How James Gunn Sees Superman Fitting Into Our Politically Charged World

apple pie baseball These are the things you think of when you think of America. Another thing that can be added to the list, though, are superheroes. Since 1938, when Superman graced its cover Action Comics #1Superheroes have become a major American export. And, because he was the first, Superman will always be there A little more American than the rest.

Of course, Superman is not American at all. He is an immigrant. An alien immigrant at that time—and these days, those words have a much different meaning than they did in the past At a recent event attended by io9, writer-director James Gunn spoke about his feelings his version superman fit In today’s politically charged America.

“When I watch the trailer and the movie, in the beginning we have a kind of warped vision of Superman. I think this is our country,” Gunn said. “I believe in the welfare of people. And I believe that the majority of people in this country, regardless of their ideological beliefs. [or] Their politics, doing their best to get along and trying to be good people, despite how it may seem to the other side and how the other side may feel. I think this movie is about that. It’s about the basic kindness of people. And that it’s seen as uncool, and it can be seen as blocking when some darker voice is some louder voice. This is what happens when you think the internet is the world—when it’s not. We are the world.”

Gunn compared this to his own experience. “I live in a very rural part of Georgia,” he said. “Every day I see the kindness and beauty of people who don’t share the same political beliefs as me. But I think that’s what the movie is about, the basic basic decency of people. All over the world, anyway.”

Meaning, 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 the hero oversees.

Do you think Gunn is doing something here with his reading on humanity? Will superman A film to be embraced by all people? We’ll find out in a few months when superman Opens in theaters on July 11.

Want more io9 news? See when the latest is expected Marvel, Star WarsAnd Star Trek What’s next for the release? The DC Universe in Film and TVAnd everything you need to know about its future Who is the doctor?.