Dean Cain, known for portraying Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, is criticizing James Gunn’s $300 million reboot of the iconic superhero, calling it overly “woke” and warning that politicizing the character could hurt its box office performance. The new film releases nationwide on July 11, with preview showings on July 10.
Cain raised concerns during a recent interview with TMZ, questioning how far Hollywood is willing to reshape beloved American icons for modern political messaging. He criticized the change from the traditional Superman motto, “truth, justice, and the American way,” to the updated slogan, “truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.” Cain said, “Changing beloved characters I don’t think is a great idea.”
Cain also commented on the broader implications of Gunn’s framing of Superman as a political immigrant story. While affirming America’s immigrant-friendly history, he stressed the importance of borders and rules. “There have to be limits, because we can’t have everybody in the United States. Society will fail,” he said.
James Gunn defended his direction, claiming Superman is “about politics” and calling the character “an immigrant that came from other places.” Gunn dismissed detractors, referring to critics as “jerks” and telling them to “screw off.” His brother, Sean Gunn, escalated the rhetoric by declaring, “If you don’t like that, then you are not American.”
These comments triggered backlash, especially among conservative commentators and lawmakers. Fox News panelists labeled the film “Super-Woke,” comparing it to Disney’s failed Snow White reboot. Congressman Wesley Hunt said the new Superman may “bomb worse” than recent progressive remakes.
Warner Bros. is counting on a strong performance, with box office estimates ranging from $100 million to $150 million in domestic opening weekend revenue. The studio has invested heavily in both production and global marketing. The financial outcome will serve as a litmus test for how much political messaging mainstream audiences are willing to tolerate in traditionally patriotic icons.
Cain’s remarks reflect a growing divide over how Hollywood approaches legacy franchises. For many conservative and Christian viewers, Superman should embody moral strength, personal virtue, and national pride—not serve as a platform for political rebranding.
