James Gunn is now speaking out in response to the growing Superman backlash, particularly criticisms from conservative media that labeled his new film as “SuperWoke.” While the film’s messaging — especially around immigration and kindness — drew attention ahead of its release, it has nevertheless gone on to achieve major box office success.
James Gunn Confronts the Superman Backlash
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn directly addressed the “SuperWoke” accusations; moreover, he expressed confusion over the uproar.
“I’ve heard people say it was woke, and then I’ve heard a lot of people say it’s not,” Gunn said. “I am curious as to what in the movie is considered woke… Mostly, it’s a story to me about kindness, which it is. That’s the center of the movie for me.”
The backlash originally stemmed from Gunn’s remarks to The Times of London, where he highlighted Superman’s immigrant roots. Specifically, he noted that creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were sons of immigrants and explained that Superman’s story reflects “the story of America.” As a result, this interpretation drew criticism from outlets like Fox News and former Superman actor Dean Cain, who accused Gunn of politicizing the iconic hero.
Kindness, Not Politics, Drives the Superman Story
Nevertheless, despite the Superman backlash, Gunn firmly emphasized that his film’s core value is not politics, but rather human decency.
“That’s the thing we can all act upon, is kindness… Does that lead to the way you vote? Sure. Does it lead to everything? Yeah. Does it lead to how many people are dying from road rage? Yes. All those things are affected if people just start to value kindness,” he said.
According to Gunn, America once genuinely treasured kindness as a cultural value. Consequently, he now sees Superman as a vessel to restore that ideal. Instead of reacting to political criticisms, Gunn is currently focusing on what emotionally unites audiences.
Support Amid Superman Backlash
Furthermore, Gunn’s brother, actor Sean Gunn, publicly supported him in an interview with Variety.
“Yes, Superman is an immigrant, and yes, the people that we support in this country are immigrants. If you don’t like that, you’re not American,” Sean said.
As a result, his statement added a bold voice to the defense of the film’s message and values.
Box Office Numbers Silence Critics
Despite the controversy, Superman is currently thriving at the box office. In just two weekends, the film has already earned a powerful $235 million domestically, along with a global haul of over $409 million. Moreover, U.S. earnings account for 57.7% of the total revenue — clearly showing that the Superman backlash hasn’t discouraged fans at home.
Therefore, these numbers suggest that audiences are embracing the film’s emotional core rather than rejecting it based on political interpretations. Ultimately, the commercial success reinforces Gunn’s view that kindness — not division — can still resonate with mainstream moviegoers.
Superman Backlash Fails to Overshadow the Message
All things considered, Gunn’s vision of Superman ultimately remains true to his ideals.
“It wasn’t about anything other than [kindness],” he told EW.
Although the backlash may have sparked noise, it ultimately couldn’t drown out the heart of the film — a powerful celebration of hope, compassion, and the immigrant spirit at the center of the Superman mythos.
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Patrick Webb