SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Explains Controversial Change To Kal-El's Origin Story - SPOILERS

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Explains Controversial Change To Kal-El's Origin Story - SPOILERS

Superman director James Gunn has addressed the movie's controversial change to Kal-El's origin story, revealing that he turned to the comics for inspiration in changing Jor-El and Lara's motivations.

By JoshWilding - Jul 15, 2025 06:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

In Superman, we learn that the Man of Tomorrow finds comfort in the Fortress of Solitude thanks to a message from his parents, recorded on Krypton shortly before he was sent to Earth as a baby. 

Jor-El and Lara tell their son how much they love him and that he's been sent there to do good. However, when Lex Luthor decodes the corrupted half of the message, it's revealed that Jor-El and Lara also intended for Kal-El to take countless wives and have as many babies as possible, all so Krypton could live on. Oh, and if need be, he was to conquer the planet. 

The world turns on Superman, though he eventually wins back their trust by proving he's there to do good (The Daily Planet, meanwhile, exposes Lex's nefarious nature).

In the movie's closing moments, it's revealed that the hero has replaced the recording of his Kryptonian parents with footage from his childhood of Ma and Pa Kent. It's a touching note to wrap up on, and one that shows Supes embracing his humanity.

During a recent interview, filmmaker James Gunn addressed the divisive reveal that Jor-El wanted his son to subjugate the planet and its people. 

"I'm a huge Superman fan, so first of all I had to trust myself that I was going to honor the pieces of Superman that we needed to keep the same," Gunn explained. "And also allow myself to make changes where changes might work and wouldn't go against the integrity of who the character is."

"And so I think that was [...] simply dealing with allowing ourselves to change part of the story in a way that was interesting for the DCU, but that wasn't [something] that went against who Superman was," the filmmaker continued. "And has been something that's been played with in the comics before."

It's not clear whether Gunn has plans to explore this twist further, but as we've previously noted, a clash between Superman and his father runs the risk of feeling like a Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 redo (where Star-Lord fought his father, Ego). 

Comparisons have been made to Brightburn and Invincible, though Gunn is right that there's precedent in the comics for Jor-El to be portrayed in a less heroic light. The filmmaker also recently discussed why he cast Bradley Cooper in the role

You can hear more from Gunn on Superman's big twist below. 

Superman, DC Studios' first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures.

In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.  

"Superman is an indescribable joy," we said in our review"A beautiful, moving thrill, David Corenswet is the perfect Man of Steel in a movie packed full of ideas. Fortunately, under James Gunn’s expert direction, all of those work, creating a rousing experience that flies higher than DC has in a very long time."

The movie stars David Corenswet in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Also appearing are Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, and Milly Alcock.

Superman is now playing in theaters.

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lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/15/2025, 6:12 AM
Not the biggest fan of the choice but it definitely is NOT a deal-breaker.
I'd rather stick with not getting too into Krypton's past or bringing characters from there to the present. There are too many great stories about Superman writers/directors haven't touched yet and would be more worth the time.
AwesomePromoz
AwesomePromoz - 7/15/2025, 6:20 AM
@lazlodaytona - I don’t like it either, so I’m hoping it’s a twist, like a manipulation by Luthor. But the presence of all these Kryptonians from the start is definitely leading to some kind of clash. Which is frustrating too because my biggest dream is to see Blackest Night play out on screen, not another Zod or Krypton story.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/15/2025, 6:22 AM
We saw Krypton's past in SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE and MoS. It was done to death in Smallville. More Krypton revisiting in Superman Returns. Heck, there was an entire show on Syfy named KRYPTON.

