James Gunn Addresses Superman Criticism, While Critics Call the Film “Too Woke”

It’s four days away from DC Studios and Warner Bros Discovery’s Superman and it has not only generated buzz, but it has brought out critics in droves thanks to a new interview with the film’s Director. The reason? Focusing on the original vision of Superman in 1938, an Immigrant from another world wanting to make the world a better place.

In a new interview with The Times, Director James Gunn addressed the criticism for Warner Bros’s newest superhero flick and how the hero is returning in a world that has become volatile, divided, and destructive since Superman’s last appearance on the big screen, not to mention at a time when movie goers are starting to experience Superhero Fatigue (either that or they are just tired of Superhero films being marketed as the “Next Big Thing” and it ended up being mediocre with the trailers, merchandise, or social media that spoil the damn movie.) The criticism is at a time when anti-immigrant and refugee rhetoric is at an all-time high, where critics say the film will be aimed at “Blaming MAGA“, claiming the director doesn’t know how Superman works, and the complaint every film or show gets these days, “Superman has gone woke.” It was asked if he has considered how differently the film might play in, say, blue state New York — aka Metropolis — and Kansas, where Kent grew up, This is what Gunn had to say:

“I mean, Superman is the story of America, an immigrant who came from other places and populated the country, but for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost, Yes, it plays differently. But it’s about human kindness and obviously there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them.”

James Gunn regarding staying in tune with the vision of Superman from 1938

“It is the most unusual thing that we put in the movie, this is a Superman film for the age of endless discourse, with the difference being that the people — Clark and Lois—who disagree with each other here are willing to discuss and even, perhaps, learn.

Yes, it’s about politics, but on another level, it’s about morality. Do you never kill no matter what — which is what Superman believes — or do you have some balance, as Lois believes? It’s really about their relationship and the way different opinions on basic moral beliefs can tear two people apart.“

James Gunn On The Film’s “Political Themes”

Superman has always been an allegory for the immigrant experience, especially when you look into the personal history of his creators, writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joseph Shuster, both are second-generation Jewish Immigrants and were quick to address big issues in the world, take for example in Action Comics #1, Superman fought domestic abuse, and took on corruption in the same issue. The Man of Steel has been described as the original fighter for Social Justice (and has fought against certain Social Justice Issues) over the years, notable examples include the radio serial, where Superman took on the Clan of the Fiery Cross (aka, the Ku Klux Klan, which would later be adapted into a limited issue comic book series) in comic book pages, for example, in the 2017 issue of Action Comics Issue No. 987, where Superman saved migrant workers from a racist shooter, and we would see him comtinue his fight in other forms of media. Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier in the post, anti-immigrant rhetoric is at an all-time high, a notable example is a new segment on Fox News, labeling the Man of Steel as “Super Woke.” A good reminder that it comes from the same news outlet that had to pay $787 million to Dominion Voting Systems to avert a trial for promoting Election Lies about the 2020 Election.

AD: One of the best Superman titles to check out is Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman: The Deluxe Edition. Available now in a Hardcover format.

Kellyanne on Superman: We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to—

Watters: You know what it says on his cape? MS13 pic.twitter.com/F1PBPeE9nf

— Acyn (@Acyn) July 7, 2025

RELATED: American Politics and Comic Books: Today’s Misdirected Outrage at Heroes and Their Values

This has been described as the DCU’s True Beginning. This is Superman’s first solo film since Zack Snyder’s 2013 film, Man of Steel. A lot is riding on this film due to Warner Bros Discovery’s Superhero film division facing scrutiny due to constant box office flops. Which included its biggest Box Office Flop, The Flash, in which the company lost an estimated $155 million, and Joker: Folie à Deux, which also lost between $150 million to $200 million. The new DCU soft-launched in December with James Gunn’s animated series, Creature Commandos. Following Superman, fans can look forward to next year’s Supergirl (based on writer Tom King and Artist Bilquis Evely’s comic book story) movie, and the Green Lantern Corps with the down-to-Earth TV series Lanterns.

Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Superman made his heroic debut in Action Comics #1 in June 1938 (Cover Dated June 1938, published on April 18, 1938). Since his debut, Superman has been adapted into numerous forms of merchandise and media such as Television, Films, Radio Serials, Novels, Theater, and Video Games. Superman makes its debut in Theaters on July 11, 2025.

For a recommended reading list, click the links below:

• Warner Bros and DC Release New Character Posters of Superman and the Justice Gang
• New Superman Posters Reveal Lex Luthor and the Opposition
• Superman’s Final Trailer Shows The Hero’s Humor and ‘Important Stuff’
• Happy Superman Day, A thank you to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Source: The Times

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