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The filmmaker and co-head of DC Studios, James Gunn, has opened up about the political and moral themes running through his upcoming Superman reboot, and how they mirror the current landscape of the United States.

Calling Superman “the story of America,” Gunn pointed to the character’s immigrant origins as a reflection of the nation’s foundations.

“I mean, Superman is the story of America. An immigrant who came from other places and populated the country,” he told The Sunday Times, adding, “But for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”

Gunn’s take on Superman comes at a time when conversations around immigration, nationalism, and morality are dominating the political discourse in Trump’s America.

While Gunn didn’t name Trump directly, his reference to immigration in a conversation about Superman’s story is pointed and hard to miss.

The filmmaker also acknowledged that different audiences might interpret the film through their own political lens, but that doesn’t bother him. “Yes, it plays differently,” he said. “But it’s about human kindness, and obviously, there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them.”

Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, the film explores a younger Superman who is just beginning to reconcile his Kryptonian identity with his human upbringing in Smallville.

Gunn says the story delves deep into the character’s moral convictions. “Do you never kill, no matter what, which is what Superman believes, or do you have some balance, as Lois believes?” he asked. “It’s really about their relationship and the way different opinions on basic moral beliefs can tear two people apart.”

In many ways, the film appears to frame Superman as a hopeful counter to the political and cultural cynicism that has become the norm online and offline. “This Superman does seem to come at a particular time when people are feeling a loss of hope in other people’s goodness,” Gunn said. “I’m telling a story about a guy who is uniquely good, and that feels needed now because there is a meanness that has emerged due to cultural figures being mean online.”

And while Gunn is clear that he’s not setting out to make a political manifesto, he does hope his film sparks something positive. “No, I don’t make films to change the world,” he said, “but if a few people could be just a bit nicer after this, it would make me happy.”

Superman hits theatres on July 11.