James Gunn And SUPERMAN's Cast Respond To So-Called "MAGA Outrage" Following "Superwoke" Backlash

James Gunn And SUPERMAN's Cast Respond To So-Called "MAGA Outrage" Following "Superwoke" Backlash

Superman director James Gunn and stars Sean Gunn and Nathan Fillion have weighed in with their thoughts on the backlash that followed the filmmaker's comments about the DCU reboot being an immigrant story.

By JoshWilding - Jul 08, 2025 05:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

An interview with Superman director James Gunn was published over the weekend, and it generated a lot of discussion. In the piece, the filmmaker called the movie "the story of America" and added, "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."

Gunn later acknowledged that Superman is about "politics" and "morality," and made it clear he's not bothered about offending anyone. Well, Fox News was offended. 

In a segment that saw Superman dubbed "Superwoke," network anchor Kellyanne Conway said, "We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to and to have somebody throw their ideology onto us." Jesse Watters added, "You know what it says on his cape? MS13."

Variety made a point of asking Gunn and the movie's cast about this on the red carpet last night, and got what they wanted: a headline that reads, "James Gunn, Nathan Fillion and More on MAGA Outrage Over Director Saying Superman Is an Immigrant."

However, Gunn, his brother Sean (who plays Maxwell Lord), and Guy Gardner actor Nathan Fillion handled that so-called backlash in a respectful, largely non-offensive manner. 

"I’m not here to judge people," a bemused Gunn told the trade's reporter. "I think this is a movie about kindness and I think that’s something everyone can relate to."

Sean expanded on that by getting a little more political. "My reaction to [the backlash] is that it is exactly what the movie is about. We support our people, you know? We love our immigrants. Yes, Superman is an immigrant, and yes, the people that we support in this country are immigrants and if you don’t like that, you’re not American. People who say no to immigrants are against the American way."

That last part might not go down too well with those who feel very differently about the hot-button topic of immigration. However, Sean's role in the movie is expected to be relatively minor and, unlike his brother, isn't as intrinsically linked to Superman.

It's hard to think of a director who has received this much media attention while promoting a superhero movie. Gunn has appeared heavily in promos and even shown up in Love Island, Rick and Morty, and Jeopardy. That's a big part of why everything he says is being dissected. 

Asked for his thoughts, Fillion simply stated, "Aw, somebody needs a hug. Just a movie, guys."

You can hear more from the Superman trio in the players below. 

Superman, DC Studios' first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures.

In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.  

The movie stars David Corenswet in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Also appearing are Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, and Milly Alcock.

Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 7/8/2025, 5:21 AM
@vectorsigma - Literally nothing negative about it. 😂😂😂
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 5:25 AM
@JoshWilding - depends on who reads it i guess. I know you are just reporting it before anything else. Lolz
Rexotron
Rexotron - 7/8/2025, 5:44 AM
@vectorsigma - I read the same thing dude! "Critics hate how Mexican Superman is" I'm not actually quoting. Just reading between the lines lol
Canyoublush
Canyoublush - 7/8/2025, 5:45 AM
@vectorsigma - Warner bros have a shares in rotten tomatoes. Go figure. Let’s see the box office result by the end of next week. One reaction encapsulated this movie perfectly.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 5:56 AM
@Canyoublush - sure, so why in the hell not all WB films have good RT scores???? 😅
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 5:56 AM
@Rexotron - exactly, josh is defensive but we all know what he wants out of this 😭
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/8/2025, 6:49 AM
@vectorsigma -
User Comment Image
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 7:52 AM
@AllsGood - someone is grumpy Superman is getting good early reactions 😭
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/8/2025, 8:17 AM
@vectorsigma - I been cheering for James Gunn Superman from Day One. I hope it's Hits 1 Billion Plus at the Box Office.

