Dean Cain, the actor who brought Superman to life in the beloved 1990s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, has sparked a heated discussion with his recent comments about James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film, set for release on July 11, 2025. In an interview with TMZ, Cain expressed concern over Gunn’s description of Superman as an “immigrant” and the film as “the story of America,” arguing that this framing introduces an unnecessary political dimension that could harm the movie’s box office performance. His remarks have ignited a broader conversation about the evolution of iconic characters and the intersection of politics and pop culture.

Cain’s critique centers on Gunn’s decision to emphasize Superman’s immigrant identity, a reference to the character’s origins as a Kryptonian sent to Earth as a baby. Gunn, in an interview with The Sunday Times, described his Superman, played by David Corenswet, as a symbol of “basic human kindness” and an immigrant whose story reflects America’s history of welcoming those from other places. While this perspective aligns with Superman’s long-standing narrative as an alien adopted by human parents, Cain believes that explicitly tying the character to contemporary immigration debates risks alienating a portion of the audience. “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 told TMZ.

The former Superman star, who portrayed the character from 1993 to 1997, also took issue with the shift in Superman’s iconic motto. Traditionally, the Man of Steel has stood for “truth, justice, and the American way.” In Gunn’s film, promotional materials have reportedly replaced this with “truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.” Cain sees this change as emblematic of a broader trend in Hollywood to reshape classic characters to fit modern ideological frameworks. “How woke is Hollywood going to make this character?” he asked, drawing a parallel to Disney’s recent reimagining of Snow White. For Cain, altering beloved characters like Superman risks diluting their timeless appeal. “If you want to create a new character, go ahead and do that,” he said, emphasizing that Superman’s traditional values, including his immigrant-friendly ethos, should not be reframed in a way that feels politically charged.

Cain’s comments come at a time when immigration is a deeply divisive issue in the United States, amplified by President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation policies following his re-election in January 2025. Gunn’s remarks have drawn ire from conservative commentators, with Fox News labeling the film “SuperWoke” and personalities like Jesse Watters mocking the idea of Superman as an immigrant advocate. Cain, a known supporter of Trump, echoed these sentiments, arguing that while the “American way” is inherently immigrant-friendly, there must be limits to avoid societal strain. “We can’t have everybody in the United States; society will fail,” he said, suggesting that Gunn’s framing could be seen as endorsing open-border policies, a perception he believes will deter some moviegoers.

Despite his concerns, Cain expressed enthusiasm for the film itself, praising Gunn’s knack for humor, which he feels was lacking in previous Superman iterations, such as Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. “I’m excited to see what it is because James Gunn seems to have a sense of humor, and I love the humor in Superman,” he noted. This duality—optimism for the film’s quality paired with apprehension about its messaging—reflects the complex expectations surrounding Gunn’s reboot, which marks the first major project of DC Studios’ new “Gods and Monsters” phase under Gunn and Peter Safran.

The controversy has not gone unnoticed. Gunn, unfazed by the backlash, told Variety at the film’s Los Angeles premiere that Superman is a story about kindness, a universal theme he believes transcends political divides. His brother, Sean Gunn, who plays Maxwell Lord in the film, defended the immigrant narrative, stating, “We love our immigrants. If you don’t like that Superman is an immigrant, you’re not American.” Meanwhile, early box office projections are strong, with Superman expected to gross over $21 million in previews, surpassing Snyder’s Man of Steel and setting a record for Gunn’s directorial career.

As Superman prepares to soar into theaters, Cain’s warning underscores the challenges of reinterpreting a cultural icon in a polarized climate. Whether Gunn’s vision will resonate with audiences or falter under the weight of controversy remains to be seen, but the debate highlights the enduring power of Superman to spark passion and provoke discussion.