Summary

• The upcoming DC Universe will be kickstarted by James Gunn with a new Superman film in 2025, followed by other features like Supergirl.
• The divisive reception of the new Superman suit emphasizes the challenge of balancing tradition with modern storytelling in superhero films.
• Understanding the context of Superman’s stories helps to appreciate the evolution of his costume and the impact it has on the character’s portrayal.

In 2025, James Gunn intends to shepherd in an entirely new DC Universe with the release of Superman. This film intends to set the stage for a brand-new universe that will be followed by Supergirl in 2026 and other features, including The Brave and the Bold and The Authority in the following years. Everything we know about Superman and the DCU has been shared through social media, with no official photographs until recently. However, with one image, the studio has given audiences their first look at this brand-new universe with a recent image of David Corenswet’s Superman.

Featuring other-worldly textures and a collar that stands on end, the image revealed shows a Superman who does not quite embody the hope and brightness that audiences might have expected. Instead, various new and old components are combined to create a unique suit that resembles the Alex Ross Kingdom Come comic books and only some components of the Henry Cavill Superman suit, among other influences. As has happened in the past, audiences have become divided on this character iteration. Delving into this can help to understand not just the Superman of the DCU but the fundamentals of the character himself.

Superman’s Movie Costume Is A Consistently Divisive Debate

Different Eras And Iterations Call For Unique Outfits

There has been some divisive talk of Superman’s new costume, with some fans finding it excellent and others finding it a strange disappointment. Superman has worn several costumes over the years, as many actors have played Superman in live-action, and picking one as the definitive iteration of the character is difficult. Therefore, the outfits that stick close to traditional components or stray from them are routinely derided or celebrated alike by certain audiences.

In the 90s comics, Superman, like Spider-Man, was given a black suit and long hair. In later years, especially in Man of Steel, his stories have gone out of their way to explain that the S on his chest is not an S but is a symbol of some kind. Superman stories and how the character is realized tend to reflect the era in which they are set, with styles and stories that match. Just as the first images of Man of Steel were derided upon release, so seems to be the case for the same audiences for Superman.

Several Major Superman Suit Elements Have No Perfect Answer

From Tights To Boots To Underwear, There Is A Superman For All Seasons

The character of Superman debuted in 1938, and many credit the hero as being the first to usher in the era of superheroes. Some might believe that the classic components of his costume then are fundamental to the makeup of superhero storytelling. However, while the core components remain, they have changed significantly over the years to remain relevant. If there were no room for change, Superman would remain as he had first appeared in Action Comics, with a scribbled S over a yellow shield, only able to leap over tall buildings rather than fly.

Many components remain divisive, and all who have worked in Superman comics or films have worked hard to retain the core features of his uniform while making them work with the story the author has chosen to tell. Fan art of Superman’s reveal exists for what some wanted, but this varies. Tellingly, James Gunn posted to ask fans if they wanted a Superman with or without trunks, and the decision was split. It would appear then that audiences have their favorite components of a Superman costume that can vary from person to person, making a single, ideal realization perhaps impossible.

Superman’s Suit Reveal Is DCU’s First Major Movie Reveal

Most Of 2025’s Superman And Its Universe Remain A Mystery

While talk has abounded about the upcoming Superman movie, and a slew of announcements, beginning with a full slate reveal by James Gunn, has been shared with audiences, everything we know about the new DC Universe is limited. This single image of David Corenswet’s Superman suiting up into his costume is the only image released of the Superman film and the DCU. Being mindful of this, it is impossible to know not just how this suit will fit into the story of the film, but in the universe itself.

Just as the X-Men transitioned to matching black leather in the early 2000s, or how the Marvel Cinematic Universe has equipped most of their heroes with nanotech to form their uniforms, an understanding of the world’s dynamics is crucial in comprehending Superman’s new costume. Each of these choices has influenced the outfit’s design and its integration into the filmmakers’ narrative. James Gunn and Peter Safran have outlined the full first chapter of the DCU over a year before production, and the choices for Superman’s outfit, both good and bad, are directly influenced by this master plan.

Before A Superman Movie Release, It’s Hard To Know Exactly How The Suit Will Be Used

Context Is Key To Understanding Any Suit Or Suits The Man Of Steel Has Worn

Before Justice League was released in 2017, Henry Cavill shared an image of Superman’s black suit on his Instagram page. While in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, eventually released in 2021, Superman’s black suit was featured, this version of the suit did not exist in the final theatrical version of Justice League. This kind of tease then tells of the shape of movies and how much they come together in post-production. There is a precedent that teased costumes may not even appear in the final theatrical film.

The coloring could change, or the collar could be removed, or perhaps Clark Kent will wear a series of costumes for Superman. However, understanding the context of Superman’s stories helps to understand how much the story influences the costumes the hero wears. Much of Superman in character and design appears outdated, and James Gunn has spoken about how much of the film intends to address that. This will likely inform not just the storytelling but also the visual components. Understanding Superman’s suit in the context of his world will likely help audiences understand it.

Whether Superman will resonate with audiences when released in 2025 remains to be seen. However, this result will not directly result from the costume the team has created, whatever the case. If the film is poor, a good costume will not save it, and vice versa. Looking back on the character’s long development and various outfits through the years, however, it becomes exciting to recognize that this is only the first tease of the new DC Universe. Seeing how these styles and ideas go beyond Superman to create an entirely new universe will hopefully yield a satisfying and exciting result.