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“Sometimes the truth isn’t good enough, sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.”These words, spoken by Bruce Wayne inThe Dark Knight(2008), perfectly encapsulate the heart of what makes Superman such an enduring and ever-evolving character. Man of Steel has always represented more than just a superhero—he is the embodiment of ideals, hope, and the unrelenting drive for good.As the years have rolled on, various directors have put their own spin on the iconic Man of Steel, each adding their own brushstrokes to his legendary image. At the forefront of these recent transformations stand Zack Snyder and James Gunn, two creative forces who are steering Superman’s ship in entirely different directions.
Snyder himself once reflected on the significance of the“S”symbol, comparing its cultural recognition to something as universally known as the Christian cross. In contrast, Gunn’s Superman is poised to embrace a more optimistic, colorful portrayal.
While fans are excited to seeSupermanreturn to his roots, one can’t help but feel that Gunn’s approach may never truly rival the depth Snyder brought to the table.
James Gunn’s struggle vs. Zack Snyder’s timelessSupermanvision
Some heroes are born, others are made—yet there are a rare few that rise to become legends. And then, there’s Superman. A character so deeply ingrained in the fabric of pop culture that every inch of his design carries profound meaning.
“It was a real kick doing ballet before a live audience”: Newest Villain Addition to James Gunn’s DCU is an Actor With an Uncanny Love For Ballet
WhileJames Gunn’s take on the Man of Steel is on the horizon, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Zack Snyder’s vision for Superman’s look still stands as one of the most striking, purposeful renditions ever put on screen.
And when Gunn revisited the red trunks debate, it became clear that Snyder’s deep dive into Superman’s design couldn’t be easily replicated. In a Q&A session (viaScreen Brief) during theSupermantrailer release, Gunn revealed that he too struggled with incorporating the red trunks into his Superman costume.
I really went back and forth about the red trunks. I even talked to Zack Snyder about it. He said, ‘I tried like a billion versions with the trunks and just never got there.’ And I said, ‘I see how that’s the case.’
However, the truth is, that Snyder’s words were already public knowledge years ago, making Gunn’s recent comments feel somewhat redundant. The latter also shared how a conversation with actorDavid Corenswethelped convince him to add the trunks, arguing that it would present Superman as more approachable, especially to children who look up to him.
“I wanted to use the trunks, but I couldn’t… it’s just so colorful. David, how do you feel?”Gunn said, recounting the moment.
He’s like, ‘I love it.’
Yet, for all the excitement around the trunks’ return, this doesn’t change the fact that Snyder already explored this same issue in depth when designingHenry Cavill’s suit.
Fans call out James Gunn for rehashing Zack Snyder’s old discussion
However, fans are up in arms, feeling that James Gunn is reintroducing a long-discussed topic as though it’s a fresh revelation. He talked about the challenges of incorporating the red trunks into Superman’s suit, an issue that was already well-known thanks toZack Snyder’s candid discussions during theMan of SteelBTS production:
First thing you got to figure out is what’s the suit going to look like, especially [a] modern one?… I heard one time that the Superman glyph is the second or third most recognizable symbol on Earth after the Christian cross.
Now, Gunn’s comments seem to suggest that he’s uncovering something new. To many fans, it’s frustrating. It’s as if he’s brushing off the decade-old behind-the-scenes chatter that already brought this issue into the spotlight. One fan summed it up succinctly, stating
Zack Snyder said this a decade ago on the MoS BTS. James Gunn caught lying AGAIN 💀pic.twitter.com/s0Q25OX7IUhttps://t.co/eswkUTlQMP
Let’s uncover what other fans are saying:
He’s making it seem like it’s new information he personally revealed to him only. It’s been public for a decade
He acts like we don’t or haven’t owned this movie for years 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Why does he do that when it’s so easy to debunk..like
Im usually with you but you realize this doesn’t debunk anything…. Its saying the same thing just in a more crass way
Gunn’sSupermanis undoubtedly poised to bring fresh energy to the DC Universe, but it’s difficult to ignore the foundation that Snyder laid in his vision for Superman’s suit. And after all, when you’re dealing with something that’s so ingrained in popular culture, it’s bound to stir debate.
“The superheroes have lost their individual identities”: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Featuring 3 Billionaire Villains Has Already Revealed His True Purpose
This entire debacle boils down to a simple question: who truly owns Superman’s legacy? Is it the one who built on what came before, or the one who seeks to rewrite it with every new chapter? Maybe, just maybe, we’ll have to wait and see how this all plays out. But for now, fans are watching closely, and they’re not buying into the illusion that everything happening right now is a bold new step.
James Gunn’sSupermanis slated to take flight on 25 July 2025.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
