James Gunn, the director at the helm of DC’s new cinematic relaunch, is facing backlash over a seemingly radical idea: Superman should be "kind".
With his much-anticipated film “Superman” set to premiere on July 11, James Gunn is standing firm against criticism that his interpretation of the Man of Steel is “too soft,” unapologetically defending the film’s emotional core.
Superman as an Antidote to Modern Cynicism
“Yes, there will be people who are offended just because this Superman is about kindness,” Gunn told The Times in a new profile. “But ***** them.”
The 2025 reboot, starring David Corenswet as Superman, marks the first major installment in DC Studios' overhauled cinematic universe. It arrives at a time when public discourse is more fragmented, online vitriol more frequent, and media narratives more polarizing than ever. According to Gunn, this makes Superman’s timeless message all the more essential.
Gunn sees this iteration of Superman not as a political statement, but as a counterpoint to the cultural climate. The film, he says, is rooted in decency – a word that feels almost rebellious today.
“I’m telling a story about a guy who is uniquely good,” Gunn said. “And that feels necessary now. There’s a meanness that’s emerged – particularly online – and I include myself in that. Millions of people having tantrums every day. We’ve lost touch with basic decency.”
Gunn further admits the film won’t resonate with everyone – nor is it trying to. Instead, it’s meant to remind audiences of a time when superheroes inspired us not through brutal action but through unwavering moral clarity.
“If a few people walk out of the theater wanting to be a little bit nicer to someone in their life, then I’ve done my job,” he said.
A Superman for a Fractured Nation
The director acknowledges that reactions to the movie vary significantly by geography and worldview. Gunn also suggested that cultural divisions across the U.S. also affect how audiences perceive even the most iconic characters, noting that: “The story plays differently in Kansas than it does in New York.”
Still, Gunn believes Superman’s core values – compassion, humility, perseverance – are not political.
“This is the story of an immigrant, someone who comes from another place and makes a new home here,” Gunn said. “That’s the story of America. But more than that, it’s a story about how human kindness is something we’ve lost. I think it’s time we found it again.”
Internet Culture vs. Heroic Ideals
Gunn has been outspoken about the toxicity of internet discourse, calling the web “a really difficult place for the human brain to be.” He’s especially frustrated by how something as innocent as Superman high-fiving children on set sparked criticism.
“People were calling him weak – a ‘p****’ – because he was nice to kids. What does that say about where we are?” Gunn asked. “It was a beautiful moment. Children see Superman the way they see Santa Claus. David [Corenswet] is Superman to them.”
Despite the negative noise, the director remains undeterred, maintaining that the film’s sincerity is its strength.
A Home for Everyone
The film’s trailer, released earlier this year, features a bruised and bloodied Superman calling out to his loyal companion Krypto the Superdog and asking him to “take me home.” For Gunn, that moment isn’t just about recovery – it’s about belonging.
“I live in rural Georgia. I have friends across the political spectrum,” Gunn said. “Most people are just trying to do the best they can with what they have. I think we forget that.”
Back in December, Gunn hoped the film would “unify” fans, not divide them. He still holds onto that hope, even as the online backlash grows louder.
“The internet has become more polarized than real life,” he said. “People are being told they have to pick a side on everything. But most of us just want to do the right thing. Superman is about that – about doing the right thing, not because you’ll win, but because it’s right.”
The Stakes of Superman
With Superman, Gunn is taking a risk – not with visual effects or convoluted multiverses, but with tone. He’s betting that there’s still room for a sincere, hopeful hero in a cynical world.
And he’s doing it knowing full well that not everyone will appreciate it.
“Some people are going to be jerks. That’s just the world we live in,” Gunn said. “But that doesn’t mean we stop trying to be better. That’s what Superman stands for.”
Whether audiences embrace this softer, more compassionate Kal-El remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: James Gunn isn’t making a Superman who punches his way to victory – he’s making one who cares, and he’s not apologizing for it.