We’ve known for over two years that James Gunn is making a Superman movie, but it was only recently that some groups decided to turn it into a political controversy.
The so-called “superwoke” debate is one of the more senseless internet controversies seen lately.
This superwoke controversy largely stems from a soundbite by Gunn. He told The Times U.K. 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.”
When asked whether the movie would be received differently in red states versus blue states, Gunn replied, “Yes, 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. But screw them.”
These comments quickly went viral, with Fox News labeling the movie “Superwoke“—despite no evidence that anyone there actually saw it. Even Dean Cain, famous for playing Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, chimed in with criticism.
For anyone familiar with Superman’s lore, Gunn’s interpretation is consistent with decades of comics: Superman is an immigrant from Krypton who lives a dual life in Kansas because some people reject him. Superman has long been an allegory for immigration, explored in depth in numerous comics and previous films, including Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.
So why the sudden outrage? It’s more a reflection of today’s political climate than anything new. When there’s an opportunity to stir up outrage, certain influencers capitalize on it.
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But this reaction seems unnecessary. If you dislike the idea of Superman being “the story of America” or showing kindness, you don’t have to watch the movie. There are far more important issues in the world than a culture war over a comic book character. As Nathan Fillion put it, “Just a movie, guys.”
Reviews Highlight a Lighthearted and Non-Political Film
Critics largely agree that the movie isn’t pushing any political agenda—unless you consider human kindness to be political, which says more about you than the film.
Instead, reviews praise Superman as a light, fun comic book adventure, applauding the positivity it brings and how David Corenswet embodies the character’s good-hearted nature.
Alison Willmore of Vulture summarizes: “Superman isn’t trying to be political. We just have real-life supervillains now.” If the film’s “woke” politics upset you, that likely reflects your worldview more than the movie’s message.
As always, Lex Luthor, a billionaire, is the villain, and Superman, an alien, is the hero. This dynamic has been central to the franchise for decades, and Gunn along with the DC Universe (DCU) are simply embracing this classic conflict.
