James Gunn has ignited a new fan debate, one that isn't necessarily about the new DCU. The co-CEO of DC Films asked fans an important question that has been debated for decades: does Superman look better with trunks or without?Gunn is currently working on Superman: Legacy, his take on the character. Former Superman Henry Cavill will not return for this reboot, though Gunn stated Cavill wasn't fired from the role. Gunn and DC Studios partner Peter Safran wanted to go in a different direction, a younger one, where Clark Kent is starting at the Daily Planet. Since he's currently working on a Superman project, many were excited by his question.On his Twitter, Gunn ran a poll asking fans if they preferred trunks or no trunks on Superman. The poll ran for a day, and when it concluded, 60% of fans had voted for the 'trunks' option. Gunn's tweet sparked outrage, but he reassured fans that the poll would not impact his plans for the DCU; it was just for fun.
However, the fanbase has been divided since Gunn's DC slate was announced. Some are convinced that the slate is not ambitious enough, while others are angry that the new DCU will only be a soft reboot instead of a total reboot. Others still are upset anything is being retooled at all.
It's understandable why some fans may prefer the 'no trunks' look. Superman, as a character, is nearly a century old. His design is inspired by strongmen, explaining the trunks. However, in the modern day, it's a new era for superhero movies. The strongman reference has been lost to time, and many find the design choice silly now. Rather than trunks, they see Superman as wearing his underwear on the outside of his outfit.
Perhaps it's time to return to the earnestness comics used to espouse. The evil Superman trope has permeated pop culture in recent years. Even Gunn produced a film based on that premise, Brightburn. Many view Superman as 'boring' and want him to be spiced up. That might be because the character's unapologetic optimism and positivity are seen as corny. The trunks are emblematic of that, in a way. If the character were designed with his trunks today, it likely would result in snarky remarks from other characters. If Gunn goes for the trunks and decides a campy, comic-accurate design is what his iteration of the character needs, it might be a breath of fresh air.
Superman: Legacy is tentatively scheduled to be released on July 11, 2025.
Source: James Gunn/Twitter