MOVIE NEWS – James Gunn has not yet decided whether or not Superman: Legacy will see David Corenswet in the character’s classic swimsuit. And in doing so, he’s managed to reignite an old costume controversy.
Superman: Legacy revives the hero’s oldest costume controversy. DC fans are waiting for news on whether or not the Man of Steel will appear in his classic, outward-wearing bathing suit. As it turns out, David Corenswet will take over the role in James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy. Gunn is not only the writer and director of the film, but also one of the architects – alongside DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran – of the entire DC Universe, where the new iteration of the Man of Steel will live. Several key elements of Superman are currently being worked on for the reboot.
Important aspects such as the film’s soundtrack and a possible logo change for Superman: Legacy are currently being discussed by Gunn and his team, with the director occasionally sharing behind-the-scenes developments with fans on social media.
Among these teases, Gunn revealed on Twitter that he has commissioned several concept sketches of Superman wearing his classic swimsuit and a more modern, pants version of his outfit. At the moment, it appears that he hasn’t made a decision. But Gunn’s move was enough to reignite the oldest debate around Superman: should he wear a bathing suit or not?
Superman’s swimsuit remains controversial 85 years later
The reason why Superman wears underwear in addition to his costume was explained by comic book writer Grant Morrison in his book Supergods, an analysis of superheroes in comics. According to Morrison, the reason for Superman’s classic red swim trunks is that “the underpants worn over tights were an extra-masculine signifier of masculine strength and stamina in 1938, the year Superman was created”. This stems from the fact that the circus was extremely popular at the time. The creators behind the character decided to give the character a look similar to the strongmen of the circus. This was confirmed by Morrison after he came across old photographs of the performers in question while researching the book.
Superman’s exploits far exceed those of the average man, as anyone who knows the character can attest. This led the creators of the hero to design his costume to give credit to Clark Kent’s exploits. That is, to link the character to the circus strongmen so that new readers would immediately understand the character at first glance.
Morrison explains that “the cape, the showman-like boots, the belt and the tight spandex all come from circus costumes”, which helped sell Superman’s larger-than-life adventures when the character debuted and began to become the icon he is today.
While this explanation made sense at the time the character was created, 85 years later it seems rather odd. Circuses and their strongmen are a fraction of the popularity today that they were when the character was born. This has generated debate about whether the character’s red swim trunks are old-fashioned and need changing.
Some fans and comic book writers have voiced their desire to see Corenswee in Superman: Legacy in the character’s classic swimsuit. Others believe this look is outdated and time to retire it.
Why didn’t Snyder’s Superman wear a bathing suit?
Corenswet takes over the role from former Superman actor Henry Cavill. The DCEU version of Man of Steel did away with the character’s iconic red swimsuit, opting instead for a pants version. Cavill first played the role in 2013’s Man of Steel, and director Zack Snyder explained why the red swimsuit was missing from the film. According to Snyder, he tried to make the pants work, but ultimately felt that his vision of the character was too contrasting with the pants. Snyder then decided to follow his Superman re-imagining from DC’s New 52 comic book continuity and give Cavill’s hero a pair of pants.
Although Superman wearing a swimsuit is an iconic look, Snyder’s version of the story was that it was better that the hero didn’t wear one, as the director was right that the pants would have been at odds with his Superman’s style.
Cavill made the character darker overall than in the comics. This, along with the fact that Snyder was modernising his look for a new audience, explains why the swimsuit may have seemed dated to the DCEU. Snyder also chose a dress design inspired by medieval costumes.
Will David Corenswet be wearing the swimsuit?
Corenswet’s Clark Kent in Superman: Legacy will be different from Cavill’s version of the character in the old DCEU. The Man of Steel has never really been true to his hopeful, optimistic comic book self in the films that Cavill has starred in. This is a shame, as the actor had a lot of potential to bring this version of Superman to life on the big screen. Cavill played the character in just five films – including Zack Snyder’s Justice League – in nine years.
While Cavill’s Superman was a god among men, Corenswet’s Superman will focus on his humanity.
Although the original meaning of the red pants has been lost over the years, it is still associated with the qualities that make the character a beloved hero. After the controversy surrounding Superman and DC as a whole in the DCEU, starting the DC Universe with Superman in classic attire is perhaps the most powerful move Gunn could make for the franchise.
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