James Gunn’s Superman, set to soar into theaters on July 11, 2025, has already ignited fervent discussion among fans, critics, and cinephiles. The film, marking the inaugural chapter of the rebooted DC Universe (DCU), stars David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, replacing Henry Cavill’s portrayal from Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Gunn, known for his vibrant and irreverent takes on superhero narratives in Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, promised a Superman that honors the character’s comic book roots while delivering a fresh cinematic vision. The first trailer, released in December 2024, showcased a classic, pure costume—complete with the iconic red trunks, a bright blue suit, and a flowing red cape—evoking the Golden Age of comics. Yet, the film’s darker color palette has drawn inevitable comparisons to Snyder’s brooding Superman universe, sparking debates about tone, aesthetics, and fidelity to the character.

Gunn’s Superman costume is a deliberate nod to the character’s storied history. The inclusion of the red trunks, absent in Snyder’s sleeker, trunkless design, was a bold choice, driven by Corenswet’s insight that Superman, an alien with godlike powers, should appear approachable, especially to children. In an interview with Screen Brief, Gunn revealed he consulted Snyder about the trunks, with Snyder admitting he “tried a billion versions” but couldn’t make them work. Gunn, however, embraced the challenge, crafting a suit that blends classic elements—like the yellow-backed S-shield and a stylized logo inspired by the Kingdom Come storyline—with modern sensibilities. Set photos and the trailer reveal a vibrant yet textured costume, with bright blues and reds that pop against Metropolis’s skyline. The cape, enhanced with subtle CGI for dynamic movement, and the return of the yellow symbol on its back, unseen in live-action since Christopher Reeve, further cement Gunn’s commitment to a comic-accurate aesthetic.

Despite this reverence for tradition, the film’s color scheme has stirred controversy. The trailer features muted, desaturated tones in key scenes—Superman bloodied in an Arctic wasteland, Metropolis under siege, and crowds protesting the hero. These darker hues, paired with a gritty atmosphere, echo Snyder’s Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where monochromatic greens, grays, and deep blues underscored a world of existential dread. Snyder’s Superman, portrayed by Cavill, was a somber figure grappling with his alien identity against a bleak Earth, his suit deliberately desaturated to reflect this tone. Gunn’s palette, while not as relentlessly dour, leans into similar shadows, prompting some fans on X to lament, “Gunn’s doing Snyder’s dark vibe but with trunks.” Others, however, argue that the darker tones serve the story’s narrative of a battered America, as Gunn described at a Q&A, symbolizing a nation corrupted by “darker voices” yet striving for hope.

The comparisons to Snyder’s universe are not merely visual. Gunn’s Superman faces public skepticism, with citizens throwing objects at him, reminiscent of the DCEU’s portrayal of a divisive hero. Yet, where Snyder’s Superman was burdened by moral ambiguity, Gunn emphasizes optimism and relatability. The trailer hints at a Clark Kent navigating his dual identity with earnestness, supported by a colorful cast including Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Krypto the Superdog. Gunn’s inclusion of whimsical elements, like Krypto, and a lighter touch in character interactions, sets his film apart from Snyder’s weighty mythos. Posts on X reflect this divide, with some praising Gunn’s “bright, hopeful” vision and others decrying it as “Snyder-lite with a shittier suit.”

Critics have noted that Gunn’s darker color scheme may be a strategic compromise, balancing comic book vibrancy with the cinematic realism audiences expect. Unlike Snyder’s uniformly grim aesthetic, Gunn’s palette shifts dynamically—bright in moments of heroism, muted in scenes of conflict. This approach aligns with his stated goal of avoiding a “fascistic power fantasy,” instead crafting a Superman who saves a world that doesn’t always love him. While Snyder’s suit was alien, forged from Kryptonian tech, Gunn’s feels handmade, grounding the character in human values.

As anticipation builds, Gunn’s Superman stands at a crossroads. The classic costume fulfills fans’ longing for a traditional Man of Steel, but the darker color scheme risks alienating those craving a stark departure from Snyder’s shadow. Whether Gunn’s vision will unite a fractured fanbase or deepen the divide remains to be seen, but his bold choices have undeniably set the stage for a Superman that is both timeless and timely.