Dean Cain, known for his role as Clark Kent in the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, has criticized director James Gunn’s approach to the upcoming DC Universe film Superman. Cain expressed his objections during an interview with TMZ, focusing on Gunn’s emphasis of Superman as an immigrant. This latest film, set to release on July 11th, highlights Superman’s immigrant background, a core aspect that has fueled debate between Cain and the film’s creative team.
Cain’s remarks place him at odds with the creative direction taken by Gunn, who recently described Superman’s story as fundamentally about immigration. Cain has previously voiced disapproval of other reimaginings, including Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. His stance argues that this immigrant focus represents a broader Hollywood trend toward promoting a so-called “woke” ideology, thereby altering long-established characters.
Dean Cain’s Defense of Traditional American Values
In the TMZ interview, Cain emphasized a traditional view of America’s immigrant history and the importance of rules in immigration policy. He argued,
The ‘American way’ is immigrant-friendly, tremendously immigrant-friendly,
but added that it must include limits. He elaborated,
But there are rules. You can’t come in saying, ‘I want to get rid of all the rules in America, because I want it to be more like Somalia.’ Well, that doesn’t work, because you had to leave Somalia to come here… There have to be limits, because we can’t have everybody in the United States. We can’t have everybody, society will fail. So there have to be limits.
Cain extended his critique to Hollywood’s adaptation of iconic characters beyond Superman, questioning,
How woke is Hollywood going to make this character? How much is Disney going to change their Snow White? Why are they going to change these characters [to] exist for the times?
He expressed concern about shifting cultural values being imposed on characters originally created within different social contexts.
Disagreement Within the DC Creative Team
While Cain accepts Superman’s alien origin story, he disputes tying the character’s narrative so overtly to contemporary immigration politics. He stated that this interpretation is a mistake and warned that the political framing could
hurt the numbers on the movie.
Conversely, defense of the immigrant angle has come from James Gunn’s brother and collaborator, Sean Gunn. Sean emphasized their support of immigrants and connected the character’s immigrant story to broader American values, saying,
We love our immigrants. Yes, Superman is an immigrant, and yes, the people that we support in this country are immigrants, and if you don’t like that, you’re not American.
Superman’s Connection to “Truth, Justice, and the American Way”
Dean Cain underscored Superman’s motto,
Truth, Justice, and the American Way,
which has historically been associated with the character. This phrase, though not from the original comics, was popularized by the 1940s Adventures of Superman radio show and reinforced during the Cold War through the 1950s television adaptation. It emerged as a rallying patriotic slogan, linking Superman to American ideals during wartime and geopolitical conflict.
This branding firmly tied the character to a nationalist identity for decades, influencing public perception. However, it also simplified the deeper immigrant allegory that originally shaped Superman’s story. Cain’s remarks focus on this nationalist interpretation as he critiques the newer immigrant framework, which he views as a political agenda rather than an authentic part of the character’s history.
The Original Immigrant Allegory Behind Superman’s Mythos
Superman’s creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, were children of Jewish immigrants, and they originally designed the character as a refugee figure. The story of Kal-El, sent away from his dying homeworld by his parents to find safety on Earth, reflects the immigrant experience of assimilation and maintaining cultural identity. Superman is portrayed as an ultimate outsider who chooses to protect the world that accepts him, symbolizing the immigrant’s journey toward belonging.
This foundational narrative offers a more personal and humanitarian perspective than the purely patriotic slogan. It emphasizes kindness, struggle, and resilience, themes that different creators have explored throughout Superman’s history to redefine what the American way truly represents.
Recent Changes Reflecting a Broader Symbolism
In recent years, DC Comics has shifted Superman’s image away from strict nationalism toward a more universal figure. The iconic motto has been updated in official comics to
Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow,
signaling a desire for broader, global appeal beyond American political confines.
James Gunn’s choice to highlight the immigrant aspect of Superman’s story aligns with a return to these core themes present since the character’s inception. Rather than a reinvention, it represents a renewed focus on the empathy and inclusivity embedded in Superman’s origins, emphasizing his role as an outsider who protects and embraces humanity.
Implications for the Upcoming DC Universe Film
The upcoming film is set to officially launch the new DC Universe chapter with its release on July 11th. The public debate sparked by Cain’s comments and the film’s immigrant-centered narrative underscores how Superman’s character continues to evolve with changing cultural and political contexts. The film aims to revisit and emphasize the immigrant refugees’ story at their core, inviting audiences to engage with this aspect of Superman’s identity.
As the movie approaches its premiere, discussions about the character’s portrayal and the balance between honoring legacy and reflecting modern values are expected to intensify. These debates reflect broader societal conversations about immigration, identity, and representation in contemporary media.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic home and has talked about how prayer still matters to him. However, he also describes himself as somewhat “against religion.”
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. Once Gunn took on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he dedicated himself entirely to that company. This shift meant he stopped working on Marvel Studios projects. Gunn, known for his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, built strong relationships with the films’ actors.
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up as a Catholic in Manchester, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. He has five siblings: actors Sean and Matt, writer Brian, Patrick, and Beth. His family has Irish roots, with his father’s side being Irish immigrants.
