James Gunn is in hot water after calling Superman an “immigrant,” referencing the superhero’s displacement from his home planet to Kansas—a comment that quickly sparked political backlash.
The reboot director and DC Studios co-CEO also described Kal-El as “the story of America,” a comparison that didn’t sit well with fans and critics alike given today’s political climate.
Although he insisted the film is about “basic human kindness,” something he believes the society has lost, many have focused instead on how he framed the Man of Steel’s status.
What is James Gunn’s Superman Controversy About?
The Times titled its interview with Gunn as James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman, probably knowing the controversy that would come.
In the talk, the writer-director went on to discuss his take and beliefs about Superman and stirred a debate in no time.
“Superman is the story of America,” he said. “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.”
Immigration is a hot political issue in the U.S. today, touching on economic, security, and humanitarian concerns—especially in light of former President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and mass deportation plans.
Given that, it’s no surprise that many, particularly right-wing commentators and supporters of Trump’s anti-immigration policies, have reacted to Gunn calling Superman an immigrant and comparing his story to the American experience.
Fox News hosts like Greg Gutfeld couldn’t help but call the movie “Superwoke.”
“He’s creating a moat of woke, enlightened opinion around him. He’s got a woke shield,” he said. He also accused Gunn of embracing “pro-immigrant themes.”
Other right-wing pundits also described the new Superman movie “crappy,” though they have yet to see the film, which will premiere in the U.S. on July 11. They even urge other conservative to boycott the film.
“I’m going to skip seeing Superman now. Director is an absolute moron to say this publicly the week before release,” conservative radio host and OutKick founder Clay Travis added.
Is Superman an Immigrant?
For starters, Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the sons of Jewish immigrants who faced persecution and anti-Semitism.
Introduced in 1938, the character was inspired by their desire to create a symbol of hope and justice for marginalized communities, shaped by their own personal struggles.
Kal-El came from the doomed planet of Krypton and raised on Earth by couple Jonathan and Martha Kent in Kansas, making him a refugee.
In fact, to support the claim, The Time’s article has a note that says, “the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees once released a book in Italy titled Superman Was a Refugee Too.”
About a decade ago, DC Comics celebrated the World Refugee Day by revealing, “The Man of Steel’s story is the ultimate example of a refugee who makes his new home better.”
So, though Gunn admitted that Superman is about politics, he also stressed that it’s about morality “on another level.”
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