I actually feel bad for DC fans been to Hell and Back deserve one win. I will be watching DCU Superman on Thursday.
Kiba
Kiba - 7/8/2025, 8:36 AM
@JoshWilding - Sure there is. I wouldn't be surprised if your butthole was so puckered by the positive reviews you were just aching to throw something negative into the fire to get people worked up. That's the kind of scum you are.
Urubrodi
Urubrodi - 7/8/2025, 5:21 AM
People say no to ILLEGAL immigrants (it's always annoying when that key word is forgotten). Of course there will be morons out there wanting legitimate people out, but at least I like to believe they are in the minority.

As for the movie, as long as it is about kindness as Gunn says and not overcharged with politics, I don't see a problem with that.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/8/2025, 6:00 AM
@Urubrodi - And at no point did Gunn say the illegal bit from what I read which is what is weird to me with the reactions, if it isn't pushing the idea SPECIFICALY in regard to illegal immigrants and he only acknowledges that America is a nation founded by immigrants (sans the illegal bit) and Superman is an immigrant (sans the illegal bit) then what was the fuss about?

He was asked a dumb question and quickly pivoted to saying the film was about kindness and morality after stating a basic truth, sounded fair enough to me but then not American so...
Urubrodi
Urubrodi - 7/8/2025, 6:11 AM
@Apophis71 - Yeah, I think people are confusing things. I don't think it was Gunn's intention but when he starts talking about immigrants in a movie based on one of America's most popular superheroes, when the country is currently kicking illegal immigrants out (at least on paper is should be just illegal ones), things start getting mixed up. His quotes are being taken as him going against the current government's policies and using Superman as a platform for that. That's a great example as to why you shouldn't mix politics with this type of movies.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/8/2025, 6:32 AM
@Urubrodi - It does not help that most the time reporting is selective responses out of context of the whole without also quoting the actual questions and that most only READ the text of those selective comments thus without any of the body language or vocal intonations we would rely more heavily on IRL than the specific words themselves.

I mean where I grew up two words, F' off, could mean a LOT of things from friends jovially saying 'your joking aren't you' through to aggresively telling someone to go away and a multitude of things between those two extremes which you won't get without, full context, body language and vocal intonations.
Urubrodi
Urubrodi - 7/8/2025, 6:36 AM
@Apophis71 - Oh yeah definitely, which is why Gunn should be more careful about how he addresses certain topics imo. After so many years working with Feige he should have learned that sometimes you should only say the bare minimum. Cause you can be damn sure that there will be some people out there that will avoid this movie after that quote. And we can debate whether they are right or wrong and how big of an impact that would be in the BO, but won't change the fact that he will lose part of the audience.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/8/2025, 6:48 AM
@Urubrodi - I wonder if he got frustrated with Feige for saying so little and preventing him talking much in regard to GotG thus now going to the other extreme now he is the boss. It is very human that if kept silent for a long time when eventualy able to freely you will talk WAY TOO MUCH, lol.

Hopefully at some point he will find a happy middle ground :D
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 7/8/2025, 7:11 AM
@Urubrodi - This is something that Democrats constantly do. They purposely leave out the ILLEGAL part of illegal immigrants. Whenever they make their arguments this is what they do. Which kind of negates their arguments, considering even Republicans aren't worried about legal immigrants in the country.
MikeyL
MikeyL - 7/8/2025, 7:24 AM
@Urubrodi - isn’t Superman classed as an illegal immigrant? I don’t think he’s filed any official paper work or applied for anything
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 7/8/2025, 7:56 AM
@Urubrodi - "at least on paper is should be just illegal ones"

They're also revoking the legal status of many folks and then deporting them. ICE is also detaining citizens, and have deported a handful. More recently, the president has mentioned–twice–that he's considering deporting citizens as well. It was never really about "illegal."
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 7/8/2025, 8:05 AM
@CorndogBurglar - "They purposely leave out the ILLEGAL part of illegal immigrants . . . Which kind of negates their arguments, considering even Republicans aren't worried about legal immigrants in the country."