Please just look forward and keep using different Rogues (Metallo, Parasite, Mongul, Toy Man, Hank Henshaw, Myxlplyx, Brainiac (save him for the first JL), Livewire, .... just any Supe's rogue. Just move on).
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/15/2025, 6:25 AM
@AwesomePromoz - I'm absolutely with you.
I'd LOVE to see Sinestro Corps War first then Blackest Night. Would take a lot of crossovers and world building before we'd get to that point though.
ShimmyShimmyYA
ShimmyShimmyYA - 7/15/2025, 6:32 AM
@AwesomePromoz - we’ve seen 2 living kryptonians what are you talking about
Repian
Repian - 7/15/2025, 6:37 AM
@lazlodaytona - I prefer that while Zod and his men are in Thanagarian territory light years from Krypton, Zod loses contact with his homeland.

He doesn't know that Krypton no longer exists, and besides, the military campaign in Thanagarian territory has been a failure. So Non (Science Officer), Ursa (Gunner), and General Zod are other survivors, in a distant part of the cosmos.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/15/2025, 7:08 AM
@Repian - nah. Superman 2 is my all time favorite...but I am so done with Zod.
AwesomePromoz
AwesomePromoz - 7/15/2025, 8:37 AM
@ShimmyShimmyYA - That’s it. Just saying my preference would be no more than that.
fanboy03191
fanboy03191 - 7/15/2025, 8:51 AM
@lazlodaytona - I thought it made Clark even more heroic in that he truly embraced his adoptive parents. That’s always a big thing with Gunn’s movies.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/15/2025, 8:56 AM
@fanboy03191 - I understand that view completely. Like I said, not a fan but I can see how it can definitely work.
ShimmyShimmyYA
ShimmyShimmyYA - 7/15/2025, 9:45 AM
@AwesomePromoz - outside of Zod (which might’ve happened already considering we’re 3 years in tbh) I doubt they do the secret kryptonians thing .

Only other case i see is kandor in a brainiac story but even then idk if they do it
28ClungesLater
28ClungesLater - 7/15/2025, 6:13 AM
@vectorsigma I guess that puts your theory to rest 👀
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/15/2025, 6:28 AM
@28ClungesLater - he also said the flash was the greatest cbm so i still have hope. Lolz!
28ClungesLater
28ClungesLater - 7/15/2025, 6:30 AM
@vectorsigma - lmao true 😅

Tbf he could still change it
epc1122
epc1122 - 7/15/2025, 7:36 AM
@28ClungesLater - plus he’s not going to giveaway a plot point for the next movie so soon while this movie is out. I can see in the documentaries for the next movie (if it is covered) where he says something like “this was always the plan but for the first one we wanted to establish Superman as human and then delve into his heritage”. Or something to that effect. If not, that’s ok too, I’m curious what’s next for this version of Superman.
epc1122
epc1122 - 7/15/2025, 7:38 AM
@vectorsigma - I think he saw a different version of the flash. I have a feeling the uncut version would
be a better version. There was a lot they didn’t go with to make way for the Gunnverse.
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/15/2025, 7:39 AM
@epc1122 - plot point goood vs bad want rule world / try kill Superman goodo wins
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/15/2025, 7:44 AM
@epc1122 - "plus he’s not going to giveaway a plot point for the next movie so soon while this movie is out"

Same thoughts. I was fooling around with the clunge.

But I loved the flash tbh, didnt deserve the hate
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 7/15/2025, 7:55 AM
@epc1122 - The way Gunn talks about it being a change to Superman's lore and something that they've done in the comics doesn't sound like it's actually Zod or Brainiac or anything because that wouldn't really be a change.
epc1122
epc1122 - 7/15/2025, 7:58 AM
@vectorsigma - I didn’t love the flash but I’m close with my mom so that whole plot resonated with me. I was hoping for the end of the movie to set up Cavill coming back which it never did so I was disappointed with that aspect of the movie. Like with routh, I hope somehow they have closure for Cavill’s depiction of Superman.
epc1122
epc1122 - 7/15/2025, 8:14 AM
@ObserverIO - I won’t know for real but I think in an interview he knew there would be some controversial changes that would upset people but I think he wanted to make a point that a big part of this Superman are the Kent’s. I can see him changing it in the future. I can also see Superman and kara having a thoughtful discussion about it. Just my prediction/theory, I can be way off 👍
ShimmyShimmyYA
ShimmyShimmyYA - 7/15/2025, 9:48 AM
@epc1122 - Kara / Clark discussion yes

