Smallville Showrunners Back James Gunn after Superman “Immigrant” Controversy

Before Superman Hit cinemas last month, James Gunn He described the story of Man of Steel as “the history of America”. He developed, saying: “An immigrant who came from other places and populated the country, but for me it is mainly a story that says that basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost”.

It was a feeling that adapts perfectly to the ten -year inheritance of Superman, but it doesn’t take long for the comment to twist. Some points of sale and critics jumped on it, bringing Gunn’s words out of the context and using them as ammunition against the restart of the DCU.

Fox News and ex Lois & Clark The actor Dean Cain was interrupted with criticism. In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz in this regard Wednesday Season 2, Smallville creators To Gough AND Miles Millar admitted not to have seen Gunn Superman Still, but they were ready to support his hero’s interpretation.

They also stressed that they explored similar themes Smallville And he also faced rejection. Miles Millar explained:

“It is also interesting, we have always seen Superman as a great allegory for immigration, which was the maximum illegal alien. The fact that James said, and is as controversial, it was a bit like … I couldn’t believe, I was like,” it is so incorporated in what it is. “”

At Gough reminded a specific moment from the show of the show:

“We made an episode in season 6 with, where we talked directly of it. Clark finds a boy who is working in one of the farms. I remember, at the time, thinking, [because] This is, once again, 2006, the network was like “I don’t know … this is a bit political for the show” and we are like “is literally the story of Superman [laughs,] What do you want? ‘”

Millar added:

“The fact that it is still [this] controversial idea … that is [what] It is so great in the story of Superman, that I think it is why his inheritance has been so powerful. It really talks about what the American dream is and everyone that type of American elements. “

From his debut in 1938, Superman was an immigrant, a Krypton refugee who makes the land his home. That identity has always been fundamental for the myth of the character.

In today’s climate, it is not surprising that some voices will try to frame him as a political declaration rather than as a fundamental truth of the character. But while Gough, Millar and Gunn all agree, Superman’s immigrant roots are not a controversial rewritten. They are the foundation of its history.