Ex-Superman Dean Cain Slams James Gunn’s “Woke” Superman: “It’s Going to Hurt the Box Office”

The former Man of Steel says James Gunn is making a huge mistake calling Superman an immigrant — warning Hollywood’s woke obsession could backfire at the box office.

Superman Actor Sounds Off on “Woke” Hollywood

Dean Cain, who played the Man of Steel in ABC’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1993 to 1997, is speaking out against what he sees as a dangerous trend in Hollywood.

In a new interview with TMZ (via Entertainment Weekly), Cain shared his concerns about James Gunn’s Superman movie, which is set to star David Corenswet in the iconic red cape.

“How woke is Hollywood going to make this character?” Cain questioned. “How much is Disney going to change their Snow White? Why are they going to change these characters [to] exist for the times?”

Cain argued that Hollywood’s push to modernize classic heroes risks alienating longtime fans and ultimately hurting box office returns.

James Gunn Labels Superman an “Immigrant”

The controversy erupted after James Gunn, who’s writing and directing the upcoming Superman reboot for DC Studios, told The Times of London that Superman is “an immigrant” and represents “the story of America.”

For many fans, that’s hardly a shocking idea — after all, Superman has long been viewed as an immigrant metaphor, sent from Krypton to Earth. But Cain thinks Gunn’s framing takes things too far into “woke” Hollywood territory.

“For Superman, it was always ‘truth, justice, and the American way.’ Well, they dropped that… They came up with ‘truth, justice, and a better tomorrow,’” Cain said. “Changing beloved characters I don’t think is a great idea. If you want to create a new character, go ahead and do that.”

Conservative Backlash to “Woke Superman”

Cain’s comments tap into growing criticism from conservative voices who fear that James Gunn’s Superman moviemight lean too heavily into modern political messaging.

Debates around “woke Hollywood” have become increasingly heated in recent years, with some fans complaining that filmmakers are prioritizing social commentary over entertainment.

Cain believes that could spell financial trouble for Warner Bros. and DC Studios:

“It’s going to hurt the box office,” he warned bluntly.

What We Know About James Gunn’s Superman

Despite the controversy, Gunn’s Superman is moving forward, aiming to launch a new chapter for DC Studios’ cinematic universe under the joint leadership of Gunn and Peter Safran.

The film stars David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. While full plot details remain under wraps, Gunn has described his vision as a “hopeful” and “inspirational” story that reconnects with the character’s classic essence — albeit with a modern twist.

Whether that modern twist includes deeper explorations of Superman’s immigrant roots or broader political themes remains to be seen — but it’s clear that Gunn’s comments have already set off a firestorm of debate.

The Final Word

Hollywood’s ongoing love affair with reinventing classic characters shows no sign of stopping. But in a polarized era, reimagining an icon like Superman comes with major risks.

Dean Cain’s Superman backlash highlights the tension between staying true to tradition and keeping superheroes relevant for modern audiences. For some, a more politically aware Superman reflects America’s true story. For others, it’s just “woke Hollywood” tampering with a beloved symbol.

One thing’s certain: the future of Superman has never felt more like a high-stakes battleground — both creatively and at the box office.

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