Former Superman star Dean Cain has openly criticised director James Gunn’s creative approach for the upcoming Superman reboot starring David Corenswet. The new Superman film, which hits theatres globally this Friday, has sparked debate after Gunn described Superman as an immigrant — a statement Dean Cain believes could negatively affect the movie’s reception.
Dean Cain, who famously portrayed the Man of Steel in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman during the 1990s, expressed concern about what he calls the film’s “woke” direction. Speaking to TMZ, Cain argued that Hollywood’s constant urge to reimagine beloved characters to fit modern narratives could alienate long-time fans. He highlighted that Superman has traditionally symbolised “truth, justice, and the American way,” a motto he feels is being overshadowed by political correctness.
Cain explained, “Superman is a character built on American ideals, which include being immigrant friendly — but there are limits. Rules exist for a reason. You can’t just erase those rules in the name of change. When Gunn framed Superman as an immigrant story, I believe that was a misstep. It could impact box office numbers because audiences want classic heroes they recognise.”
Cain stressed that while he remains excited to see David Corenswet’s take on Clark Kent and hopes the movie succeeds, he does not agree with rewriting iconic characters to match modern socio-political commentary. He also drew parallels with Disney’s controversial reimagining of classic tales like Snow White, saying studios should focus on creating new characters rather than altering established ones.
Despite Cain’s remarks, early critic reviews for the new Superman film have been mostly positive. Alongside Corenswet, the movie stars Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Fans worldwide can watch the film when it premieres in cinemas on July 11.
