The Sunday Times breaks embargo early and offers a positive 'Superman' review

"'Superman', directed by James Gunn, is a triumph. After a long wait, this is the film the character deserves.. Nobody seemed to know what to do with Superman until now" pic.twitter.com/N5Qg7rg6Ej

— DCU Superman News (@DCUSuperNews) July 7, 2025

Sunday Times BROKE the review embargo... #Superman is a TRIUMPH 🥹🔥 pic.twitter.com/tpwwMZB6IV

— 𝑲𝒐𝒏-𝑬𝒍 (@DCUSuperboy) July 7, 2025

Social media embargo lifts late tomorrow night, btw, and I cannot think of a more consequential embargo lift in the past few years, if ever. These reactions (from fans and critics alike), combined with reviews in general (dropping the next day), will set the tone and tenor for enthusiasm (or lack thereof), ticket sales, etc, and will thus play a significant role in deciding the movie's fate, and potentially the fate of the DCU in general. Gonna be a crazy upcoming week.

Sea Speed said:

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James Gunn Says 'Superman' Is About an 'Immigrant That Came From Other Places' and How We've 'Lost' the Value of 'Basic Human Kindness': 'Yes, it’s About Politics' https://t.co/X3fCHq2yGc

— Variety (@Variety) July 6, 2025

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Dude, I am and have been looking forward to this movie but this is a great way to alienate half your audience or at least put the antennas up for any sort of agenda

Can we just have good movies anymore?

TCTTS said:

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#Superman’s immigrant identity is absolutely crucial to his character, and stating that fact shouldn’t be controversial.

If Superman being an immigrant is an inflammatory political statement to someone, they inherently misunderstand the character. https://t.co/nWbLBNjdhU

— Sheraz Farooqi (@SherazFarooqi_) July 6, 2025

Just a reminder that Superman was written by two Jewish immigrants. Has always been apart of his story. https://t.co/9wrkZN3QOT

— Force of Light Entertainment 🎙 (@ForceofLightEn1) July 6, 2025

There’s no controversy. Superman is from another fucking planet. He’s as about as much of an immigrant as you can get.

If that causes someone’s feathers to get ruffled then I hope they don’t see it. I don’t want to share a theater with those morons.

— Zach Cooper (@ZachCooper182) July 6, 2025

Superman is an immigrant refugee from a dying homeland, where they denied climate change & science. He was raised to care for others, grows up to be a journalist, his main enemy is a wealthy businessman who becomes President. His creators were Jewish. It was always political. https://t.co/VtElE8LQnP

— I am inevitable (@NerdWeaponX) July 6, 2025

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*legal immigrants

Stop conflating this. There is a world of difference between the two

What the hell are you talking about?

Neither those tweets, nor Gunn, nor myself have said anything about illegal immigrants.

Come on TC. Given the current political environment you can't see even a smidgen of an agenda in the whole immigrant angle?

Maybe I'm reading too much into that tweet but it still seems like Gunn stepping on a rake the week this movie opens

ETA- Superman has always been a "fish out of water" and a story about belonging. But you can run with that and also avoid current politics at the same time

I'm genuinely confused by what you're saying. You just chastised me for something something about illegal immigrants, didn't explain what you meant, and now you're implying that I'm being purposely obtuse.

Superman, for as long as I can remember, has literally been labeled/depicted as the ultimate immigrant. From his Jewish creators being the sons of Jewish immigrants, to the whole Moses allegory (mother puts him in a basket and sends him to another land), the foreigner/trying-to-fit-in thing has always been part of Superman's DNA. Gunn simply acknowledges this and now people like Clay Travis (who I actually like a lot of the time) are losing their minds over it. I and others point this out, and now I'm somehow the one acting in bad faith?

The full #Superman score is here — and it’s a masterpiece!

Via: @DCUSuperNews

pic.twitter.com/IUfkHSNLFq

— DC Universe Daily (@DCdaily) July 6, 2025

#Superman's most accurate runtime info has been revealed:
- 1 Hour 58 Minutes Without Credits
- 11 Minutes Of Credits
- 2 Hours 9 Minutes Total Runtime

Full Details: https://t.co/pZ7F6i7JGH pic.twitter.com/0ThelFJDbk

— DCU - The Direct (@DCU_Direct) July 6, 2025

Gunn had 2 simple choices here.

Clark is an alien. Don't use the word "immigrant".

Then don't say "yes, this is political".

Avoid those 2 missteps, and you get no negative headlines.

Isn't the Kaiju also an immigrant just looking for a home? And here's Superman - aka Kryptonian Donald Trump - a privileged white blowhard of a man who thinks he's above the law, looking down at the rest of us from his Fortress of Solitude, telling him that he can't live here because of some BS laws that have nothing to do with the kaiju wanting a place to call home, earn a living, etc? The whole thing stinks.