Someone should tell the White House. Entering the country illegally is a civil infraction, punishable with a fine of up to $250, not a crime. Setting that aside, ICE has been showing up at immigration hearings to deport people who are trying to do things "the right way." They are revoking legal status to previously protected groups and then deporting them for being illegal. Presidential adviser Laura Loomer was joking that the alligators surrounding the Dade-Collier detention camps would have "at least 65 million meals if we start now," which is the total number of Latinos living in America, regardless of citizenship status. And now The Whitehouse is floating waivers for undocumented workers in agriculture and construction.

In short, it was never just about "illegal" immigrants.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 7/8/2025, 8:26 AM
@Urubrodi - Agreed, but the left always conflates the two.

Superman is actually the ultimate refuge (a legitimate one). His home planet was destroyed, he was sent here as a baby and adopted by a midwestern couple, raised on patriotic American values (like truth and Justice), assimilated to our values and culture, and contributed to the betterment of society as the ultimate protector (law enforcer). He basically became a super cop. His story mimicked that of his creators (two Jewish immigrants).

He didn’t break into our nation, burn our flag, commit other (in many cases) hyper-violent crimes, and seek our public assistance programs. He contributed positively. America is a sovereign nation. Obama was known as the “Deporter in chief” because of his policies on illegal immigration. It’s only bad now because the media and Hollywood says it is. The truth is many Americans have been victimized by those who should have never been allowed to enter and remain in the greatest nation on the planet. Open boarders is not compassion, it’s National suicide. That’s said, those with ZERO criminal record who have been here for ten years or more and are employed, should have a path to citizenship, I believe. But that is besides the point. Superman is the story of proper immigration and the left is wrong when they believe that the right does not support Legal immigration and those who believe in the real American dream, like Superman.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 7/8/2025, 8:30 AM
@Clintthahamster - 8 US Code 1325: Improper Entey by Alien

(a)Improper time or place; avoidance of examination or inspection; misrepresentation and concealment of facts

Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.

(b)Improper time or place; civil penaltiesAny alien who is apprehended while entering (or attempting to enter) the United States at a time or place other than as designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil penalty of—

(1)

at least $50 and not more than $250 for each such entry (or attempted entry); or

(2)

twice the amount specified in paragraph (1) in the case of an alien who has been previously subject to a civil penalty under this subsection.

Civil penalties under this subsection are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any criminal or other civil penalties that may be imposed.

(c)Marriage fraud

Any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both.

(d)Immigration-related entrepreneurship fraud

Any individual who knowingly establishes a commercial enterprise for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined in accordance with title 18, or both.

Bucky74
Bucky74 - 7/8/2025, 8:39 AM
@Apophis71 - That’s a fair argument. They way it was said though implies that he’s pushing an agenda, which many are sick of. I’m seeing it tonight (despite getting a first degree sunburn on my feet, lol) so I really hope they don’t push their politics hard, and that they simply made a fun heartfelt film.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 7/8/2025, 8:42 AM
@Clintthahamster - The statute clearly says violators can be fined, imprisoned up to 6 months, or both.

The first violation is a misdemeanor. It is 100% a crime. 2nd offense is a felony.

But let me ask you, how did you feel about Obama when he became the president who deported the most illegal immigrants of any president in the country's history? He deported over 3 million illegal immigrants in his two terms. Did you have any issues with that? Because I dont remember anyone making a big deal about it.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/8/2025, 8:42 AM
@CorndogBurglar - I mean both sides of a two party system will have HUGE issues with how they frame things and what their stated priorities are, but currently it is at a point where a guy born in a US armed forces Hospital to a US citizen father serving in the US military has been stated as being an illegal immigrant and deported to a country he has never even visited let alone was born in so it is all rather messy currently.

Technicaly he wasn't born IN America (was a German US base I believe) but he had all the required paperwork when his Dad brought him back home, married an American, has American kids and now homeless in Jamaica as I understand things.

I mean, sure he also has a criminal record from what I read but...

...as I understand the history the requirement of paperwork to enter America only became a thing last century so for most of American history there WAS NO legal documents which also complicates the conversations on such matters.

