When a movie tanks at the box office, most people would expect the director to reconsider the script, the acting, maybe even the pacing. But in Hollywood, it’s rarely that simple. No, when things go wrong in Tinseltown, the culprit is almost never the mirror—it’s usually America, conservatives, or some vague global conspiracy.
Enter James Gunn, director of the latest Superman film, who’s decided that the world isn’t embracing his movie because… wait for it… the planet just isn’t feeling very fond of America these days. In an interview with Rolling Stone—because of course it was Rolling Stone—Gunn said international viewers are staying away thanks to “a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world right now.”
Translation: “My movie flopped, so let’s blame Trump.”
According to Breitbart, Gunn didn’t name names, but let’s not kid ourselves. When Hollywood folks start lamenting how unpopular America is “right now,” there’s usually a MAGA-shaped elephant in the room.
But Gunn’s explanation unravels faster than Clark Kent in a phone booth when you glance at some numbers. “Jurassic World: Rebirth”—a 100% red-white-and-blue production—hauled in nearly $400 million overseas. That’s more than double what “Superman” managed to scrape together in the same markets.
Then there’s “Lilo & Stitch,” which somehow charmed its way to $590 million internationally, presumably without being canceled for cultural appropriation. “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” nabbed $393 million overseas. “How to Train Your Dragon” grabbed $339 million. Even “F1: The Movie”—a flick about cars driving in circles—brought home $309 million internationally.
Apparently, the world still likes America just fine—provided the product isn’t a half-baked superhero flick wrapped in political excuses.
Gunn also floated the idea that Superman just isn’t well-known in some countries. Right. Tell that to the 2013 movie Man of Steel, which earned $379 million abroad. Adjusted for inflation, that’s over $500 million. So much for being “unknown.”
The more obvious answer here is also the most inconvenient one: maybe Gunn’s Superman just didn’t land with audiences. Maybe it’s because the film was a sluggish, joke-heavy mess with a mopey Superman who loses more than he wins. Or maybe people are just tired of being lectured while trying to enjoy popcorn and a cape.
Instead of addressing any of that, Gunn went with the tried-and-true Hollywood defense: blame the country that gave you the opportunity to make the movie in the first place.
And let’s be honest—if America is really so unpopular, why do millions around the world still want to move here? Why is American music, fashion, and yes, film still dominating global culture? Spoiler alert: it’s not because of some deep hatred for the stars and stripes.
Here’s the truth—when American movies deliver stories people want to see, audiences show up, no matter the passport. But when they serve up weak scripts and political grandstanding disguised as heroism, people tune out.
Maybe instead of blaming America, James Gunn should consider the radical idea that the movie just wasn’t very good. Now that would be a plot twist.