The Original Houston 1836 said:

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Isn't the Kaiju also an immigrant just looking for a home? And here's Superman - aka Kryptonian Donald Trump - a privileged white blowhard of a man who thinks he's above the law, looking down at the rest of us from his Fortress of Solitude, telling him that he can't live here because of some BS laws that have nothing to do with the kaiju wanting a place to call home, earn a living, etc? The whole thing stinks.

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Lol

Here's Zack Snyder talking about Superman's "immigrant story" and comparing Earth to America. Where was the outrage then? Why weren't you and others chastising him just the same?

Look!! Up in the sky. It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's just more politics on the entertainment board.

Again, Superman-as-an-immigrant (specifically hinging on the word "immigrant") has been part of the character's narrative going on 90 years now, proving just how stupid this sudden, performative outrage is now.

I think there's a certain group of people that in their hearts know that what is happening in current events is pretty ****ty and are therefore overly sensitive to anything other than feigned objectivity in their media consumption.

Maybe it's just me.

I said many things about Zack Snyder's poor choices.

And those are why he's not with DC anymore.

You don't give political headlines, that were easily avoidable, in 2025.

The most notable thing about Superman is that he is a superhero (not that he is an immigrant). If he wasn't a superhero would any of the rest of his story (movie) be of note.

Kind of like Washington or Jefferson. What is notable about them are things like led Continental Army to victory during American Revolution, established peaceful transfer of power in our government, authored Declaration of Independence, championed the Louisiana Purchase, etc (not that they were imperfect humans and owned slaves). If they didn't do the things initially listed in this paragraph, they wouldn't be notable enough that we would still talk about them.

TCTTS said:

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I'm genuinely confused by what you're saying. You just chastised me for something something about illegal immigrants, didn't explain what you meant, and now you're implying that I'm being purposely obtuse.

Superman, for as long as I can remember, has literally been labeled/depicted as the ultimate immigrant. From his Jewish creators being the sons of Jewish immigrants, to the whole Moses allegory (mother puts him in a basket and sends him to another land), the foreigner/trying-to-fit-in thing has always been part of Superman's DNA. Gunn simply acknowledges this and now people like Clay Travis (who I actually like a lot of the time) are losing their minds over it. I and others point this out, and now I'm somehow the one acting in bad faith?

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I'm not coming after you. I apologize if it is coming off that way.

My beef is with James Gunn potentially messing up a good thing (most reviews of the movie have been very positive) by injecting politics a week before the movie opens up.

Superman is the ultimate immigrant story. How does an all powerful literal alien assimilate with the rest of humanity? He has the power to save people but how and when does he use his power to do that? This whole board has had discussions about that very plot point.

All of that is compelling enough and I'm looking forward to Gunn's interpretation of this story. I just think this is an unforced error to bring politics into the movie

ETA - I still have high hopes for the movie. I had no interest in Guardians of the Galaxy until I saw the first trailer so James Gunn has quite a bit of runway with me.

20ag07 said:

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Gunn had 2 simple choices here.

Clark is an alien. Don't use the word "immigrant".

Then don't say "yes, this is political".

Avoid those 2 missteps, and you get no negative headlines.

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100% THIS

I hear you and I agree to an extent. But it's also incredibly ****ed up that simply saying "Superman is an immigrant" and, essentially, "the movie features politics" are controversial to the extent that a certain sect loses their minds at innocuous comments of that nature, especially when said comments/ideas have been forever tied to the character. To that end, maybe we shouldn't let that sect dictate what a director can and can't say about a movie. Strategically, in terms of potential audience, box office performance, etc, I understand the desire for him to keep his mouth shut. But also… **** that, and **** anyone genuinely upset over this nothingburger.

All of that said, if the movie's good, I don't think any of this hurts its box office prospects at all. If anything, I think any "controversy" along these lines ultimately helps.

A director can say whatever they want to. Nobody has said they can't.

A director saying their $225M blockbuster "is political", when that audience is 40-65yo white dudes from the heartland, is simply stupid. You have to know your audience doesn't want this.

20ag07 said:

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A director can say whatever they want to. Nobody has said they can't.

A director saying their $225M blockbuster "is political", when that audience is 40-65yo white dudes from the heartland, is simply stupid. You have to know your audience doesn't want this.

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The movie features politics as part of its PLOT.

THAT'S what Gunn is talking about.

Not that it's a "political movie" in the woke sense.

There's an international incident in which Superman involves himself, sparking political controversy within the plot of the movie itself, which is the crux of the conversation in the officially released clip of Clark and Lois arguing in his apartment.

The "Hammer of Boravia" is a villain character who is also tied to this incident in some way.

This is all very simple and not in any way controversial.

Be better than prematurely reacting to a headline clearly meant for rage-baiting and clicks.

This movie will sell less tickets now due to this "headline". It's just a fact. And it's a shame that it was said/written.

The people who really care about James Gunn's comments are those that are really big into politics and spend a lot of time online. That's a fairly small percentage of the potential audience.

People are constantly looking to be offended these days. It's exhausting.

I reacted in no such way, other than to say it was stupid for him to give the clickbait headlines.

