Dean Cain, the Japanese American actor who portrayed Superman in the 1990s television series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” criticized director James Gunn’s approach to the upcoming “Superman” film, arguing that his political framing could alienate some fans and impact box office performance.
“Story of America”
The new “Superman” film, starring David Corenswet, is scheduled to premiere in U.S. theaters on July 11 and is expected to be one of the summer’s major releases.
Gunn, who wrote the film, described “Superman” as “the story of America … an immigrant that came from other places,” emphasizing themes of kindness he believes are often absent from contemporary discourse. The DC Studios CEO said he expected controversy whenever kindness is interpreted as a political act.
Other voices involved with the production, such as actors Sean Gunn and Nathan Fillion, have defended the updated themes, arguing that supporting immigrants aligns with American values and dismissing critics as overly sensitive.
“Political Kryptonite”
In an interview with TMZ, Cain, 58, said he was “so excited” for the new movie until Gunn “had to break out the political Kryptonite” by describing Superman as an immigrant figure representing modern America. Gunn’s comments positioned the superhero as a symbol for immigrants and framed the story as an exploration of American values, a stance Cain believes risks souring a portion of the fandom.
Cain questioned whether Hollywood is reshaping iconic characters to reflect current socio-political trends, noting the shift from Superman’s traditional motto of “truth, justice and the American way” to alternatives like “truth, justice and a better tomorrow.” The actor warned that audiences “don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to” and suggested that excessive political focus could detract from the franchise’s success.
Conservative commentators, including Fox News hosts Jesse Watters and Kellyanne Conway, echoed similar concerns and mocked the film’s perceived “woke” agenda. Still, Cain expressed hope for the film’s success, praising Gunn’s humor and saying he remains interested in how the story unfolds.
This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices.
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