Dean Cain Criticizes New Superman as “Too Woke”

July 10th, 2025 – Actor Dean Cain, best known for playing Superman in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, is again making headlines for criticizing the current direction of the Superman franchise. In a recent podcast appearance, Cain claimed the character has become “too woke,” taking specific aim at recent storylines that emphasize social justice themes, including immigration and identity politics.

“They’ve turned Superman into a symbol for every political cause of the moment,” Cain said. “He was created as a beacon of hope, not a mouthpiece for progressive ideology. Now he’s all about climate change, sexuality, and immigration. It’s agenda-driven storytelling.”

Cain appeared particularly critical of recent comic arcs and TV adaptations that highlight Superman’s identity as an immigrant—both literally, as a refugee from Krypton, and metaphorically, as a stand-in for the immigrant experience in America. In Superman: Son of Kal-El, which follows Clark Kent’s son Jonathan taking up the mantle, writers have leaned into the idea of Superman as an outsider trying to find his place in a fractured world. The story has drawn parallels between Superman’s origin and the modern struggles of immigrants seeking justice and belonging.

“This idea that Superman is suddenly a metaphor for illegal immigration? That’s not the character I grew up with,” Cain said. “Yes, he’s from another planet, but he was raised with American values. That’s what made him who he is—not some allegory for today’s border politics.”

Critics argue that Cain is missing the point. Superman’s immigrant roots have been central to his character since his debut in 1938, when creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster—children of Jewish immigrants—used the character to explore themes of alienation and hope. Scholars note that Superman’s status as “the ultimate immigrant” has long been embraced as a symbol of resilience and the American Dream.

Defenders of the modern take point out that expanding on this immigrant identity is not about erasing the past but deepening the character’s relevance. James Gunn, the writer-director behind the upcoming Superman: Legacy, has said his version will embrace the emotional complexity of Superman’s dual heritage—as a Kryptonian and an Earthling.

Still, Cain remains firm in his critique. “Superman should unite us, not divide us,” he said. “I just want to see stories that inspire—not preach.”

As Superman continues to evolve with the times, the debate over who he is—and what he represents—remains as powerful as ever.