James Gunn on “Superman” and Global Reception

On Sunday, director James Gunn commented that the mixed international reception of “Superman” might be attributed to “anti-American sentiment” found in some regions around the world.

The film generated $125 million in its opening weekend in the U.S., making it the third-highest debut for 2025. However, its performance abroad was notably weaker during the same period, and Gunn speculated that there are multiple reasons for this disparity. He acknowledged that “Superman” seems to connect better with U.S. audiences, yet he believes that the character’s identity as an American icon could be a disadvantage in various markets.

Gunn mentioned that in some places, “Superman is not a known product.” He compared this to other superheroes like Batman, who enjoy broader recognition. He added, “It affects things. And it also affects us that we have some anti-American sentiment around the world right now. It’s not really helping us.”

Despite the challenges, he highlighted that the film has seen positive figures in countries like Brazil and the UK, largely due to favorable word-of-mouth.

When approached by Fox News Digital, Warner Bros. Discovery chose not to comment on these observations.

Gunn had previously stirred controversy leading up to the film’s release by stating that the storyline reflects on political themes and immigration, which elicited mixed reactions from audiences.

He explained to the Sunday Times early in the month that “Superman” offers a narrative of immigrants who came from elsewhere and contribute to American society. He emphasized his belief that the story underlines the importance of basic human kindness, a value he feels society is losing sight of.

As for the backlash some have referred to as the “Super Walk,” he responded to inquiries from Entertainment Weekly, saying, “I’ve heard people say they’ve woken up, but I’ve heard a lot of people say they’re not. I’m curious about what awakens in the film.”