It doesn't take much media training to know NOT to do that, if you know the audience of your movie (as he very well SHOULD, as that what he was hired for).

"Superman' Is About an 'Immigrant That Came From Other Places'"
Gunn chose to leave out a few details...
'Superman' Is About an 'Immigrant That Came From Other Places, who assimilated very well, loved America and embraced American values, helped others and wasn't a drag on society.

Since we're doing this, you have to straight up laugh at this.

Quote:

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Gunn acknowledged that the movie's themes may be interpreted differently across political groups, especially considering the current nationwide unrest around immigration. However, Gunn stands by the ideals embedded in "Superman," and added that he doesn't care if anyone takes offense.

"Yes, it plays differently, but it's about human kindness and obviously there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them," he said.

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Gunn, talking about "human kindness", says "screw them" in the same sentence. HUMAN KINDNESS, then "screw them".

I swear, talking to the media and not alienating people is not that hard.

Ok, you've got a point there.

20ag07 said:

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I reacted in no such way, other than to say it was stupid for him to give the clickbait headlines.

It doesn't take much media training to know NOT to do that, if you know the audience of your movie (as he very well SHOULD, as that what he was hired for).

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this is the quote

Quote:

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Yes, it plays differently," he said. "It's about human kindness. And obviously, there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them."

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This quote came after Gunn stated the film is political. Many will read this quote and take it as grandstanding on Gunn's part that if you don't agree with our politics then you're a jerk, unkind, and screw you. Is that Gunn's intention? I don't know and really don't care.

I believe this is the point you were making. Seems like a bad idea to make a statement like that just a week or so away from the debut.

So now we shouldn't alienate *******s? That's the stance you're taking?

Celebrating/endorsing kindness and saying "screw you" to those who don't aren't contradictory sentiments.

You continue to grasp at straws, same as every argument you participate in (as if the Jurassic World Rebirth thread wasn't already proof of this, judging by how many posters continue to mock your now infamous hysterics).

I leave you guys alone for a couple of days and you let the Superman thread become a politically charged hot mess?!

This is why we can't have nice things!

TWO more sleeps until Superman!!!

James Gunn and Zack Snyder played themselves on this week's "Rick and Morty," ribbing each other's takes on Superman.

Zack Snyder: “Just saw your new cut of ‘Superman.' Word of advice, he’s the ‘Man of Steel,’ not the ‘Man of Conversation.’ Do more shots of him punching!”

Read… pic.twitter.com/hvZV5UDHTO

— Variety (@Variety) July 7, 2025

James Gunn and Zack Snyder joke on 'Rick and Morty' about their takes on Superman

"Just saw your new cut of 'Superman'. Word of advice, he’s the 'Man of Steel', not the 'Man of Conversation'. Do more shots of him punching!" pic.twitter.com/jaiJ4HkpG3

— DCU Superman News (@DCUSuperNews) July 7, 2025

Murder Hornet said:

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Come on TC. Given the current political environment you can't see even a smidgen of an agenda in the whole immigrant angle?

Maybe I'm reading too much into that tweet but it still seems like Gunn stepping on a rake the week this movie opens

ETA- Superman has always been a "fish out of water" and a story about belonging. But you can run with that and also avoid current politics at the same time

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Variety wrote that headline for clicks. Gunn himself didn't say anything overtly political at all.

TCTTS said:

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20ag07 said:

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A director can say whatever they want to. Nobody has said they can't.

A director saying their $225M blockbuster "is political", when that audience is 40-65yo white dudes from the heartland, is simply stupid. You have to know your audience doesn't want this.

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The movie features politics as part of its PLOT.

THAT'S what Gunn is talking about.

Not that it's a "political movie" in the woke sense.

There's an international incident in which Superman involves himself, sparking political controversy within the plot of the movie itself, which is the crux of the conversation in the officially released clip of Clark and Lois arguing in his apartment.

The "Hammer of Boravia" is a villain character who is also tied to this incident in some way.

This is all very simple and not in any way controversial.

Be better than prematurely reacting to a headline clearly meant for rage-baiting and clicks.

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We get all of that. But what you don't really seem to understand is the reaction the choice of words will bring from a big part of the potential audience. "It is political" in our current climate can very easily be interpreted in a way separate from the actual plot of the movie, particularly combined with the correct callout that Superman is an immigrant. Unless of course you have your head buried in the sand, you know that there have been riots in various places over Trump's deportations (which I will emphatically state that I agree with - you can think me a part of a "certain sect" or whatever, but it is my stance on the matter).

I stated earlier that I hope this is simply a click-bait kind of post, and that remains the case for me. I am a life long fan of Superman, so this was a movie that I was going to see. But if there is any political focus in this movie - and you know damn good and well what I'm talking about - the movie will be a one and done for me. I'm sick to ever living crap about Hollywood inserting current political talking points into every movie made, regardless if those points make any sense for the story being told. On the flip side, if Superman's "political" story remains within the confines of the story they are telling - the international incident, etc - then my expectations that this will be my favorite movie this year will likely be met.