SUPERMAN Concept Art and Photos Reveal First Look At Kal-El's Suit Without The Divisive Red Trunks — GeekTyrant

Geek Tyrant

2 hours ago

We have our first look at what Superman might have looked like without one of his most recognizable wardrobe choices. Newly revealed concept art gives fans a glimpse of an alternate version of the suit designed for Superman, one that skips the red trunks entirely.
Graphic and surface designer Maybelle Pineda shared the behind-the-scenes concept on social media, offering a peek at an early take on the Man of Steel's costume. And yes, the red trunks were nowhere to be seen.
Without them, the design feels oddly incomplete, almost like something you'd find on a knock-off toy version of the character. There's a strange nakedness to it, even if everything else about the design remains the same.
There was a serious debate behind the scenes about whether or not the red trunks should make a return in the DCU. It echoes the earlier decision made by Zack Snyder to ditch the trunks in his interpretation with Henry Cavill, a move that sparked plenty of controversy back in the day. Initially, Superman director James Gunn was leaning in the same direction.
"We were trying on all these different versions, and we screened tested with trunks and no trunks," Gunn explained to io9 during an on-set interview last year. "And 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… He's this incredibly powerful, could be considered 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 hope that shows that positivity. And that really clicked in for me.
'And I think trying to pretend that Superman's costume doesn't have some frivolity to it at its base, trying to make it look serious, is silly because he is a superhero. He's the first one, brightly colored and that's who he is."
It turns out we have David Corenswet to thank for standing up for the red trunks. His argument wasn't just about tradition, it was about what Superman represents to the world. That visual cue, however campy it may seem to some, carries weight. It's about tone and symbolism. Corenswet pushed for the classic look, and thankfully, he got through to Gunn.
So while this trunk-less concept may never see the light of day on screen, it's an interesting glimpse into the creative process behind one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. And it shows just how close we came to another red-trunkless Superman in the DC Universe.