Changing it ? Probably not. It’s really not that much of a game changer cause we’ve seen it so much before .
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 7/15/2025, 6:19 AM
to be fair, this was a gunn movie about gunn. Soup was no more then a vassal for gunn to cry about being fired from Mrvel.
ProfessorWhy
ProfessorWhy - 7/15/2025, 6:25 AM
@harryba11zack - so marvel is represented by who in this analogy?
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/15/2025, 6:27 AM
@harryba11zack - I prefer my soup in a bowl
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 7/15/2025, 6:33 AM
@lazlodaytona - User Comment Image
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 7/15/2025, 7:06 AM
@harryba11zack - Wow. Wtf man?! 😆
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/15/2025, 7:40 AM
@lazlodaytona - that’s true
SethBullock
SethBullock - 7/15/2025, 6:23 AM
Completely unnecessary stupid change.
Canyoublush
Canyoublush - 7/15/2025, 6:33 AM
@SethBullock - On the contrary I think it worked great. One of the better ways to differentiate this reboot from the others whilst adding new layer of diversity to his origins.
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 7/15/2025, 7:09 AM
@Canyoublush - yea , we all love 'creatives' changing an integral part of the origins of characters we love just so they can be edgelord contrarians. Hey, let's have uncle Ben have been a domestic abuser before he dies, give me an aragorn that actually turns out to be Denethors long lost son, daredevil who hasn't been blind this whole time. Sounds great to me guys
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/15/2025, 7:52 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - It realy isn't that big of a change as been done before in various ways at various points, as long as his dead Dad doesn't turn up alive it is a moot point beyond cementing him in the minds of the audience as fully embracing being human in the same way an immigrant from Europe or whatever could fully consider themselves and be accepted as American regardless where they were born.
Canyoublush
Canyoublush - 7/15/2025, 8:11 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - Lol you sound like you are going to have a heart attack or a stroke over fiction, FICTION!!! If this was politics or even wrestling I would understand such frustration or disappointment but over silly little comicbook characters? Really?? I’m guessing you are still in nursery? Yep. Listen I love comicbooks and superhero media even more than you but I never take it seriously to the point where I’m bursting blood vessels over it. Chill the F out. As cliched as it sounds it’s just a movie. My lord. 🤦🏿‍♂️ 😆
Arthorious
Arthorious - 7/15/2025, 8:38 AM
@SethBullock - I was hoping that Lex had doctored it up and paid off the experts to say it’s authentic, but the scene when the president of Boravia says “so the fake message worked!” Lex corrects him saying “it’s not fake”.

While its a change that I don’t like and I’ve seen it done before it didn’t ruin the movie for me
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 7/15/2025, 9:22 AM
@Canyoublush - 🤣 im just sick of sub par crap man
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/15/2025, 6:28 AM
The ONLY Reason the Batman didn't kill the Man of Steel was because he said "MARTHA". Watch the Batman Kick the Man of Steels Ass.

The Death of the Man of Steel so even the Man of Steel had weaknesses.

ShimmyShimmyYA
ShimmyShimmyYA - 7/15/2025, 6:33 AM
Yeah it’s fine not a deal breaking thing .

Sometimes jor el is nice

A lot of times he’s neutral

Sometimes he’s an asshole
Canyoublush
Canyoublush - 7/15/2025, 6:37 AM
@ShimmyShimmyYA - Exactly you get it. Why are fanboys getting upset it’s not that deep. Gunn already explained this also occurred in the comics.
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/15/2025, 7:41 AM
@Canyoublush - can’t complain about non accurate there
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/15/2025, 7:42 AM
@ShimmyShimmyYA - he was asshole and neterual , in smallvile
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