James Gunn has responded to the backlash against his “Superman is an immigrant” remark by saying his forthcoming movie is about “kindness”.
The DC Studios co-CEO said earlier this week that Superman was “the story of America”.
“An immigrant that 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,” he told The Sunday Times.
Reacting to the director’s remark, Fox News anchor Kellyanne Conway said on The Five: “We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to and to have somebody throw their ideology onto us. I wonder if it will be successful.”
Kellyanne on Superman: We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to—
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 7, 2025
Watters: You know what it says on his cape? MS13 pic.twitter.com/F1PBPeE9nf
Online reactions to Gunn’s comment mocked his position, with some commentators claiming they wouldn’t watch the film because it was too “woke”.
“How to lose $200m in 30 words or less,” wrote one person on X. Another said: “So in other words, he just took the source material and made it woke. Sounds about right.”
Responding to the criticism, Gunn said Superman was for “everyone”.
“I’m not here to judge people,” he told Variety at the Superman premiere in Los Angeles on Monday. “I think this is a movie about kindness and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.”
Gunn’s iteration of the iconic DC superhero features David Corenswet as the titular Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as the villainous Lex Luther.
The cast also includes Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, and Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer.
“My reaction is that it is exactly what the movie is about,” Sean Gunn, who plays Maxwell Lord, said about the backlash. “We support our people, you know? We love our immigrants. Yes, Superman is an immigrant, and yes, the people that we support in this country are immigrants and if you don’t like that, you are not American. People who say no to immigrants are against the American way.”
Fan reactions to Gunn’s comments about Superman have been generally supportive, however, with many bringing up earlier adaptations of the superhero and how he’s always been political.
“The worst people you know are upset about this because they completely missed the point of Superman, despite how being an immigrant is such a fundamental part of his character,” said one fan on X.
“The concept of being shocked by superman, who had always been an alien immigrant, being portrayed as an alien immigrant,” said another.
If James Gunn's recent comments upset you, you're not only one of the most pathetic snowflakes alive today but you're also clearly not a fan of the character.
— Mischief (@MischiefsYT) July 7, 2025
Superman has literally always been an immigrant allegory https://t.co/t2D4YFgw83
superman taking his illegal immigrant cousin shopping to help her assimilate to earth: https://t.co/hoODu1whmR pic.twitter.com/QCVEHy123d
— JOLLY J✨ (@DynamoSuperX) June 10, 2025
superman is literally an undocumented immigrant with a bisexual son https://t.co/iPKrPO2sVM
— Minty (@MintOracle) April 8, 2025
Anyone upset with @JamesGunn for "ruining #Superman" hasn't paid attention.
— Jonathan Decker, LMFT (@FamilyExpert15) July 8, 2025
An immigrant story about basic human kindness IS the story. Always has been.
Supes IS about "the American way" ... the one that originated with "bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses." pic.twitter.com/uVEFjpm6Xj
Another fan said: “Anyone upset with James Gunn for ‘ruining Superman’ hasn't paid attention. An immigrant story about basic human kindness IS the story. Always has been. Supes IS about ‘the American way’... the one that originated with ‘bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.’”
Earlier this week, Gunn had responded to an apparent attempt by Zack Snyder fans to sabotage his new Superman movie with a targeted online campaign.
Although trailers for the film have prompted mostly positive reactions, there is a growing backlash from fans of Justice League director Snyder and the previous DC universe, otherwise known as the DC Extended Universe. Snyder directed three films within the universe, beginning with the 2013 Superman project Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill.
Disgruntled Snyder fans have since taken to the “Snyder Cut” subreddit to demand that others “stand up and fight” on the day Superman is released by sharing spoilers, posting negative reviews and reserving cinema tickets in bulk.
“Lol I think we’ll survive,” Gunn responded on social media.
Superman releases in cinemas on 11 July.
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