James Gunn has responded to the criticism about his remark that ‘Superman is an immigrant’.
Gunn, 58, is the CEO of DC Studios and the director of the latest Superman movie starring David Corenswet as Superman.
The director was criticised days ago when, in an interview, he spoke about the titular superhero being an immigrant (as he is famously an alien from Krypton, raised in Kansas).
‘I mean, Superman is the story of America,’ Gunn told The Sunday Times.
‘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.’
Critics and Make America Great Again supporters have called the comment ‘woke’ with Fox News anchor Kellyanne Conway commenting on The Five: ‘We don’t go to the movie theatre to be lectured to and to have somebody throw their ideology onto us. I wonder if it will be successful.’
Jesse Watters then replied: ‘You know what it says on his cape? MS13.’
Gunn has now responded to this criticism, emphasising that the film is about kindness.
‘I’m not here to judge people,’ Gunn told Variety at the Superman premiere in Los Angeles on Monday.
‘I think this is a movie about kindness and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.’
Nathan Fillion, who plays Guy Gardner (aka Green Lantern), laughed off the negativity and suggested people were being dramatic.
‘Aw, somebody needs a hug,’ he said. ‘It’s just a movie, guys. It’s just a movie.’
Sean Gunn, who is James’ brother and plays Maxwell Lord in the film, doubled down on the political message of the film.
‘My reaction to [the backlash] is that it is exactly what the movie is about,’ he said. ‘We support our people, you know? We love our immigrants.
‘Yes, Superman is an immigrant, and yes, the people that we support in this country are immigrants, and if you don’t like that, you’re not American. People who say no to immigrants are against the American way.’
The film sees David Corenswet as the titular Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as love interest Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Superman’s nemesis, Lex Luthor.
The cast also includes Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer.
Speaking to Metro, Rachel said that she hoped she made fans ‘proud’ as she took on this iconic role that has been taken on by many incredible actresses.
‘Well, I feel like everybody who’s taken the mantle has brought a little bit of themselves to this iconic character, and so I was excited to take a swing at it,’ she said.
‘I understand her quite deeply. She’s somebody who can be intense, but is really passionate, and is motivated by the word “no”.
‘She’s relentless in her pursuit of the truth and what she perceives as justice. It was fun to play somebody who was so invested, so determined and unflappable. It was a blast.
‘I hope that we’ve been able to do the fans proud with this one.’
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