Los Angeles, CA, July 9, 2025 – Dean Cain, known for portraying Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997), has called the controversy surrounding director James Gunn’s comments about the upcoming Superman film an “avoidable mistake” that could harm its box office performance. The remarks, reported by TMZ on July 9, 2025, come as Gunn’s film, set for release on July 11, 2025, faces backlash from conservative media and commentators over its portrayal of Superman as an “immigrant.”
The Controversy
The uproar began when Gunn, in an interview with The Sunday Times, described his Superman film as a story about “an immigrant that came from other places” and emphasized “basic human kindness” as a lost American value. These comments, made ahead of the film’s premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on July 7, 2025, were seized upon by conservative outlets like Fox News, which labeled the film “Superwoke.” Pundits such as Kellyanne Conway criticized it, stating, “We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to,” while Jesse Watters sarcastically suggested “MS-13” was written on Superman’s cape.
Sean Gunn, the director’s brother and an actor in the film playing Maxwell Lord, escalated the debate by telling Variety, “People who say no to immigrants are against the American way,” further inflaming critics. X posts amplified the sentiment, with users like @614saint_ noting Fox News calling the film “superwoke” on multiple gym TVs, and @EndWokeness sharing Sean Gunn’s remarks to highlight the political divide.
Dean Cain’s Perspective
Cain, an outspoken conservative, told TMZ that Gunn’s comments were a misstep, given Superman’s established origin as an alien from Krypton, sent to Earth as a baby and raised with “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” as core values since his 1938 creation by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, children of Jewish immigrants. Cain argued that framing Superman explicitly as an immigrant in the context of 2025’s polarized political climate, amid the Trump administration’s intensified ICE raids, risks alienating audiences. He believes the controversy could have been avoided by focusing on universal themes rather than politically charged language, predicting a potential “ding” in box office returns. Despite this, Cain expressed hope for the film’s success.
Superman’s Immigrant Roots
Superman’s narrative as Kal-El, a refugee from a doomed planet adopted by a Kansas family, has long been interpreted as an immigrant allegory, particularly given Siegel and Shuster’s heritage. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees even published a 2017 book in Italy titled Superman Was a Refugee Too, reinforcing this reading. Gizmodo and Rolling Stone note that Gunn’s comments align with this historical context, but critics like Ben Shapiro argue the film separates Superman from “classic American values,” while others, like @SirBylHolte on X, controversially label him an “illegal alien.”
Film Reception and Context
The Superman reboot, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, has received mixed early reviews. The A.V. Club praises its “earnest, confident” take, embracing Superman’s outsider perspective, while Daily Mail reports “two-star reviews” calling it a “migraine of a movie” for its busy narrative. CBC News critiques its frenetic pacing, suggesting the immigrant subplot is overshadowed by structural issues.
Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, has dismissed the backlash, telling Variety he has “nothing to say to anybody” spreading negativity, while cast members like Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner) lightened the mood, joking, “Somebody needs a hug. It’s just a movie, guys.” The film, budgeted at $200 million, faces pressure to perform amid a competitive summer box office and a polarized audience.
Implications
Cain’s comments reflect a broader cultural debate about injecting contemporary politics into iconic franchises. As The Christian Science Monitor notes, the 2025 Superman mirrors societal tensions, portraying a hero suspected for his alien origins—a theme resonant with current immigration debates. Whether the controversy impacts ticket sales remains to be seen, but it underscores the challenge of reimagining a nearly 90-year-old character for a divided audience. For updates, visit tmz.com or variety.com.