Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
“At its core, it’s a story about the importance of simple human kindness—something we’ve largely forgotten.”
Director James Gunn has openly stated that his upcoming Superman film carries intentional political weight.
In a recent interview with The Times of London, Gunn shared, “Superman is, to me, a reflection of America—an immigrant who arrives from another world and becomes part of its fabric. But more than that, it’s a story about how we’ve lost sight of the simple value of human kindness.”
As co-chair of DC Studios, Gunn acknowledged that the film’s themes may be viewed differently depending on viewers’ personal ideologies.
“It will resonate in different ways, sure,” he explained. “But at its core, it’s about kindness—and inevitably, some people won’t like that. They’ll be offended just because the film promotes compassion. And honestly? Screw them.”
He continued, “Yes, there’s a political layer. But it’s also deeply moral. Superman believes in never taking a life under any circumstance, while Lois Lane sees it differently. That philosophical clash affects their relationship. It’s about how core beliefs can drive people apart.”
Gunn noted that the timing of this iteration of Superman feels especially significant. “There’s a real loss of faith in people’s goodness right now. That’s why I wanted to tell the story of someone who is truly good. We need that. There’s a cultural trend of cruelty—especially online—that’s become normalized.”
He admitted he’s not exempt from that dynamic. “I’ve been part of that cycle, too—people having emotional meltdowns online, endlessly. It’s overwhelming. We’re all confused about what’s real anymore, and that’s a dangerous place for the human mind. If I could hit a button and erase the internet, I’d honestly consider it. I don’t think my films will change the world, but if a few people come away being just a little kinder, that would mean something to me.”
Gunn has not shied away from political commentary in the past. In 2017, he compared then-President Donald Trump to authoritarian figures, accusing him of undermining facts and journalism. He also made headlines for a crude social media post mocking the idea of job interviews under Trump’s administration.
Years earlier, Gunn faced backlash when offensive tweets resurfaced, containing jokes about 9/11, sexual assault, and pedophilia. Disney fired him from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise in 2018 but reinstated him the following year after a public apology and a series of discussions with company leadership.
At the time, Gunn said, “Those tweets from nearly a decade ago were failed attempts to be edgy. I’ve regretted them deeply—not just because they were ignorant, unfunny, and insensitive—but because they don’t reflect who I am now, or even who I was then, truly.”
