NEED TO KNOW
- Director James Gunn is thankful for fans’ support following Superman‘s successful opening weekend
- “I’m incredibly grateful for your enthusiasm and kind words over the past few days,” he wrote in an Instagram Threads post
- It was reported that the movie had earned $217 million over the weekend following its release on Friday, July 11
Director James Gunn is thankful for Superman‘s opening weekend success.
On Sunday, July 13, Gunn, 58, said he was “grateful” for the support in a message posted on Instagram Threads, after it was reported that the David Corenswet-led superhero reboot had earned $217 million since its release two days prior.
The movie debuted in theaters across North America on Friday, July 11, earning $122 million domestically and $95 million internationally, per Deadline and The Wrap.
“I’m incredibly grateful for your enthusiasm and kind words over the past few days,” Gunn wrote following the movie’s release.
He added, “We’ve had a lot of ‘Super’ in Superman over the years, and I’m happy to have made a movie that focuses on the ‘man’ part of the equation – a kind person always looking out for those in need.”
“That that resonates so powerfully with so many people across the world is in itself a hopeful testament to the kindness and quality of human beings. Thank you. ❤️,” Gunn concluded.
Superman, which cost $225 million to make, per the Wall Street Journal, had been estimated by DC Studios to bring in $100 million in its first weekend.
The news came as Gunn said in a recent interview with The Times that the flick was “about politics,” adding, “But on another level, it’s about morality.”
“Do you never kill no matter what — which is what Superman believes — or do you have some balance, as Lois [Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan] believes?” the director stated. “It’s really about their relationship and the way different opinions on basic moral beliefs can tear two people apart.”
Gunn further explained that, in general, “Superman is the story of America,” in the sense that it follows “an immigrant that 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,” he added, per the outlet.
As for any critics of Superman’s story that “will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness,” Gunn had a simple response: “Screw them.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Dean Cain, 58 — who played the Man of Steel on TV in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1993 to 1997 — was among those voicing criticism, telling TMZ that he believed “it was a mistake by James Gunn to say it’s an immigrant thing” and he thought the director’s comments would ultimately “hurt” the movie’s box-office returns.
“I was excited for the film. I’m [still] excited to see what it is, because James Gunn seems to have a sense of humor and the last iterations of Superman didn’t have much humor,” Cain said. “So I’m rooting for it to be a success, but I don’t like that last political comment.”
The movie’s cast also includes Nicholas Hoult as villain Lex Luthor, as well as Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern.
Gunn previously helmed DC Comics’ The Suicide Squad, as well as Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.
Superman is now playing in theaters.
Read the full article here
