James Gunn Denies ‘Superman’ Is ‘Woke’ — Points to Anti-American Sentiment as Reason for Overseas Box Office Struggles

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In a frank conversation with Rolling Stone, James Gunn, the director of the DC Universe reboot and the latest Superman film, has pointed out that growing anti-American feelings globally might be why the movie’s international box office returns were less than anticipated. Although the film, featuring David Corenswet as Superman, has performed exceptionally well domestically, it has faced difficulties generating similar excitement overseas. This has led to discussions about global politics, the significance of cultural icons, and Hollywood’s international popularity.

A Strong Domestic Launch Amid High Expectations

On July 11, 2025, Superman made its grand entrance into cinemas, signaling the beginning of Gunn and Peter Safran’s reimagined lineup by DC Studios. With an estimated production cost of approximately $225 million, not including promotional expenses, the movie generated a strong $125 million in North American box office sales – placing it among the top 7 largest opening weekends for DC films, without accounting for inflation.

In its second weekend, the film is predicted to have earned around $57 million within the US, pushing its total North American earnings to approximately $235 million in only ten days. Analysts anticipate it could potentially generate between $300 and $350 million in the U.S. and Canada, thanks to positive word-of-mouth, a favorable CinemaScore (A), an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and strong audience reception.

International Struggles: Geopolitics or Something Else?

Worldwide, the performance of Superman is not as brilliant as expected. So far, it has earned $171 million internationally, adding up to a total global gross of $406 million. In its second weekend overseas, it is estimated to have made $45 million, except in China where its performance has been notably poor.

Based on estimates, the worldwide earnings for this superhero movie could range from $200-$250 million, possibly taking its grand total to between $500-600 million. If these figures hold true, it would secure a leading position among the top superhero films of 2025 (thus far), but it’s still shy of blockbusters like The Batman, which raked in an impressive $772 million back in 2022.

In his Rolling Stone sit-down, Gunn didn’t mince words.

As a cinephile, I’ll openly acknowledge that our domestic box office performance outshines our international success. Superman might be a household name in many parts of the world, but unfortunately, not everywhere. Additionally, there’s a bit of anti-American sentiment globally at the moment, which isn’t exactly boosting our ticket sales overseas.

Analysts from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, much like Gunn, suggest that the perception of America worldwide could be impacting box office sales. Yet, some critics point out other potential factors. For instance, Superman’s lower popularity than Batman in specific areas, competition with local films, and a lingering sense of “superhero exhaustion” due to underwhelming Marvel and DC productions from the past few years are all possibilities being considered.

The “Woke” Backlash: Fueling or Fabricating the Divide

Before the official launch, there was a lot of discussion centered around director James Gunn’s portrayal of Superman’s immigrant background. Some conservative media outlets like Fox News labeled it as “SuperWoke,” with previous Superman actor Dean Cain expressing concern that focusing too heavily on the immigrant aspect might turn off viewers.

“How woke is Hollywood going to make this character?” the former Superman asked.

In response to a pointed query from Marc Malkin of Variety, Sean Gunn (Gunn’s brother and actor playing Maxwell Lord in the latest DC Universe) responded in a way that ended up causing more trouble than it solved.

At the movie’s debut, he stated, “Indeed, Superman is an immigrant, much like those we advocate for within our nation. If you find issue with this, then perhaps your values differ from those traditionally held as American.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn responded by expressing his curiosity over what aspects of the film are being labeled as ‘woke’. For him, that’s the heart of the movie.

Additionally, Gunn stated that he considers the movie’s success as an all-around victory, describing it as “the beginning sprout” signifying the growth and future of the DC Universe.

Is Anti-American Sentiment to Blame?

Regardless of some international challenges, there’s a good chance that Superman will make money if it performs well against Marvel’s new The Fantastic Four: First Steps. It could potentially breathe new life into the DC universe following disappointments like The Flash, which only earned $271 million globally.

Contrary to Gunn’s notion that anti-American sentiments might be affecting Superman’s diminishing international sales, I find this theory somewhat questionable, considering the astounding success of Top Gun: Maverick. This movie epitomizes American pride with its jet fighters, military valor, and a pilot named Maverick overcoming obstacles for the red, white, and blue. Yet, it managed to rake in an impressive $782 million worldwide, contributing to a staggering $1.5 billion global total. As a fan, I find it intriguing that such an explicitly American production has resonated so strongly across borders.

If international viewers were indeed turning away from American symbols, then Top Gun: Maverick would have flopped abroad. However, it demonstrated that when a movie offers heartfelt storytelling, authentic characters, and pulse-pounding action devoid of Hollywood skepticism, people everywhere will still be drawn to it – American flag included.

Is this a sign of changing global preferences or just a temporary setback? Regardless, Gunn remains hopeful. As he said to Rolling Stone, “This is only the start.” For fans, the true strength of the film might be its ability to initiate such discussions, demonstrating Superman’s continued significance, even if his foreign box office performance isn’t as robust.

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2025-07-21 20:56