The new DC "Superman" film, despite a strong box office debut, has recently ignited a fierce online debate due to plot elements perceived by some as alluding to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Although director James Gunn has publicly denied any connection to the Middle East situation, commentators from various political viewpoints continue to clash, drawing the superhero film into a political firestorm.
The controversy centers on the film's depiction of a war between two fictional nations: the aggressor "Bovaria" and its neighbor "Jarhanpur." Superman intervenes to stop Bovaria's invasion, leading some viewers to draw parallels with the real-world Israel-Palestine conflict.
Prominent left-wing commentator Hasan Piker stated in a video that "Superman" is "critical of Israel from start to finish," going so far as to claim that anyone denying this "is lying." He described the film as "two hours of 'f*** Israel'."
In response, right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro countered that "only the left would believe such a claim." He emphasized that the film does not align with the real-world Gaza war and carries no political agenda.
Variety noted that many pro-Palestinian netizens praised the film's clear stance, but in reality, Gunn had completed the script in May 2023, before the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated. Gunn himself told The Times before the release, "This is not a Middle Eastern story, and I even deliberately adjusted it to distance it from real-world associations."
Despite these clarifications, the controversy shows no signs of abating. Previously, Gunn faced criticism from conservative media for stating that "Superman is an immigrant," with FOX News even denouncing the film as "SuperWoke." Shortly after the film's release, the White House also satirically photoshopped Donald Trump onto a "Superman" poster, adding to the political undertones.
"Superman" is currently playing worldwide, with its opening week box office exceeding $220 million, continuing to generate buzz both commercially and critically. As the discussion intensifies, this superhero film, originally intended to convey goodness and hope, is being interpreted by various factions as another ideological battleground.
via： Variety