The Superman costume is as iconic as the character himself — a vibrant red cape, the unmistakable “S” shield, and the classic red trunks. But when it comes to modern adaptations, the “trunks vs. no trunks” debate has been a surprisingly heated topic among fans and filmmakers alike. During our Superman set visit, director James Gunn revealed how he approached this divisive decision and why, after much consideration, the trunks ultimately won.
For Gunn, a filmmaker known for his distinct visual storytelling in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and his work on The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, even Superman’s costume required deep thought and collaboration. One of his strongest strengths is his ability to respect tradition while updating the character, and when you take a step back, that is his overall approach to the broad vision for the DC Universe. This vision officially began with the animated series Creature Commandos, which will be released next year with Superman.
A Heated Debate Turned Creative Exploration
Gunn admitted he was originally on the no-trunks team, following the more modern, trunkless versions seen in films like Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. “I was on the no trunks team for a long time,” Gunn shared. “We tried a billion different versions, and I kept going back to no trunks, no trunks, no trunks.”
Instead of immediately dismissing the trunks, Gunn approached the decision with an open mind. He and his team tried out multiple costume designs, putting everything from modern, trunkless looks to the classic style on actor David Corenswet. The turning point, though, came from Corenswet himself.
Corenswet’s Insight: The Superman Costume is Symbol of Hope
While testing various iterations of the costume, Corenswet offered a perspective that shifted Gunn’s thinking entirely. “David said something to me that really affected me,” Gunn recalled. “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, he can blow a truck over. He could be considered scary, but he wants people to like him. He wants to be a symbol of hope and positivity.”
The red trunks, Corenswet argued, are part of Superman’s effort to appear approachable and heroic. “He dresses like a professional wrestler,” Gunn said with a smile. “It’s a look that’s fun, bright, and reassuring — it makes people unafraid of him.”
This perspective clicked for Gunn, leading him to embrace the trunks as an essential part of Superman’s visual identity. “Trying to pretend that Superman’s costume doesn’t have some frivolity to it at its base — trying to make it look too serious — is silly,” Gunn explained. “He’s a superhero. He’s the first superhero. Brightly colored, classic, and that’s who he is.”
Gunn‘s answer is clear for fans wondering whether Superman’s costume would lean toward modern minimalism or classic tradition: The trunks are here to stay.