Earlier this week, DC Studios Co-Chief James Gunn finally unveiled the first image of David Corenswet donning the Superman cape for the upcoming 2025 reboot. Yet, not everyone found the reveal to be a cause for celebration, in fact reaction online was sort of mixed.
Clay Staub, one of Zack Snyder’s collaborators whose credits include being an uncredited additional second unit director on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and an aerial second unit director on Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, went online and criticized the reveal.
The criticism from Staub wasn’t directed at Corenswet’s capability as an actor or the potential story of the upcoming film, but focused sharply on the overall presentation of the superhero costume. Staub questioned the decision-making behind the promotional image, which featured Superman in the process of putting on his boot, a pose he argued made the suit appear “bulky and rubbery.” He also sarcastically asked if the traditional trunks were making a comeback.
“Who thought this was the best option for a First Look?” Staub said on Twitter. “Really, I’m not joking, speaking solely from the layout perspective, the pose (pulling his boot on) making the suit chest and arms look bulky and rubbery. BTW are those Trunks we’re returning to, I’m asking for a friend?”
The Hidden Meaning In Superman’s Costume Reveal
Fans will certainly be riding high on the official reveal of David Corenswet’s Superman suit for a while. However, James Gunn may be hiding some subtle details about the film’s plot in the costume reveal. Namely, what role could that giant planetary object be playing in the film?
Many may jump at the concept of it being Warworld, the planet-sized war machine used by the Superman villain Mongul. While that could be a fun cold open to the film, especially given James Gunn used Mongal in The Suicide Squad, it may be a bit too misleading for the costume reveal.
Rather, given James Gunn has shown a passion to the more obscure corners of Superman’s history, this may be fans’ first look at Solaris in the Superman reboot. Solaris is an obsucre villain from the DC One Million series that faced off against Superman Secundus. While perhaps a deep cut, it would be one fantastic start to David Corenswet’s time as Superman that doesn’t take the iconic villain Mongul off the table for a sequel!
Superman: Legacy is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.