In an era marked by division, Superman director James Gunn believes his movie and the Man of Steel can offer something meaningful… unity.
Gunn’s vision for Superman centers on the timeless values the character represents including goodness, love, hope, and moral integrity, and he hopes these ideals can resonate beyond the screen.
The filmmaker shared his perspective in an interview with IGN, acknowledging the heightened polarization of today’s society, often amplified by the internet.
He said: “Listen, I do think that things have become really polarizing, and my life is just not that. The internet has become polarizing, and it’s much more polarizing than life is.
“I live in rural Georgia and I have friends of all different political persuasions. I’m not a person that believes in cutting someone out because their politics are different than mine.”
Rather than diving into divisive discourse, Gunn emphasized the shared humanity that unites us, reflecting on the universal desire to make compassionate choices, despite the black-and-white narratives often seen online.
“Most of us are trying to do our best,” he said. “And I think at the end of the day, most of us are making the best choices we can for ourselves and trying to do things compassionately.”
he believes that Superman embodies values that transcend political divides: “I would hope that Superman does unify us a little bit because he is just about those core values that I think everyone believes in.
“Not everyone, but almost everyone believes in. Hopefully, this is outside of that realm of political discourse in that respect.”
Gunn goes on to say: “If we can focus on our humanity, which is what Superman is about as a character and as a movie, and focus on doing the best we can day-to-day, then it’s a little bit healing, but not a lot.”
The first teaser for Superman:offers a glimpse into this vision, opening with a battered Superman calling out to his loyal dog, Krypto, for help. Gunn explained that this moment is a metaphor for finding solace in the familiar values the character represents.
“At the beginning of this trailer, Superman wants Krypto to take him home. And I think that this is a place where we can all go home, to a character that we love, to the simplicity of the morals and goodness and love that Superman embodies as a character.”
For Gunn, the return of Superman isn’t just about reinvigorating a beloved iconic character, it’s about providing a moment of reflection and hope.
“I think it’s something that could be a good thing for us,” he concluded. I love Gunn’s outlook on this.
Suoperman is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 11, 2025.