James Gunn Says Superman Would Even Try to ‘Save Hitler’

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James Gunn, one of DC Studios’ co-CEOs, recently discussed Superman’s moral compass and its application to complex ethical dilemmas, even in hypothetical situations like those involving Adolf Hitler. In a recent interview, he delved into the character’s rigid principles, the thought process behind his choices, and how this new interpretation of Superman departs from previous portrayals.

James Gunn says Superman can’t let people die, he’d even save Hitler

On the Armchair Expert podcast in July 2025, James Gunn spoke with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman about Superman’s moral compass. Gunn explained, “Superman is an idealist who never resorts to killing, even in extreme situations.” In response, Shepard asked, “Would he save Hitler then?” To which Gunn responded, “Yes, even Hitler would be saved by Superman.” Shepard followed up, “He has to. That’s his moral code.

In my film critique, I delved into a discussion about Superman’s moral compass and its impact on his decision-making process. Gunn articulated that Superman holds a firm belief: he would never allow innocent lives to perish if he has the power to intervene, regardless of the circumstances.

The discussion touched on the ethical quandary known as the trolley problem, where one must choose actions to save lives under certain conditions. Gunn portrayed Superman as an individual who would devise a solution to save everyone in such a scenario. “In his case,” he explained, “if there’s a runaway train heading towards five people, he would come up with a plan to save them all.

In the broader conversation about the portrayal of Superman in the upcoming film, Gunn emphasized that Superman remains true to his character – a kind-hearted alien with a familiar background. He also mentioned his interest in exploring an unexplored aspect of his life: the early stages of his career as both Superman and Clark Kent.

During the podcast, Gunn didn’t delve deeper into the Hitler example. Instead, that comment was part of a broader discussion about Superman’s moral principles in imagined situations.

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2025-07-10 10:46