Superman director James Gunn has stepped on a hot-button topic in the US after likening the superhero to an immigrant.
“Superman is the story of America,” Gunn told The Times over the weekend. “An immigrant who came from another place and populated the country, but for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”
Gunn's comment courted controversy among right-wing commentators and supporters of US President Donald Trump's sweeping anti-immigration policies, which have sparked nationwide protests.
“We don’t go to the movie theatre to be lectured to and to have somebody throw their ideology on to us,” said Kellyanne Conway, a Fox News host and former campaign manager for Trump.
Meanwhile, Fox News host Laura Ingraham shared a link to the Gunn interview on X and commented: “Another film we won't be seeing.”
Created in the US in 1938 by Jewish immigrants, writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman is one of the world's most beloved superheroes. His origin story tells of an alien who crash-lands on Earth after his fictional planet is destroyed, and who is adopted by humans. Gunn's latest big-screen take, starring David Corenswet as Superman, delves into that backstory. It has already received rave reviews from early screenings.
The film is scheduled to release across the Middle East on Thursday.
Gunn anticipated the backlash in his Times interview, acknowledging that the film would be interpreted differently across political divides.
“Yes, it's about politics,” he said. “But on another level, it’s about morality. Do you never kill no matter what – which is what Superman believes – or do you have some balance, as Lois believes? It’s really about their relationship and the way different opinions on basic moral beliefs can tear two people apart.”
The film comes out “at a particular time when people are feeling a loss of hope in other people's goodness”, he added.
“I'm telling a story about a guy who is uniquely good, and that feels needed now because there is a meanness that has emerged due to cultural figures being mean online.”
Responding to the controversy on Monday at the film's premiere in Hollywood, Gunn, who is also the co-chairman of DC Studios, told Variety that he didn't have “anything to say to anybody” spreading negativity about the film.
“I’m not here to judge people,” he said. “I think this is a movie about kindness and I think that’s something everyone can relate to.”
Gunn's brother, actor Sean Gunn, who also stars in the film, doubled down on his sibling's earlier comments.
“We love our immigrants. Yes, Superman is an immigrant and, yes, the people we support in this country are immigrants, and if you don’t like that, you’re not American,” Sean, who plays supervillain Maxwell Lord, told Variety. “People who say no to immigrants are against the American way.”
England squad
Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic Bess, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Lewis Gregory, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Amar Virdi, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
