Just days before the premiere of DC’s high-stakes Superman reboot, director James Gunn is walking back politically charged remarks that sparked a wave of backlash from critics and audiences alike. Last week, Gunn drew fire after defending his film’s immigration-themed messaging by dismissing detractors as “jerks” and telling them, “screw them.”
“The movie is about kindness,” Gunn had initially claimed, “but there will be jerks who take offense simply because it’s about kindness. Screw them.” The comment—widely interpreted as a jab at Americans critical of illegal immigration—quickly ignited controversy, with many accusing Gunn of labeling half the country as hostile for expressing concern about lawlessness and border security.
James Gunn responds to MAGA backlash over calling #Superman an immigrant: “I think this movie is about kindness, which everyone can relate to.” pic.twitter.com/kUdzJleUsT
— Variety (@Variety) July 8, 2025
Facing mounting pressure, Gunn pivoted on the red carpet. Asked directly by a reporter about the “MAGA backlash” to his political messaging, Gunn replied: “I don’t have anything. I think this movie’s for everybody… I’m not here to judge people. This movie is about kindness, and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.”
The damage, however, may already be done.
Gunn’s brother, actor Sean Gunn, only added fuel to the fire with his own remarks at the same event. “Superman is an immigrant,” Sean Gunn insisted, “and if you don’t like that, then you’re not American.” He went on to claim that opposing mass immigration equates to rejecting the American Dream itself: “People who say no to immigrants are against the American way.”
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions between Hollywood and large portions of the American public, particularly over how political themes are embedded in major cultural franchises. While Gunn insists the film promotes universal values like kindness and hope, critics argue that its political overtones—especially when coupled with dismissive rhetoric—alienate a wide swath of moviegoers.
Sean Gunn on the MAGA backlash to Superman being called an immigrant: “People who say no to immigrants are against the American way.” pic.twitter.com/XgivaD34PE
— Variety (@Variety) July 8, 2025
The film’s lead actor, David Corenswet, also faced scrutiny last week after failing to cite the full iconic Superman slogan. Traditionally known for fighting “truth, justice, and the American way,” Corenswet instead said the hero stands for “truth and justice and all those good things.” The omission was not lost on fans, many of whom see it as another signal that the film is distancing itself from core American ideals.
The stakes for Superman are enormous. The film is positioned as the foundational entry in James Gunn’s rebooted DC cinematic universe. But with early reviews calling the movie “superficial,” “overstuffed,” and even “terrible,” concerns are growing that Gunn’s debut DC entry could falter both commercially and culturally.
