There was a lot of pressure on James Gunn to reboot the Man of Steel. There were doubts. And there was the shadow of the old DCEU looming large. However, the new ‘Superman’ didn’t just rise to the occasion; it outdid every other movie.
It could redefine the future of DC films. Besides the huge box office projections, Gunn also made it clear that ‘Superman’ is an immigrant.
Superman’s Return Soars At The Box Office
According to early box office projections shared by analysts, ‘Superman’ is tracking for a massive $230-250 million global debut. That includes $130-140 million from the domestic box office in its opening weekend and $100-110 million internationally in the first five days. If those numbers hold, this will be the biggest opening weekend for any solo ‘Superman’ film.
Related: James Gunn Teases Big Plans For David Corenswet’s Superman And It Might Come Sooner Than Expected
It would surpass even 2013’s Man of Steel, which earned $200.3 million globally in its opening. That’s no small feat, especially due to superhero fatigue. Yet Superman is not only surviving, but it’s thriving. At the time of writing, the film holds an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising David Corenswet’s portrayal of the Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor.
This strong opening means that the film is on pace to recoup its reported $225 million production budget very quickly. This is a strong sign for a studio betting heavily on Gunn’s new DC Universe. That would not only make Superman the highest-grossing Superman solo film in history but also signal a major win for DC Studios after years of inconsistency. More importantly, it would make it clear that DC is back.
Superman’s Immigrant Story Matters And James Gunn Will Not Let Anyone Forgot It
Just days before the film’s release, James Gunn made a statement that sparked unexpected controversy, not because it was provocative, but because it was true. “Superman is the story of America,” Gunn said in an interview with The Times, “in that he’s an immigrant… and a story of basic human kindness.” It’s a line that captures the very soul of Superman, who has always been a child from another world raised by humble American farmers.
In case you missed: James Gunn Defends Superman’s Immigrant Narrative Amid “Superwoke” Controversy
However, in today’s politicized media climate, even truth can be twisted. People accused the film of being “woke” and claimed that Hollywood was more interested in pushing ideology than entertaining audiences. The backlash was predictable, but also disappointing. Gunn wasn’t “making Superman political”; he was honoring the character’s origin, something that’s been a part of his DNA since Action Comics #1.
Superman’s alien heritage is not a metaphor to be debated; it’s the foundation of who he is. Thankfully, the creative team behind ‘Superman’ didn’t shy away from defending that truth. At the film’s world premiere, Gunn responded to the controversy by doubling down on what matters. “It’s a movie about kindness,” he said simply. Nathan Fillion, who plays Green Lantern, had a more humorous take. “People who are mad about Superman being an immigrant probably just need a hug.”
Superman is an immigrant. He arrived on Earth alone, vulnerable, and different, and was taken in by a kind couple who taught him right from wrong. He grew up balancing his otherworldly powers with very human challenges. It’s the ultimate outsider story. It’s about finding belonging, about giving more than you take, and about using your gifts for good. James Gunn understood that. And his Superman reflects that understanding.
