Superman (2025): Justice, Truth and Political Controversy
Superman (2025), directed by James Gunn, revives the controversy over immigration, politics and the iconic Man of Steel.
Photo published by the official White House account of the United States in X
The premiere of the latest interpretation of the Man of Steel, Superman (2025), directed by veteran superhero filmmaker James Gunn, has generated both excitement and controversy in various political sectors.
Gunn insists that Superman, the world's most iconic superhero, represents the immigrant experience in the United States. On the other hand, right-wing commentators and officials reject this interpretation, insisting that progressive politics have infiltrated and transformed a character who should represent "the American way."
This article offers a brief analysis of the history of the Man of Steel, demonstrating how he became a popular culture icon. It also provides a summary of the controversial reactions that Superman (2025) has generated since its premiere this Tuesday.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Superman!
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster they created Superman, Supposedly in 1933, when both artists were attending high school in Cleveland, Ohio. Superman made his first public appearance in Action Comics # 1 in 1938, and became an almost instant hit, marking the beginning of the Golden Age of Comic Books.
In his first appearance, Siegel and Shuster devoted only a single page to Superman's origin, but that page was enough to establish one of the most famous origins in comics. A scientist, on a planet doomed to destruction, uses his final moments to send his newborn son to a distant planet, where he can survive. This baby develops marvelous powers, and as he grows up, he assumes the mantle of Superman:
“Champion of the oppressed, the physical prodigy who has sworn to dedicate his existence to helping those in need.” – Action Comics # 1, 1938.
Over the years, this origin has expanded to include other iconic details: that Superman was named “Kal-El” at birth, that his original planet was called “Krypton,” and that, upon landing on Earth, Superman was adopted by a kind-hearted couple in the Kansas countryside called the Kents.
The Last Son of Krypton
From his origins, Superman was portrayed as an alien who came to Earth from another planet. The character's creators, Siegel and Shuster, were the children of Jewish immigrants who fled Europe for the chance of a better life in the United States. Superman's identity as an immigrant story is a concept that has received more attention in recent interpretations of the character, but it is not new.
This is a point that James Gunn highlighted when discussing his film with The Sunday Times Last week, in an interview that has generated much controversy from the conservative side of the political spectrum, the director describes his film as follows:
“I mean, Superman is the story of the United States. An immigrant who came from somewhere else and populated the country, but for me, above all, it's a story that says that basic human kindness is a value, and it's something we've lost.”
Conservative figures, especially several Fox News “reporters,” They criticized intensely Gunn's comments in a segment aired Monday.
“We don’t go to the movies to be preached to or to have someone impose their ideology on us.” – Kellyanne Conway.
One of the reporters, Jesse Walters, joked that Superman's cape said "MS-13." He also asked if Superman "is from Uganda" or if the film includes "a romantic scene between Batman and Robin."
What's so funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way?
The United States White House received harsh criticism for publishing an altered photo of President Trump this morning. The photo shows President Trump's head on the body of David Corenswet, who plays Superman in the new film.
The publication celebrates President Trump by comparing him to Superman, and includes the text:
“THE SYMBOL OF HOPE. TRUTH. JUSTICE. THE AMERICAN WAY. SUPERMAN TRUMP. 🇺🇸”
The post was criticized by several leftist figures, including Representative Robert Garcia of California. compared the president with Superman's nemesis, Lex Luthor: a manipulative billionaire who infiltrates the political scene.
We will see if all the controversy that Superman (2025 has generated will have any effect on its performance at the box office.
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