Writer and director James Gunn is facing some backlash for his comments regarding the story of Superman being similar to an immigrant story.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Gunn said, “I mean, Superman is the story of America.” He continued, “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.”
Right-wing commentators, such as Kellyanne Conway, quickly criticized Gunn’s comments. In a Fox News segment on Monday, she said that people “don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to and to have somebody throw their ideology onto us.”
Fox News host Jesse Watters made a joke about Superman’s cape reading “MS-13,” which is the name of an international gang designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization, and he also questioned whether Superman is “from Uganda” and if the film would have a “love scene with Batman and Robin.” Additionally, during the segment, the chyron on the screen read “Superwoke.”
Other right-wing commentators, such as Ben Shapiro, Tim Pool, and largely followed right-wing X accounts such as End Wokeness, added criticisms as well in social media posts, calling Superman the latest “woke” film.
Gunn and the Superman cast have not paid much mind to the conservative backlash. Gunn told Variety, he is “not here to judge people,” and that “this is a movie about kindness and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.” Green Lantern actor Nathon Fillion dismissed criticisms, also telling Variety, “Somebody needs a hug. It’s just a movie, guys.” Superman himself, David Corenswet, did not address the backlash directly, but reiterated Gunn’s sentiments, saying, “Be kind to each other, step up to the plate. See what responsibilities you can shoulder, who you can take care of, who you can look out for.”
Superman is now playing in theaters.
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