Apple pie. It’s baseball. These are the things you think of when you think of America. Another thing that could be added to the list, however, is the superhero. Since 1938, when Superman graced the cover of Action Comics #1superheroes became America’s best-selling commodity. And, because he was the first, Superman will always be more American than the others.
Of course, Superman is not American at all. He is an immigrant. A stranger then—and these days, those words have a much different meaning than they used to. At a recent event attended by io9, writer-director James Gunn spoke about how he felt about his version Superman enters America full of political charges today.
“When I watch the trailer and the movie, we have a glimpse of Superman at the beginning. I think that’s our country,” Gunn said. “I believe in the goodness of people. And I believe that many people in this country, despite their beliefs [or] their politics, they do their best to pass and try to be good people, despite what it may seem like to the other side and what the other side might be. I think this movie is about that. It’s about the basic kindness of people. And that it can seem uncool, and it can seem like under siege where some voices are dark and some voices are loud. That’s what happens when you let the internet pretend it’s the world—when it’s not. The world is us.”
Gunn likened it to what he experienced. He said: “I live in rural Georgia. “I see the kindness and goodness of people every day who do not share the same beliefs as mine. But I think that’s what the movie is about, basic respect for people. All over the world, by the way. “
Which means, yes, Superman can be seen as a beacon of hope and goodness in America, the character’s country of origin, but also the entire world that presides over the hero.
Do you think Gunn is on to something here with his study of humanity? Will Superman be a film that is accepted by all people? We’ll find out in a few months when Superman opens in theaters July 11.
Looking for more io9 news? Check out when you can expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe in film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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