Hollywood rarely witnesses a director this brazen. James Gunn doesn’t just defend his Superman movie. He calls out the world. The filmmaker who transformed the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise now faces critics on two fronts. Conservative outlets branded his latest film “SuperWoke.” International audiences remain lukewarm. His response? A shocking admission about global anti-American sentiment.
The controversy erupted when Gunn described Superman as an immigrant story. Fox News and other right-wing media outlets pounced. They labeled the film political propaganda. Dean Cain, a former Superman actor, predicted box office doom. The backlash intensified across social media platforms.
James Gunn Fights Back Against ‘Woke’ Critics While Revealing International Box Office Challenges
Gunn pushes back against the “woke” accusations while pointing to global anti-American sentiment as the real culprit behind Superman’s struggling international performance. The director reveals a stark reality. America’s global image affects superhero movies too. “We have a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world right now. It isn’t really helping us,” Gunn told Rolling Stone. His candid assessment exposes Hollywood’s new challenge.
James Gunn Doesn’t Get How ‘Superman’ Is ‘Considered Woke’ and Says ‘Anti-American Sentiment Around the World’ Isn’t ‘Helping Us’ at Global Box Officehttps://t.co/IZcgiY4Elz
— Variety (@Variety) July 21, 2025
The numbers tell a compelling story. Superman soars domestically with $235 million after two weekends. International markets deliver only $171 million. This disparity troubles studio executives. Gunn acknowledges the gap but remains optimistic about word-of-mouth growth. He points to strong performances in Brazil and the United Kingdom.
Conservative criticism appears toothless against domestic audiences. American moviegoers embrace Gunn’s vision of kindness over politics. The director emphasizes his core message. Superman represents compassion, not ideology. “The center of the movie for me is kindness,” Gunn explains. He argues kindness once defined American values. Now it seems forgotten.
International resistance presents a different challenge entirely. Superman lacks Batman’s global recognition in many territories. Cultural perceptions of America compound this problem. Gunn accepts this reality while defending his artistic choices. The filmmaker planted seeds for the DC Universe’s future. Early reception suggests those seeds might flourish despite global headwinds. Success breeds confidence, and Gunn radiates both as he charts Superman’s destiny.
Also Read: James Gunn Slams Unrealistic Expectations for Superman Amid Questions Over Box Office Performance
