With just a few days to go for James Gunn's Superman to hit theatres worldwide, the noted filmmaker spoke about the theme of the film and why it matters in a new interview.
"Superman is the story of America," said Gun. "An immigrant who 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," he added, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Superman's themes can be interpreted differently by many people, but Gunn remains unperturbed when it comes to political groups taking offence to the film. "Yes, it plays differently," said Gunn, adding, "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."
James had also earlier revelead why Nicholas Hoult wasn't cast as Superman. Gunn had told that while the Nosferatu star is "a great actor" he "didn't fit the role" of Clark Kent. The filmmaker felt that he was a bit too "controlled" for the role when compared to David Corenswet. "You know, Nick Hoult auditioned for Superman. He's a great actor. I mean, some might say he's better than David in certain ways, but he just didn't fit the role, and that's why he didn't get that," Gunn said. "As much as you can transform yourself as a person, Nick was just more controlled."
He eventually chose Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois taking into consideration their opposite on-screen chemistry. Further, Gunn added that his Superman film is about politics, "on another level it's about morality." "This Superman does seem to come at a particular time when people are feeling a loss of hope in other people's goodness," said the filmmaker of the film's relevance. "I'm telling a story about a guy who is uniquely good, and that feels needed now because there is a meanness that has emerged due to cultural figures being mean online."
The trailer of the film which was released earlier, offers a glimpse of the film's plot which, as per the official description, follows the titular character as he embarks on a journey to reconcile his past on Krypton with his upbringing as a human being named Clark Kent.
Alongside Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan stars as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason / Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern, and Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl.
Superman is the maiden production of DC Studios after Gunn and Peter Safran took over the company. The film is slated for a July 11, 2025, release in theatres.
