The release of James Gunn’s “Superman” has sparked an intense online discussion regarding whether its plot is intentionally mirroring the Israel-Palestine conflict. In this cinematic narrative, the character of Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, instigates a military confrontation between two fictitious nations. The heroic figure of Superman becomes embroiled in this international turmoil as he intervenes to prevent the aggressive nation of Bovaria from launching an attack on its neighbor, Jarhanpur, thereby positioning himself at the center of a fictionalized global crisis.

Since its theatrical debut, which garnered a remarkable 0 million globally, the film has been the focus of numerous political commentators who are either linking its Bovaria-Jarhanpur conflict to the real-world Israel-Palestine struggle or vehemently denying that this was the film’s intention. Among these commentators is Hasan Piker, a prominent left-wing figure with a substantial following on Twitch, who created a viral YouTube video asserting that “Superman” serves as a critique of Israel. Piker described the film as “two hours and like 10 minutes of anti-Israel sentiment” and claimed that anyone involved in the movie would be “lying” if they stated it wasn’t an “analogy for Israel and Palestine.”

Piker’s comments were partially a response to a different perspective presented by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, who argued that only individuals with a “left-wing mindset” would interpret “Superman” as a commentary on the Israel-Palestine conflict. According to Shapiro, the film does not accurately reflect the realities of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and lacks any political agenda. Amidst this heated debate, various articles have emerged online with provocative headlines such as “Is the new ‘Superman’ film anti-Israel?” and “Does the new ‘Superman’ film address the Israel-Hamas conflict?”

According to a report by Variety, pro-Palestinian activists and influencers have praised the film on social media, viewing it as a clear critique of Israel in light of its recent military actions in Gaza. However, it is important to note that the timeline of the film’s production does not necessarily align with the events of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Gunn submitted the script for “Superman” in May 2023, several months before the escalation of the current Israel-Gaza hostilities.

For context, Gunn addressed the controversy surrounding the film prior to its release. Just days before the premiere, he explained to The Times of London that when he wrote the screenplay, the Middle Eastern conflict was not part of his considerations. He stated, “I attempted to make sure that it didn’t connect to that, but it absolutely has nothing to do with the Middle East. It depicts an invasion by a much more powerful nation ruled by a despot into a country with a complicated political history, but it has no defense against the aggressor nation. It is purely a work of fiction.”

Despite Gunn’s clarification, the ongoing debates regarding the film have not diminished and are likely to intensify as the movie continues its run at the box office. This is not the first instance in which “Superman” has found itself at the center of political discussions. The film generated significant buzz even before its release when Gunn referred to Superman as an “immigrant,” a statement that triggered backlash from conservative circles, with Fox News labeling the film “SuperWoke.”

At the film’s L.A. premiere, Gunn received support from his brother, Sean Gunn, who remarked to Variety, “Yes, Superman is an immigrant, and yes, the people we support in this country are immigrants. If you don’t appreciate that, you’re not truly embodying the American spirit. Those who oppose immigration are fundamentally against the values of America.”

Former Superman actor Dean Cain expressed to TMZ that he believes Gunn made a “mistake” by publicly stating his views. In a humorous twist, even the White House engaged in the discussion by creating a satirical image that depicted Trump as Superman in a mock poster for the film that highlighted the “American Way,” a nod to the superhero’s original motto.

“Superman” is currently screening in theaters, distributed by Warner Bros.