The Politics of Superman, an American Hero

James Gunn has brought Superman back to life in the twelfth rendition of the hero in film and TV. Superman (2025) not only got Krypto, the cape and red trunks but brought a relevant political message along with them. 

Prior to the release of the film, director James Gunn had referred to the well-known hero as an “immigrant,” sparking controversy on the internet amongst fans. Mostly, people argued that the character of Superman was meant to be a true American hero, citing the character's most well known slogan "Truth, Justice, and the American Way," (which changed in 2021 to “Truth, Justice and a better tomorrow"). However, by definition, Superman is an immigrant. 

“I mean, ‘Superman’ is the story of America,” James Gunn said in an interview with The Sunday Times. “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.”

This is the story of an immigrant: A man that came from a different place (in this case a different planet) finding a home in the United States. Superman arrives with the best intentions, even if some people do not accept him. In the film, there were even instances of the famed villain, Lex Luthor, referring to Superman as an “alien” and using this against him. 

Sean Gunn, brother of James Gunn, made a cameo in the Superman film as Maxwell Lord. In an interview with Variety at the LA premier of Superman, Sean Gunn spoke up about the MAGA backlash after James Gunn referred to Superman as an immigrant. 

“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." 

Interestingly enough, this reference to Superman’s nationality is not the first time that the hero has been labeled an immigrant. The 1993 TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, in which Superman is played by Dean Cain, features a scene where Superman is stopped by immigration officers asking to see his Green Card. Dean Cain expressed his concerns over James Gunn’s statement of Superman being an immigrant.

 Cain stated that while America is "extremely immigrant friendly,” he told TMZ that he thinks: 

“bringing Superman into it… I think that was a mistake by James Gunn to say it’s an immigrant thing, and I think it’s going to hurt the numbers on the movie. I was excited for the film. I am excited to see what it is… I’m rooting for it to be a success, but I don’t like that last political comment.”

And in the 2001 TV series Smallville, Clark Kent is played by Tom Welling, who refers to himself as "an illegal immigrant" in the show. 

Aside from Superman’s citizenship and lack thereof in America, the character was also heavily anti-war in the new film. As the media highlights the genocide in Gaza in recent years, the conflict in the film directly imitates that of the one we are witnessing now. 

In the beginning of the film, the audience is told that Superman has interfered with the country of Boravia’s attempt to invade neighboring Jarhanpur. This conflict on-screen stuck with viewers that noticed the parallels between this geopolitical conflict and that of Palestine and Israel. 

The Boravians were a close ally to America, and LuthorCorps was heavily funding and arming the Boravian army for their invasion of Jarhanpur, much like the United States aid and role in Israel's apartheid against Palestine. We learn that the goal of Boravia was to take over the land of Jarhanpur. 

One scene that resonated with viewers the most featured a child from Jarhanpur, faced an entire Boravian army and holding on tight to a Superman flag, begging for the hero to help. 

A post on X that garnered over 100k likes agreed: “s**t made me cry cause in real life no one is coming to save you. those poor kids in Gaza being massacred with no hope in sight. I still can’t believe he made a superman movie about palestine.” 

The “he” being referenced is James Gunn, who has been silent regarding Palestine and Israel. Generally, no one connected to the film has claimed that it is a depiction of the conflict. 

However, it seems that Gunn understands that the film is inherently political. 

“Yes, it’s about politics,” Gunn said in his interview with The Sunday Times. “But on another level it’s about morality.” 

Still, the film shows varying perspectives across the characters. While Superman is stubborn in his assertion that he did what needed to be done to save people, Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, is more hesitant. Throughout the film, she questions the morals of getting involved in the on-screen conflict between the two nations. 

But despite the assertions of some online viewers and right-wing critics, Superman has always been “woke.” The original comic was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster who were both born to Jewish immigrants, and tells the story of an immigrant. Superman is an allegory for the resilience and goodness of the people in America, the ones that fight for equality, in the U.S. and in Palestine. Superman not only inspired hope in people on-screen, but he is a sign of hope for people off-screen to continue to do the right thing.

This film serves as a reminder to us all that kindness is heroic.