Woke or Bust? Gunn Plays Victimhood Card in ‘Supergirl’ Push

James Gunn is no fool.

The veteran filmmaker understands how Hollywood works. He leveraged a hit-and-miss career to become head of DC Comics movies at Warner Bros.

And, unlike some creators, he works aggressively with the media to promote his movies. That’s how he handled the runup to last summer’s “Superman” reboot.

Then, at nearly the last second, he politicized his own film to earn media attention. That strategy didn’t apparently hurt the film, in part because superhero fans were so eager to see what he had in store for them with a new Man of Steel adventure.

Warner Bros. swiftly greenlit a sequel while some quibbled over how much profit Gunn’s “Superman” made.

“Supergirl” is a very different story (and character).

She’s not nearly as embedded in the culture as her Krypton cousin. The ’80s big-screen adaptation proved a major flop. And few know much about Superman’s kin at this point.

Is that why Gunn went woke so early?

Warner Bros. released the first poster and teaser trailer for this summer’s “Supergirl,” starring Milly Alcock as the rebellious hero. And, in announcing the marketing material, Gunn cast the project in a very specific way.

Here’s what he told the media at a New York City event to announce the film’s first look.

“So many times female superheroes are so perfect. She’s not that at all.”

He paused. “Like male superheroes have been allowed to be for a while.”

The pause, we can assume, was for dramatic effect. His meaning couldn’t be more clear. Like the “Lady Ghostbusters,” “Supergirl” will be another culture war project.

At least if Gunn has his way.

Of course, we already have imperfect female superheroes. Take Black Widow, whose tortured backstory came to life in her 2021 solo film. More recently, Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova of “Thunderbirds” fame was far from pristine in any fashion.

“Birds of Prey,” the underwhelming 2020 title, featured a gaggle of antiheroes who didn’t follow the rules. Is there any antihero more imperfect than Harley Quinn?

So right away Gunn is reading directly from the woke playbook. He got his facts wrong, and he doesn’t care. Its all about victimhood status.

Remember when Jennifer Lawrence suggested that female action heroes didn’t exist before she signed on for “The Hunger Games?” She had to quickly apologize once fans pointed out her egregious mistake.

Or, recall how Elizabeth Banks backpedaled after attempting to shame Oscar-winner Steven Spielberg over lack of female representation in his films to score woke points?

Why would Gunn go woke so early? He knows the media will now be Team “Supergirl” from here until the film opens June 26. He just expanded his marketing team to include film journalists across the country.

Plus, his posturing may display a lack of confidence in the IP or the film itself, directed by Craig Gillespie (“I, Tonya”). He might be crazy like a fox, but it’s not a sure thing.

Ask those Lady Ghostbusters how making a beloved property a culture war movie turned out.