Superman’s Woke Controversy: Politics and Immigration in James Gunn’s New Film

Blimey, who’d have thought the Man of Steel would cause such a right old barney? As someone who’s covered superhero films since Christopher Reeve was doing his thing, I’ve never seen such a kerfuffle over Superman’s origin story. But here we are in 2025, and James Gunn’s new Superman film has become the latest battlefield in the culture wars before anyone’s even seen the blooming thing!

The Immigration Situation: What’s All the Fuss About?

Let’s get one thing straight: Superman’s always been an immigrant. He’s literally from another planet, innit? But when James Gunn recently mentioned this fairly obvious fact, suggesting the character tells “the story of America,” certain corners of the internet went absolutely mental.

Former Superman actor Dean Cain threw his cape into the ring, acknowledging the immigration angle but reckoning “there have to be limits.” Mate, he’s talking about a bloke who flies around in blue tights not exactly your typical visa application, is it?

Truth, Justice, and… All That Good Stuff?

Here’s where it gets proper interesting. The film’s star, David Corenswet, caused a right stir by referring to Superman’s motto as “truth, justice, all that good stuff” instead of the full “American way” bit. Cue Kellyanne Conway having a meltdown on Fox News faster than you can say “kryptonite.”

But here’s the thing that “American way” line? It wasn’t even part of the original character. It was added during World War II for the radio show, got popular in the ’50s telly version, and didn’t pop up in the comics until 1991. Talk about your fake news!

The Politics of Pants Over Trousers

Remember when superhero films were just about watching someone in a daft costume save the world? These days, you can’t have a caped crusader sneeze without someone claiming it’s pushing an agenda. But let’s be honest Superman’s always been political. From smashing slum housing in his earliest adventures to tackling nuclear arms in the ’80s, big blue’s never shied away from the issues of the day.

FAQ: Your Superman Controversy Questions Answered

Is the new Superman movie actually “woke”?

Since the film hasn’t been released yet, anyone claiming it’s “woke” is jumping the gun faster than a speeding bullet. James Gunn’s comments about Superman’s immigrant status are factually accurate to the character’s 85-year history.

What’s changed about Superman’s motto?

The “American way” phrase wasn’t part of Superman’s original motto – it was added during WWII for radio broadcasts. The character’s core values have always been truth and justice, with additional phrases varying across different media and eras.

Why is this controversy happening now?

The debate reflects broader cultural tensions in 2025, with superhero films increasingly becoming flashpoints for discussions about representation, values, and national identity. Superman, as an iconic character, naturally attracts intense scrutiny.

The Bottom Line

Look, at the end of the day, we’re all getting our knickers in a twist about a film that nobody’s actually watched yet. Perhaps we should wait to see what Gunn’s actually done with the character before going nuclear, eh? Until then, maybe we could focus on whether the film’s actually any good you know, small things like plot, acting, and whether the special effects are better than Henry Cavill’s infamous CGI upper lip.

What do you reckon? Is this whole controversy a storm in a teacup, or does Superman’s immigrant status matter more than ever in 2025? Drop your thoughts in the comments below just try not to start World War III while you’re at it!