James Gunn‘s Superman just flew into some retaliation.
The director behind the latest take on the Man of Steel caught heat after an interview with The Sunday Times went live on July 4, in which he told the outlet that “Superman is 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 shared.
When asked if he has thought about whether the new movie would play “differently” in blue states vs. red states, James acknowledged that “it plays differently.”
“But it’s about human kindness and obviously there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness,” he added. “But screw them.”
The comments have since sparked fallout from conservative commentators and critics, including Kellyanne Conway, who recently appeared on Fox News’ The Five on Monday (July 7), where the film was deemed “Superwoke.”
“We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to and to have somebody throw their ideology onto us,” she said. “I wonder if it will be successful.”
Panelist Jesse Watters replied, “Do you know what it says on his cape? MS-13.”
James was asked to address “MAGA” while speaking with Variety at Superman‘s world premiere on Monday night, insisting that the movie is “for everybody.”
“I’m not here to judge people,” he explained. “I think this is a movie about kindness, and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.”
James’ brother Sean Gunn, who plays Maxwell Lord in the new film, agreed with James, telling Variety that “Superman is an immigrant” and noting that “people who say no to immigrants are against the American way.” However, their responses drew further conservative criticism online, as people claimed those behind the film went “woke.” Another critic retweeted a clip of Sean’s red carpet interview and wrote, “The New Superman Movie is going to BOMB worse than Snow White did,” referencing the controversies sparked by conservative criticism of the film.
“Superman Snow Whited itself faster than a speeding bullet,” Texas Congressman Wesley Hunt chimed in on X.
The outspoken conservative sports media figure Clay Travis couldn’t resist piling on, tweeting “I’m going to skip seeing Superman now … America is desperate for apolitical entertainment and Hollywood is unable to deliver it.”
However, others questioned the backlash, as someone wrote, “People finding out that Superman is in fact an immigrant and getting mad about it is the weirdest shit i’ve seen in a while.”
Amid the discourse, someone else pointed out how “Superman content, like most superhero media, always had politically charged philosophical themes,” citing Superman, X-Men, and Captain America as “the most notorious for political undertones.”
Led on screen by David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and Nathan Fillion, the film has also sparked a slew of initial reactions to those who have been able to screen it, many of them positive.
Superman hits theaters on Friday, July 11.