On April 9, 2025, as the countdown to James Gunn’s Superman film intensifies ahead of its July 11 release, the director has once again stirred conversation with revealing comments about his vision for the Man of Steel’s iconic suit. Speaking to Variety in December 2024, Gunn reflected on the design process for David Corenswet’s Superman costume, contrasting it with the suit worn by Henry Cavill in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). “I didn’t want it to look like a wet T-shirt,” Gunn said, “and I didn’t want it to have a bunch of fake muscles in it.” The remarks, made during a press event for the film’s teaser trailer, highlight his intent to redefine Superman’s aesthetic for the new DC Universe (DCU), sparking debate among fans and shedding light on the creative shift from Cavill’s era to Corenswet’s debut.
Gunn’s words aren’t just a casual critique—they’re a deliberate nod to the past. Cavill’s Superman, introduced in Zack Snyder’s 2013 Man of Steel, sported a textured, form-fitting suit that emphasized his physique with a sculpted, almost armored look. While praised by some for its modern, alien-inspired design, others dubbed it the “wet T-shirt” for its clingy appearance, accentuated by subtle padding and digital enhancements that amplified Cavill’s already impressive build. Gunn, tasked with rebooting the franchise, has taken a markedly different approach. His Superman suit, glimpsed in set photos and the recent trailer, blends classic comic book elements—like the return of the red trunks—with a more practical, lived-in feel. “It’s colorful, it’s real,” Gunn explained, stressing authenticity over artificiality, a choice that Corenswet himself influenced by arguing that Superman’s vibrancy should reassure rather than intimidate.
The design process wasn’t without its hurdles. During auditions, Cavill’s original suit was famously “torn to shreds,” as Gunn confirmed on Threads, when finalists like Tom Brittney and Corenswet tested it. Brittney damaged it first, and Corenswet, at 6’4”, finished the job due to his height—a fitting metaphor for the transition from one Superman to another. Gunn laughed off the incident, noting the suit “wasn’t in the best shape to begin with,” but it underscored his commitment to crafting something new rather than clinging to the past. Working with costume designer Judianna Makovsky, Gunn aimed for a suit that felt organic, avoiding the “airbrushed abs” and “fake muscles” he associated with Cavill’s look. The result, worn by Corenswet, balances tradition with a modern edge, reflecting the character’s dual identity as both a Kryptonian and a relatable hero.
This shift mirrors the broader tonal pivot of Gunn’s Superman. Where Snyder’s films leaned into a cosmic, philosophical Superman—burdened by his godlike status and humanity’s suspicion—Gunn’s take, as seen in the trailer, grounds the hero in kindness and resilience. The opening shot of a battered Clark Kent, bleeding in the snow before being saved by Krypto, sets a tone of vulnerability over invincibility. “This isn’t about power,” Gunn told Variety. “It’s about a person’s goodness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.” That ethos extends to the suit: it’s not a glossy shell but a uniform worn by a working hero, scuffed and weathered from saving the day. Fans have noted its resemblance to the Kingdom Come comics, with a stiff collar and muted reds, a stark departure from Cavill’s sleek, shiny aesthetic.
Cavill’s tenure as Superman, spanning Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League, left a complex legacy. His suit, designed to reflect Krypton’s advanced technology, ditched the trunks—a choice Snyder defended as a modern evolution from the character’s circus-strongman origins. Yet, it became a lightning rod for criticism, with some arguing it sacrificed Superman’s warmth for a colder, more militaristic vibe. Gunn, by contrast, embraces the trunks and a brighter palette, aligning with Corenswet’s younger, more approachable Clark Kent. At 31 during filming, Corenswet embodies a Superman early in his career, navigating Metropolis alogside Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), a trio Gunn calls the film’s heart.
The comparison has reignited the Cavill-versus-Corenswet debate. Snyder loyalists flooded X after Gunn’s comments, decrying the “wet T-shirt” jab as a slight against Cavill’s era, with one fan writing, “Henry’s Superman was a masterpiece—Gunn’s just jealous.” Others embraced the shift, praising Gunn’s return to comic roots. Cavill himself has stayed above the fray, appearing at Gunn’s premiere as a guest and expressing support for the new direction. “Superman belongs to everyone,” he said graciously, a sentiment Gunn echoed when he clarified he’d discussed other DCU roles with Cavill, hinting at a potential future beyond the cape.
As Superman nears its summer debut, Gunn’s vision—bolstered by early praise calling it “closest to the comics”—promises a hero who’s less a distant deity and more a steadfast friend. The suit, free of “fake muscles” and wet sheen, embodies that promise: a Superman who doesn’t just fly but lifts others up. Whether it surpasses Cavill’s cosmic gravitas or Reeve’s timeless charm remains to be seen, but Gunn’s bold reimagining has already set the DCU on a distinct flight path.
