Amidst a flurry of controversy sparked by his recent political commentary surrounding the film, Sean Gunn, the actor brother of "Superman" director James Gunn, came to his sibling's defense Monday evening at the glitzy red-carpet premiere of the latest installment. Speaking to Variety amidst the shimmering lights and excitement, Sean Gunn declared that anyone in America opposing immigrants stands against the very fabric of the nation. "Those who shut the door on immigrants turn their back on the American spirit," he emphasized.
Playing the role of Maxwell Lord in the upcoming superhero spectacle, Sean stood firmly by his brother's side after James faced scrutiny for insisting that his movie was imbued with politics and that "Superman," an immigrant at heart, embodied this theme. In an interview with The Times published on Sunday, James Gunn had asserted, "'Superman' is the quintessential American tale—an immigrant who arrived from distant shores to populate our land. For me, it's primarily a narrative celebrating fundamental human decency, a value we seem to have misplaced."
Originating from the fertile imagination of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in 1938, Cleveland, Ohio, Superman, the last son of the doomed planet Krypton, was sent to Earth by his parents as their world crumbled. James Gunn further elaborated that the film would delve into the realms of politics and morality, acknowledging that various parts of the country might perceive it differently. "Indeed, it resonates diversely," he conceded. "It's a testament to human compassion. Inevitably, there will be those unkind souls who find offense merely because it extols kindness. But let them be."
As liberals vociferously oppose President Donald Trump's push to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, Gunn's remarks have stirred a hornet's nest. On the red carpet, Sean Gunn shielded his brother from critics labeled "MAGA" by Variety, who have taken issue with his recent pro-immigrant stance. Neither the interviewer nor Gunn differentiated between legal and illegal immigrants in their discourse.
"My response to the backlash is that it mirrors the movie's core message," Sean declared. "We stand with our people, our beloved immigrants. Superman, an immigrant himself, exemplifies the immigrants we cherish in this land. If you disagree, then you misunderstand what it means to be American."
When Variety inquired about his earlier interview comments, James Gunn adopted a more diplomatic tone. "This film is for everyone," he said. "I have no judgments to pass. I'm not here to condemn anyone. It's a movie about compassion, a universal sentiment we can all embrace."
At the premiere, actor Nathan Fillion, who portrays the superhero Green Lantern in "Superman," was also quizzed about the MAGA backlash against Gunn's statement. With a touch of humor, Fillion replied, "Aw, someone needs a little affection. It's just a movie, folks. Just a movie."
