A former Man of Steel has lobbed a culturally charged kryptonite at James Gunn's latest cinematic endeavor. Dean Cain, who donned the iconic cape in the 1990s TV series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," has taken umbrage with Gunn's recent remarks suggesting that his new Superman serves as an allegory for immigration and touches upon "politics." Furthermore, the film has reportedly swapped out Superman's famous motto of "truth, justice, and the American way" for "truth, justice, and the human way" in its promotional materials.
In an interview with TMZ, Cain cited Fox News host Jesse Watters' joke about Superman's cape bearing the insignia of MS-13, a designated terrorist organization, and applauded Watters for making "great political points."
"Just how far will Hollywood push the envelope in revamping this character?" Cain mused. "To what lengths will Disney go to redefine their Snow White? Why the insistent need to mold these icons to resonate with modern sensibilities?" He pressed on, "For Superman, it was a clarion call of 'truth, justice, and the American way.' They've deserted that... I can't fathom this as a prudent decision. If the aspiration is to birth a novel character, by all means, proceed. But for me, Superman has forever encapsulated 'truth, justice, and the American way' — a philosophy deeply rooted in immigrant-friendliness. However, there are bounds to this adaptability. One cannot arrive on these shores advocating for the dismantling of all American norms merely because they aspire to replicate Somalia. Such logic crumbles under scrutiny, for it was the very escape from Somalia that brought them here. It defies reason. If individuals seek economic opportunities, let us delve into the failings of their governments and the reasons behind the scarcity of those opportunities. And let there be limits; we cannot open our doors to everyone without risking the very fabric of our society."
Cain reportedly further added that Gunn's comments were unnecessary since "We're all aware that Superman is an immigrant — he's an extraterrestrial being, for crying out loud."
It's worth noting that it doesn't appear Cain has viewed the new film, which critics have largely hailed as a crowd-pleaser that isn't overtly political. USA Today points out, "While Gunn doesn't overload the narrative with political undertones, themes, and personas, he firmly emphasizes that kindness is the superpower we should all regularly harness."
Cain's reaction stems from Gunn's viral comments to the Times UK, which delved into the film's message. "Superman is the story of America," Gunn elucidated. "An immigrant who arrived from elsewhere to populate the country. But for me, it's primarily a tale that underscores the value of basic human kindness, something we've lost." He acknowledged that Superman might be interpreted differently among various political groups and didn't mind if some took offense. "Yes, it resonates differently," Gunn said. "But it's about human kindness, and obviously, there will be jerks out there who aren't kind and will find it offensive just because it champions kindness. But screw them... This Superman emerges at a time when people are experiencing a loss of hope in others' goodness. I'm narrating a story about a uniquely good individual, which feels necessary now amidst the meanness perpetuated by mean cultural figures online."
Gunn added, "And no, I don't make films to revolutionize the world, but if a few people could be just a tad nicer afterward, it would make me happy."
"Superman" soars into theaters today, aiming for a box office debut exceeding $100 million as DC ventures to launch a new heroic universe. The film stars David Corenswet ("Twisters," "Pearl") as the titular character, Rachel Brosnahan ("The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "House of Cards") as his love interest and journalist Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult ("Nosferatu," "The Menu") as the villain, Lex Luthor.
