Movies

Superman’s Classic Trunks Return Brings Unexpected On-Set Struggles for David Corenswet

BBG News

The 2025 film is anticipated to position the revived DC Universe prominently on the cinematic landscape, while steering clear of the pitfalls experienced by the former DC Extended Universe. In this context, Superman will be depicted in a more conventional manner compared to how Henry Cavill portrayed him in previous movies. This new portrayal will incorporate aspects from his past, though some may not fit as seamlessly as some fans had hoped.

In the upcoming film by James Gunn titled “Superman,” the iconic briefs reappear on Superman, distinctly setting this interpretation of the character apart from the DCEU. While many traditional Man of Steel enthusiasts appreciate this touch, certain additions to his outfit have led to a wardrobe mishap. This potential issue with the costume may prompt changes in the future of the DCU, once the film has effectively established its tone.

Superman’s Trunks Went Up and Away the Hard Way

The 2025 Superman Movie Costume Came With Their Own Issues

As mentioned, the DCU’s Superman will revert to his appearance prior to 2011, while still acknowledging that year in an unusual way. Unlike the Superman designs from the New 52 comics starting in 2011 or the costume in the DC Extended Universe, the classic trunks will be part of the DCU Superman’s attire. The design, reminiscent of old-time circus strongmen’s clothing, has been a point of debate among many, including comic book enthusiasts.

In contrasting opinions, some believe that Superman’s trunks are essential for his iconic appearance, while others argue that they are an outdated and culturally detached feature of his costume, linked to the now irrelevant notion of the circus. This perspective is reinforced by recent adaptations of the character, such as DCEU Superman and others, who have streamlined their costumes. Contrastingly, the DC Universe version of Superman, reminiscent of the New 52 costume, includes trunks, a decision supported by director James Gunn.

Unfortunately, the Superman costume didn’t fit David Corenswet quite as perfectly as he had anticipated, especially during filming, as revealed in a recent interview. Specifically, during an important flying scene, his harness was situated within his trunks. This scene is briefly displayed in the trailer and features the Man of Steel and Lois Lane kissing, with him flying upward. Given that his harness was placed there while he was flying, it’s understandable why this could be quite awkward for the actor, especially considering the intimate nature of the scene.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the ingenious application of practical effects in the forthcoming movie. However, these techniques aren’t without their challenges. One thing is certain, they contribute significantly to the creation of an iconic visual representation for the character that seems to have leaped straight from a comic book panel. This isn’t a singular instance of this approach in the film; it draws substantially from distinct episodes in the Man of Tomorrow’s rich history.

James Gunn’s Superman Features Elements from the Silver Age of Comics

The Trunks Aren’t the Only Traditional Aspects Making a Comeback

In James Gunn’s version of Superman, you’ll notice a significant influence from the All-Star Superman comic books, particularly in terms of tone. This is evident in the inclusion of certain characters, who are straight out of that narrative. However, when it comes to the design of the trunks, they represent a unique take on Superman compared to the DC Extended Universe, but they might not be as profoundly differentiating as other aspects of the upcoming movie.

The movie appears to have been significantly impacted by Superman themes from the Silver Age of Comic Books, similar to the story (created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely). This period focused heavily on the hero’s sci-fi elements, and introduced key villains like Brainiac, Bizarro, and even others found in the upcoming film. Despite their silliness, especially when compared to Silver Age Marvel comics, these stories can be presented more grandly and contemporarily.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that an intriguing twist on the classic Superman story comes from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s “Superman For All Seasons”. This retelling delves into the hero’s initial days within the post-“Crisis on Infinite Earths” continuity. It showcases how writer/artist John Byrne redefined Superman, deviating from the Silver Age depictions.

For example, in this version, Clark Kent’s parents are still alive, a stark contrast to the original story where they passed away during his youth. Moreover, Lex Luthor is portrayed as a ruthless businessman instead of the mad scientist we’re accustomed to.

In the storyline of this film, Clark’s father, Jonathan Kent, is still living, adding a unique element to the screenplay. This DC Extended Universe version of Superman draws heavily from post-“Crisis” continuity while maintaining its individuality, much like the original. However, it’s expected that this adaptation will incorporate elements from the Silver Age as well. Notably, the new cinematic portrayal of Superman will aim to blend aspects of his pre-1986 and post-1986 personas, offering a unique take on both versions.

Will DCU Superman Keep the Trunks?

There’s Always a Chance for the Hero to Get a New Costume

It’s unclear if Superman will continue to wear his traditional briefs in the DC Universe films due to the concerns David Corenswet mentioned about the costume. Although his most common look is the classic-style trunks, he has donned various costumes since his initial appearance over 80 years ago. The new costume hints at this versatility by incorporating aspects of both the original design and the New 52 suit, as well as the Superman insignia from the “Kingdom Come” comic book.

In the late ’90s, Superman’s comic book appearance temporarily echoed Kingdom Come’s style. This suggests that director James Gunn might be open to exploring distinctive design choices in the DCU’s future. One possible modification could involve Superman donning a more accurate version of the New 52 armor, characterized by its metallic sheen and absence of trunks. This change could stem from narrative reasons, with Superman adopting the suit for enhanced protection against formidable adversaries like Bizarro, Mongul, or even Brainiac.

Moving forward, the design of Superman’s suit could be streamlined into the trunkless costume from the “DC Rebirth” era, a look that influenced his suits across the Arrowverse and related media. Although it seems unlikely that The Death of Superman will be adapted again in the near future, there could potentially be narrative justifications for Superman to don the black, capeless “recovery suit” as seen towards the end of the third act. If storylines necessitate these costume changes, there might also be opportunities to introduce the iconic electric costume known as Superman Blue, although it may be more effective to subtly reference this in a less prominent way.

Since Superman often pays tribute to various obscure details from comic book lore, it’s quite plausible that such instances occur. Moreover, varying Superman’s costumes within the DCU provides significant marketing and branding opportunities, such as toys, Halloween costumes, and other collectibles. It’s worth noting that these outfits might not immediately address the wardrobe concerns raised by David Corenswet. More than likely, the discomfort experienced during flying scenes in James Gunn’s Superman is simply an inherent challenge, particularly considering the large scale of the scene made CGI impractical.

In a similar vein, as some have jokingly observed, this design can be likened to wearing underwear on the outside. This added layer, if employed for harnesses or special effects equipment, would undoubtedly make things uncomfortable for the wearer. For now, it appears that the trunks will continue to be a part of Superman’s appearance in films, as both fans and director James Gunn seem to favor this style. However, for David Corenswet, who plays Superman, filming scenes while wearing the costume doesn’t make things move “faster than a speeding bullet”. Instead, it seems that the classic costume choice is more of a challenge or obstacle for him, much like kryptonite is to Superman.

Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.

Read More

2025-04-26 19:22

Previous post Tom Hardy clears up Pride & Prejudice audition rumour: “You just aren’t it”
Next post Top 10 Miniseries with Perfect Endings