Actor Sean Gunn, brother of director James Gunn, ignited controversy this week by publicly endorsing the political messaging embedded in the upcoming Superman reboot and labeling critics as “not American.”
The comments, made during a press tour for the film, have drawn sharp backlash ahead of the film’s July 11 release.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, director James Gunn confirmed that the film would carry a political undertone, describing Superman as a story rooted in immigration and “basic human kindness.”
He acknowledged that some audiences may find the message offensive, stating bluntly, “But screw them.” He later reiterated the theme during the premiere in Hollywood, adding that he wasn’t judging anyone but believed kindness was a universal value.
Sean Gunn, who plays the character Maxwell Lord in the film, expanded on the remarks in a separate statement. “Yes, Superman is an immigrant,” he said. “And if you don’t like that, you’re not American.” His assertion drew immediate criticism for equating disagreement over immigration policy with a lack of patriotism.
The character of Superman, first introduced in 1938, has long been portrayed as an alien from the planet Krypton who becomes a hero on Earth. While often used as a symbol of justice and moral clarity, the decision to frame the reboot explicitly around modern U.S. immigration debates has raised questions over the politicization of a major studio franchise — particularly one targeting a broad, family-friendly audience.
Actor Nathan Fillion, who portrays Green Lantern, also dismissed critics. “Just a movie, guys,” he said, adding, “Aw, somebody needs a hug.”
The film, budgeted at $225 million, must gross over $700 million globally to meet profitability targets. Whether the political framing will energize viewers or alienate portions of the audience remains uncertain. Studio executives have not publicly commented on the backlash or the actors' statements.
Superman, starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, opens nationwide on July 11.