Sean Gunn Responds to MAGA Backlash Over “Superman Is an Immigrant” Remark: “We Love Our Immigrants”
The new Superman movie hasn’t even hit theaters everywhere yet, and it’s already become the center of a political storm, especially over director James Gunn’s comments calling Superman “an immigrant.”
In an interview with The Times of London, James Gunn explained what the story of Superman means to him. He said it’s “the story of America” and that the film shows how “an immigrant came from other places and populated the country.”
But what matters most to him, he said, is that the movie is really about kindness. “Basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost,” Gunn told the paper. He admitted the story does involve “politics” and “morality,” and he knows not everyone will be happy about that. In fact, he added bluntly, “There are jerks out there who are just not kind… but screw them.”
The immigrant roots of Superman aren’t a new idea. The superhero’s creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, were Jewish sons of immigrants, and DC Comics has previously referred to Superman as a “refugee.” Still, some right-wing voices weren’t happy to hear Gunn bring that theme front and center again.
On Fox News’ The Five, the panel slammed Gunn’s take. Kellyanne Conway, who worked in the Trump White House, said, “We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to and to have somebody throw their ideology onto us.” Host Jesse Watters took it even further, saying, “You know what it says on his cape? MS-13.”
Kellyanne on Superman: We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to—
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 7, 2025
Watters: You know what it says on his cape? MS13 pic.twitter.com/F1PBPeE9nf
Despite the pushback, James Gunn stood by his film when asked about the controversy at the Superman premiere in Los Angeles. Speaking to Variety, he said, “I think this is a movie about kindness and I think that’s something everyone can relate to. I’m not here to judge people.”
Sean Gunn, James’s brother, who plays Maxwell Lord in the film, didn’t hold back. Also speaking to Variety, he said, “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.” Then he added, “If you don’t like that, you’re not American. People who say no to immigrants are against the American way.”
Sean Gunn on the MAGA backlash to Superman being called an immigrant: "People who say no to immigrants are against the American way." pic.twitter.com/XgivaD34PE
— Variety (@Variety) July 8, 2025
With the film’s release just around the corner, it’s clear Superman is stirring up some big conversations—even before audiences see it. But the message the Gunn brothers are sending is simple: Superman stands for kindness, and kindness shouldn’t be political.
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