Costume designer for 'Man of Steel' talks updated super suit

Man of Steel costume designer Michael Wilkinson opened up about redesigning Superman’s famous blue and red suit for the modern viewer, retaining the original design with small twists.

Superman’s iconic blue tights, red underwear, and red cape remained intact for the latest installment of the comic book franchise, which Wilkinson told MTV News was important to the reboot.

"The process of designing his suit was continually fueled by the respect and awe we felt for the character. It was fascinating to explore the history and social context of the various incarnations of Superman over the last 75 years,” Wilkinson said of beginning the project. “Our goal was to design a Superman that acknowledges the past, but is relevant to today and resonates with contemporary audiences."

Though the suit retains its recognizable elements, it features new elements that reference the hero’s extraterrestrial origins. The careful decision to reference Superman’s home planet was one film director Zack Snyder heavily emphasized.

"Zack wanted to ground the Superman suit in the story of the film, so that there was a logic and a context for the look of the suit," Wilkinson explained, “"I explored that idea with the look of the clothes on Krypton, giving them a family 'glyph' or crest, and using the details of Superman's cuff, side trim, boots and belt... The Kryptonian skin suit is an alien form of chain mail, a protective layer that is worn under heavier robes or armor."

Audiences in 22 foreign markets will have the opportunity to view Man of Steel and see Superman’s updated look. The film is set to open in China, Russia, Germany, and Italy this summer. According to Yahoo, Man of Steel kicked off its international debut in the U.K., earning $17 million opening weekend.

Image: Tumblr

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