James Gunn Responds to Criticism of Superman as “Woke”
Director James Gunn has found himself in the middle of a heated debate over the latest portrayal of Superman, with some critics labeling the character as too “woke.” The controversy stems from comments Gunn made about Superman being an immigrant and the story of America. While many have embraced this interpretation, others, particularly on the right, have criticized it as overly progressive.
Gunn recently addressed these accusations in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, expressing confusion over the right-wing interpretation of his remarks. He mentioned that he has heard both sides—some people say the film is “woke,” while others disagree. However, he pointed out that the term “woke” has become so broad and distorted that it’s almost meaningless in today’s context. For Gunn, the core message of the movie remains focused on kindness, which he believes is at the heart of Superman’s story.
“I've heard people say it was woke, and then I've heard a lot of people say it's not. I am curious as to what in the movie is considered woke. I think people took something I said...The guy for the London newspaper [Jonathan Dean of The Times]. Originally, he said that [Superman comic creators] Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were the sons of immigrants, and they wrote Superman as an immigrant story. And I said, yeah, it's a story about an immigrant, but mostly it's a story to me about kindness, which it is. That's the center of the movie for me.”
A Debate Over Values
The discussion around Superman has taken on a broader cultural significance, especially with the emergence of the term “Superwoke” used by right-wing media outlets like Fox News. This phrase is often associated with the idea of a supervillain manipulating public opinion through mass hate, as seen in the movie itself. Gunn acknowledged the debate but remained diplomatic, emphasizing that kindness is a central theme of the film.
“People Did Value Kindness in the Past…”
Gunn noted that kindness was once considered an American value, though he feels it has been overshadowed in recent times. He suggested that the way people vote, the level of road rage, and even the number of lives lost can be influenced by how much society values kindness.
“That's the thing we can all act upon, is kindness. And so what does that lead to? Well, does that lead to the way you vote? Sure. Does that lead to everything? Yeah. Does it lead to how many people are dying from road rage? Yes. All those things are affected if people just start to value kindness. I mean, people did value kindness in the past. That was an American value, was kindness, and it doesn't necessarily seem to be that way to me anymore. So that was always the center of the movie for me, and it wasn't about anything other than that.”
The Ongoing Debate
While the conversation about whether Superman is too “woke” continues, many argue that the idea is inherently flawed. Superman has long been a symbol of hope, justice, and kindness across comics, movies, and television. His legacy has consistently focused on doing good, regardless of political labels.
This debate has also sparked reactions from former actors who played Superman. Dean Cain, known for his role in Lois & Clark, quickly became part of the conversation, reminding fans that the character’s essence has never changed. For some, however, the issue isn’t really about Superman—it’s about seeking a more extreme version of the hero, like Homelander from The Boys.
Ultimately, the discussion highlights how cultural icons can become battlegrounds for ideological debates. Yet, as Gunn emphasizes, the true power of Superman lies in his unwavering commitment to kindness, a message that transcends political divides.
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