Hollywood is about to bless moviegoers around the world with its 12th take since 1978 on the classic comic book hero Superman. This time director James Gunn has decided to weave some timely social commentary into this latest version, entitled "Superman: Legacy."
"Superman is the story of America," Gunn told The Sunday Times recently. "[It's about] an immigrant who came from other places and populated the country. But for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost."
In the movie, the residents of Metropolis turn against the Man of Steel for his intervention in a foreign war.
Fox News commentator Tomi Lahren says Gunn is "trying to spin the iconic story of Superman into a woke joke tale of an illegal immigrant" – and that in case one doubts the director's intentions: "He told 'Variety' that 'Yes, it's about politics. But on another level, it's about morality."
Lahren points out that Gunn "conveniently" forgot to explain the difference between "immigrants" and "illegals" – adding: "But that's par for the course."
Gary Bauer of American Values tells AFN he's not going to pay $16 for something he can get from liberal new networks for free. "Just when I think that Hollywood is beginning to back off or whatever, a story like this comes around," he laments.
He points out that in the original version, Superman may have technically been an immigrant, but his adoptive parents made sure he assimilated.
"They take the baby in. They do a courageous, moral thing, and they raise that baby as a true blue American," he describes. "They teach him courage and being kind and not bragging about yourself and helping those who need help, etcetera.
"This guy's MAGA. Superman is MAGA," Bauer emphasizes, referring to the original version.
It's not just Superman who has "evolved" over the years – so has his motto. Viewers won't hear or read "Truth, Justice, and the American way" in Gunn's version. It is now "Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow."
The film hits theaters today.
