James Gunn Says ‘Superman’ Is a Story About Kindness and the American Immigrant Experience

James Gunn is getting personal about what his new Superman movie really means. In an interview with The Sunday Times, the DC Studios co-head opened up about the ideas behind the upcoming film, and why it feels especially important right now.

Gunn said that Superman is, at its heart, a story about kindness and hope, even in a time when those values can feel lost. “I mean, Superman is the story of America,” he said. “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.”

He pointed out that not everyone will see the film the same way. In today’s divided political climate, Gunn said some people might take offense to the message, but he’s not concerned about that.

“Yes, it plays differently,” he said. “But it’s about human kindness and obviously there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them.”

The new Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Gunn said the movie is political in some ways, but it’s also about deeper questions of right and wrong. “It’s really about their relationship and the way different opinions on basic moral beliefs can tear two people apart,” he said.

“Do you never kill no matter what – which is what Superman believes – or do you have some balance, as Lois believes?”

This version of Superman focuses on a young Clark Kent trying to find a balance between his Kryptonian roots and his human life. He’s already working as a reporter in Metropolis while trying to make sense of his place in the world.

Gunn said that now felt like the right time for a story like this. “This Superman does seem to come at a particular time when people are feeling a loss of hope in other people’s goodness,” he said. “I’m telling a story about a guy who is uniquely good, and that feels needed now because there is a meanness that has emerged due to cultural figures being mean online.”

He added that he doesn’t expect the movie to change the world. But if it helps people be a little more thoughtful, that’s good enough for him. “And, no, I don’t make films to change the world,” he said, “but if a few people could be just a bit nicer after this it would make me happy.”

Superman opens in theaters on July 11.

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