James Gunn Has No Idea What He Wants The New Superman To Look Like

By Jason Collins | Updated

James Gunn, the American filmmaker and studio executive at Warner Bros.’ DC Studios, just recently revealed that the new Superman costume for Superman: Legacy has undergone numerous redesigns, which reveals the extensive efforts put into creating the iconic look but also casts doubt that James Gunn doesn’t know what he wants the new Superman to look like.

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While we greet David Corenswet’s casting, Henry Cavill’s costume was pretty awesome, so why fix something that isn’t broken?

James Gunn says he’s gone through hundreds of designs for the new Kal-el of Superman: Legacy.

It’s also worth noting that while the costume for the new Superman movie still wasn’t revealed, fans are speculating whether it will include the traditional trunks, and James Gunn remains silent on the matter.

To be entirely honest, we feel like the superhero genre has evolved further from superheroes wearing their underwear on the outside, so the inclusion of the traditional trunks perhaps shouldn’t be the hottest among topics. One thing is sure, James Gunn is shifting through various iterations, trying to find the best one.

The point we’re trying to make here is that the new costume will play a crucial role in how the audiences perceive James Gunn’s new Superman, but it’s not like the upcoming film’s success is predicated on whether the costume has trunks or not.

This also means that it will take some time before we even get a glimpse of the costume; the filming of Superman: Legacy is scheduled to begin in early 2024, so it’s highly unlikely for James Gunn and DC Studios to deliver a trailer before then.

superman returns
Brandon Routh’s Kal-el in Superman Returns (2006) was part of the pro-trunks camp

It would seem that the presence of the traditional trunks presents a point of contention among fans, with some calling Gunn out with statements that the trunks are absolutely necessary components of Superman’s costume, while others don’t really care.

The point we’re trying to make here is that the new costume will play a crucial role in how the audiences perceive James Gunn’s new Superman, but it’s not like the upcoming film’s success is predicated on whether the costume has trunks or not.

Thus, it’s arguable that moviemakers should be more concerned about setting that foundation rather than on the aesthetic implications of Superman not wearing his red panties.

There are several instances in various media in which the costume doesn’t feature the traditional trunks, and some of them are way more popular and beloved than those that do, which basically just makes our point. At the end of the day, the accent shouldn’t be on the trunks but on the quality of the upcoming narrative.

James Gunn and Peter Safran’s upcoming Superman: Legacy will be the foundational movie of a new DC Universe and its first chapter, titled Gods and Monsters.

Thus, it’s arguable that moviemakers should be more concerned about setting that foundation rather than on the aesthetic implications of Superman not wearing his red panties. A good narrative could make up for the lack of traditional trunks, while the presence of traditional trunks can’t possibly make up for the lousy narrative and shoddy writing.

As stated above, James Gunn’s new Superman won’t star the fan-favorite Henry Cavill, whose recent departure from The Witcher series has affected the show’s ratings.

Instead, the new Man of Steel and the Last Son of Krypton will be portrayed by David Corenswet, known for his appearances in House of Cards, The Politician, and Pearl. Wouldn’t it be interesting if they reintroduced Henry Cavill back into future DC projects, not as Superman, but as his evil variant Ultraman?