James Gunn’s Superman finally arrives in theaters next week, kicking off Warner Bros’ second attempt at a DC cinematic universe to rival Marvel. Gunn has already proven his superhero movie skills many times over, and hype levels are at maximum.
Well, for most people anyway. Over the weekend, Deadline published an interview in which Gunn said he wanted to focus on Superman being a literal illegal alien: “An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country,” and that he wanted to remind people of their “basic human kindness” towards their fellow man.
Clearly knowing that this would ruffle some feathers, Gunn added: “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.”
Kindness? Decency? Helping others? Selflessness? Excuse me, Mr Gunn, this is Donald Trump’s America now – we don’t do that stuff anymore! Or, at least, that’s what Fox News’ ghouls Kellyanne Conway and Jesse Watters seem to believe.
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
In a segment inevitably titled “Superwoke” (I guarantee “Wokerman” was also considered), Conway attacked the concept of Superman being an immigrant (why not also criticise the guy for flying and having an “S” on his chest while you’re at it), saying that Gunn is using the movie to “throw ideology” at the audiences (somewhere Zizek just sneezed angrily).
Evil AND unfunny
Anyhow, Conway may be evil and wrong, but at least she’s technically making an argument. Jesse Watters, on the other hand, dropped the clanger: “You know what it says on his cape? MS-13”. Zero laughs.
Some people might take a step back and consider what it makes them if they hate the idea of an alien immigrant growing up in Kansas, loving America despite being in the country illegally, and doing his best to help regular citizens with his talents. Because, if you’re mocking and vowing to destroy him for spreading dangerous ideology, that sounds pretty Lex Luthor-y to me.
Sean Gunn on MAGA backlash to #Superman being called an immigrant
— Culture Crave
"We love our immigrants … If you don't like that … then you're not American"
"People who say no to immigrants are against the American Way, they're against what the American Dream is all about"
(via… pic.twitter.com/PEtTEVDwhl(@CultureCrave) July 8, 2025
With mixed advance word-of-mouth, it’s unclear whether Gunn’s take on Superman will be the megahit Warner Bros demands to kickstart their second MCU rival. But, if nothing else, the movie has already upset the worst people humanity has to offer, so it’s at least doing something right.
