James Gunn’s Superman Quote Twisted into Anti-Trump Attack by Variety—The Outrage Machine Strikes!

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Once more, Variety is facing criticism for transforming an innocuous statement into a political uproar, this time focusing on director James Gunn. At the film’s press event, Marc Malkin from Variety posed a contentious question to Gunn regarding the alleged backlash from Trump supporters over Gunn’s portrayal of Superman as an immigrant. However, Gunn declined to engage in the debate.

Check out Gunn’s actual quote in the player below.

In a reaction to the MAGA controversy over labeling Superman as an immigrant, James Gunn expresses: “I believe this film embodies empathy, a quality that resonates with all of us.

— Variety (@Variety) July 8, 2025

Gunn stated simply, ‘This film appeals to all audiences.’ He has no message for anyone, and he’s not there to pass judgment. Instead, he views the movie as a testament to compassion, which is a sentiment, he believes, everyone can understand and connect with.

The response was calm, devoid of political bias or hostility. There were no harsh words or criticisms. Instead, it emphasized the message of unity and reiterated that Superman is for all audiences. This new statement from Gunn serves as a shift in tone, following his earlier comment where he expressed frustration towards anyone who found issue with the movie’s theme, saying “screw them” to any such “jerks.

But that’s not the story Variety decided to run.

The Headline That Misleads

A controversial headline was published by the authors Marc Malkin and Jack Dunn in an article they jointly wrote for Variety magazine.

James Gunn, Nathan Fillion, and others respond to backlash over Gunn stating Superman is an immigrant: ‘I have no response for those promoting hate’.”

In this version, I aimed to keep the meaning of the original sentence while making it more conversational and easy to understand. The phrase “MAGAs Outrage” was replaced with “backlash,” and “spreading hate” was used instead of “promoting hate” for a smoother flow in the sentence.

Let’s be clear: Gunn did not say anything about “spreading hate.”

As a film critic, I must say that this director steered clear of passing judgment or making any overt political statements in his latest work. There was no direct reference to President Trump, no criticism aimed at his supporters, and he even managed to evade addressing the context of the question posed to him.

Variety took a non-answer from James Gunn and spun it as a condemnation of half the country.

This isn’t journalism—it’s provocation.

The Marc Malkin Pattern

For those unfamiliar, this isn’t Malkin’s first time stirring the pot. He has a long history of asking identity-driven questions on red carpets to bait celebrities into political or culture war commentary. He often frames interviews to generate clickbait outrage and turns lighthearted projects into ideological battlegrounds.

Aubrey Plaza responds to #AgathaAllAlong being called the “gayest Marvel project yet”

“It better be, cause that’s what I signed up for!”

— 💭 (@agathariothink) September 17, 2024

During the interview session for “Agatha All Along”, Malkin persistently questioned Marvel actors about whether the series was the most LGBTQ+ inclusive Marvel production, often bringing up identity politics in almost every discussion. More recently, during a talk with Ridley Scott, Malkin tried to stir up controversy by hinting that a same-sex kiss had been cut from “Gladiator 2” – a claim that Scott quickly dismissed.

Malkin doesn’t ask questions to learn. He asks to create viral headlines.

Gunn Avoided Politics at Superman Premiere — Variety Forced It Anyway

Instead of focusing on a single deceptive headline, it’s essential to recognize that this is part of a broader trend with Variety. Earlier this week, they twisted Gunn’s comments made in The Times of London interview. In that interview, Gunn admitted that Superman deals with moral and compassionate themes and emphasized the significance of Clark Kent’s immigrant background to the character’s essence.

However, Variety initially presented those comments in a way that appeared critical towards conservatives, which ignited numerous online discussions and further stoked the controversy that Malkin mentioned during her interview.

Fillion and Sean Gunn Take the Bait

In that situation, James Gunn remained composed, but those around him provided Malkin with precisely what he desired instead.

Actor Nathan Fillion responded to the Trump-supporter question with a sarcastic jab.

Nathan Fillion, commenting on the reaction towards James Gunn’s statement that Superman is an immigrant under the MAGA (Make America Great Again) banner, stated, “It seems someone could use some comfort. Let’s remember, it’s only a film.

— Variety (@Variety) July 8, 2025

“Aw, somebody needs a hug,” he said. “Just a movie, guys.”

Sean Gunn, James Gunn’s brother, went even further.

Sean Gunn comments on the backlash towards labeling Superman as an immigrant within the MAGA context: “Those opposed to immigrants aren’t embracing the true essence of America.

— Variety (@Variety) July 8, 2025

Sean Gunn commented on the backlash by stating, “This response is precisely what our film portrays.” He added, “We stand behind our team, and we admire immigrants. Indeed, Superman represents an immigrant, and those we support in this nation are immigrants as well. If you disagree with this, then perhaps you’re not truly embracing American values. Those who oppose immigrants are going against the essence of America.

Now, due to Malkin’s provocations and Variety’s portrayal, the iconic figure of Superman – whom many see as a symbol of hope and unity – has found himself at the center of a cultural conflict that many moviegoers didn’t anticipate this film would touch upon.

The Real Problem Isn’t the Movie — It’s the Media

To set the record straight: James Gunn did not lash out at Trump supporters during the Superman premiere. Instead, when asked a biased question, he provided a balanced response. It’s disappointing and misleading that Variety portrayed his answer as equating Trump supporters with hate, which goes beyond simple dishonesty—it represents poor journalism standards.

If traders persistently introduce polarizing themes when there aren’t any, they might transform every movie premiere into a political drama. Viewers are weary of being categorized based on their film choices. Generally, they prefer enjoying a bag of popcorn while watching Superman battle a monster from another world.

It’s a shame Variety won’t let that happen.

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2025-07-08 16:00