Dean Cain criticizes James Gunn’s ‘immigrant’ remark on Superman
(From left) Dean Cain, David Corenswet and James Gunn. Image: Instagram/@deuces1966, @jamesgunn
Former Superman actor Dean Cain gave his two cents on James Gunn’s new “Superman” film, saying the character being highlighted as an “immigrant” would affect its box-office performance.
In an earlier interview with The Times of London, Gunn stated that “Superman is the story of America” and that the hero is “an immigrant that came from other places 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,” the writer-directors noted.
As this remark came amid US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, it apparently earned the ire of those who support the aggressive campaign, including Cain.
Cain, who portrayed the role of the Man of Steel in the 1990s TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” reacted to this in a TMZ interview, “How woke is Hollywood going to make this character?”
He argued that writers should just make new characters instead of making changes to existing ones.
“Superman has always stood for ‘truth, justice and the American way,’ and the ‘American way’ is immigrant friendly— tremendously immigrant friendly—but there are rules,” he continued, stressing how “we can’t have everybody [as] society will fail.”
Specifically addressing Gunn’s remark, Cain added, “I think bringing Superman into it… I think that was a mistake by James Gunn to say it’s an immigrant thing, and I think it’s going to hurt the numbers on the movie.”
Cain further said that he was excited to see the film, but that Gunn’s “political comment” did not sit right with him.
Gunn, meanwhile, opted not to respond to criticisms, saying he didn’t have “anything to say to anybody.”
“I think this is a movie about kindness and I think that’s something everyone can relate to,” the filmmaker said.
“Superman,” which stars David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, premiered in Philippine theaters on July 9. /ra
