inherently colorful properties without skimping on the pathos, and I think the Superman trailer has proven that we're in for more of that quality.
Superman
- Release Date
- July 11, 2025
- Director
- James Gunn
- Writers
- James Gunn, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster
- Producers
- Lars P. Winther, Peter Safran
- Franchise(s)
- DCU
Cast
Clark Kent / Superman / Kal-El
Rachel BrosnahanLois Lane
Nicholas HoultLex Luthor
Edi GathegiMichael Holt / Mister Terrific
Superman: This film follows Clark Kent, a cub reporter in Metropolis, as he navigates the complexities of his dual identity, struggling to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing while embracing his role as Superman.