However, yes, generaly most folk (on all sides typicaly) will have an issue with illegal or undocumented migration (especialy if the break the law once in the country AFTER entering illegaly or overstaying a Visa). The true debate tends to be nuanced however in regard to the process of who/how any are departed (due process or not for instance) and if there should be legal ways to obtain documents if for whatever reason someone is/becomes illegal or not but the talk makes it always sound more polar opposites.

My Son in laws work colleague (in the UK) fell foul of these sort of nuanced issues recently, he and his partner entered Britain legaly and both working/paying taxes etc at well paid jobs and never broke any laws whilst here. Then if I remember the specifics correctly the relationship ended or his partner lost her job (one or the other) and due to the specifics of the Visa it meant this dude who is a highly paid accountant was technicaly going to be illegal, HAVE to leave the country then reapply on his own to return (rather than with his partner) to continue with his employment as there is no mechanism to fix the legal status whilst still in Britain working for the company. Nobody wants that sort of stoopidity but...
captainwalker
captainwalker - 7/8/2025, 8:45 AM
@Clintthahamster - Revoking the legal status of those that received it without due process. If you skip due process coming in you don't get it when we kick you out.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 7/8/2025, 8:46 AM
@CorndogBurglar - Superman was adopted as a baby, making him a legal American citizen.
BaddestOptics
BaddestOptics - 7/8/2025, 8:46 AM
@Urubrodi - crazy because when we suggest hiring more immigration judges to vet these people and let more of them in, you all cry about that. Wonder why that is...
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 7/8/2025, 8:49 AM
@Apophis71 - I agree that the process needs to be cleaned up. It is messy.

But that isn't what I see people arguing about. It gets mentioned, sure. But leftists seem to be against deportation of illegal immigrants in general. You can see it in these very comments.

A lot of it comes down to hating Trump. I'm not his biggest fan either. I think he's a cartoon character. But he could literally find a cure for cancer and make it readily available to everyone and people would still attack him for it. People are literally blaming him for the flood in TX. This is how ridiculous things are getting.

The problem isnt deporting illegal immigrants. The problem is how its being done.
AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 7/8/2025, 5:22 AM
You won't get Nolan so things like this. He just makes films.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 7/8/2025, 6:18 AM
@AllsNotGood - It seems to me that now 90% of the cast and crew's job in interviews is to just deflect these kind of stupid ass questions to avoid any controversy...





https://youtube.com/shorts/1OyNwaxVYi4?si=QX_KRWna5Gjslzoa







dragon316
dragon316 - 7/8/2025, 8:01 AM
@AllsNotGood - he’s smart he doesn’t care about critics review and rotten tomatoes scores he makes them for him and fans what he thinks is good
AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 7/8/2025, 5:22 AM
Immigrants have never been the problem..... illegals well that's a different story
tBHzHomer
tBHzHomer - 7/8/2025, 5:28 AM
@AllsNotGood - you should maybe a little closer attention, because they are going after legal immigrants, too.
AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 7/8/2025, 5:29 AM
@tBHzHomer - show me please
Latverian
Latverian - 7/8/2025, 6:23 AM
@AllsNotGood -

7/11.

Ihop.

Walmart.

Mandated court hearings.

You know, those places that they go to LEGALLY work, or so that they can maintain their citizenship LEGALLY?

The rest of your cult is slowly but surely feeling comfortable enough to show their true colours. Either join them on your own, or wait 'till you get frustrated enough to shout that which you now only whisper.
SpiderParker
SpiderParker - 7/8/2025, 6:51 AM
@AllsNotGood - Lucky for you, your ancestors weren't deported, huh?
AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 7/8/2025, 7:26 AM
@SpiderParker - my dad was a legal immigrant into the UK. He had work before coming here
Vigor
Vigor - 7/8/2025, 8:00 AM
@AllsNotGood - we honestly have more issues from domestic terrorism than we do from illegals' violence

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