James Gunn’s Controversial Superman Origin Retcon Has A Much Deeper Meaning

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I’m so excited about James Gunn’s Superman! It feels like DC finally has a hit on their hands, which is a huge relief after so many disappointments and the whole DCEU being scrapped. David Corenswet is fantastic as Superman, and honestly, it’s refreshing to see a superhero who’s a genuinely good role model. A mental health expert, Jonathan Decker, even pointed out that he’s a really healthy and positive example for kids, which is awesome!

The upcoming 2025 Superman movie seems like a fresh start for both the character and superhero films in general, and it’s generating a lot of excitement for the new DC Universe and the many projects planned for the next few years. The film focuses on a hopeful message and a straightforward battle between good and evil, bringing a welcome simplicity back to the genre.

Despite seeming like a typical superhero story, Superman is actually rich with symbolism. A particularly strong example can be found in what many fans consider the film’s most debated choice – a decision that ultimately makes this one of the most optimistic and compelling versions of the character we’ve seen in a long time. While some Superman fans might question director Gunn’s approach, this change is surprisingly impactful and adds depth to the story.

Jor-El’s Full Message In Superman Makes Him Seem Evil

At the beginning of the movie, Clark Kent, while recovering in the Fortress of Solitude, watches a recording of his birth parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van. The recording shows them explaining their hopes for him – that he would use his powers to help the people of Earth.

Fortunately, the damaged recording isn’t a total loss. Lex’s teammate, the Engineer – a biologically enhanced former special operative played by María Gabriela de Faría – manages to recover the missing footage. The full message is surprisingly different from what Clark initially heard.

They are a naive and lost people, physically and emotionally vulnerable. As the last Kryptonian, you are their leader. Eliminate anyone who can’t or won’t help you, Kal-El. Have many children to ensure the strength of Krypton and its heritage endures in this new world. Make us proud, our son. Rule with an iron fist.

In the movie, this development portrays Superman as a controlling figure, as the characters believe he’s rigidly adhering to the complete message from his birth parents, not just the portion he knew before. However, the way it’s presented to the audience, it appears James Gunn has made Superman’s biological parents the villains of the story.

This idea allows Gunn to explore Superman’s struggle with who he is and his journey to rediscover himself. Throughout the film, Clark learns that what he does is what truly matters, not where he comes from, whether he was adopted or born a certain way. The movie also encourages the audience to believe in themselves.

Gunn Uses Symbolism To Rehabilitate Superman’s Image

For the past twenty years or so, different versions of Superman have become more well-known than the classic, original character. The popularity of versions like Injustice Superman – which explores the idea of Superman turning evil – grew so much that people started to forget what the character was originally all about.

As a huge movie and comic book fan, I think it’s cool to explore darker takes on heroes, but it really bothers me when it feels like it’s just being done to shock. If a story doesn’t ultimately reinforce why we need a genuinely good Superman-type figure, it just feels needlessly cynical and disrespectful – not just to the character, but to everything the original creators were trying to say. And honestly, with characters like Omni-Man from Invincible and Homelander from The Boys becoming so popular, it feels like we’re losing sight of that important message altogether.

Over time, both the media and audiences changed how Superman was portrayed. He stopped being a purely hopeful figure and instead became either a troubled character weighed down by human failings (as seen in the DC Extended Universe films) or even a villain (like in the ‘Injustice’ storyline). It seems the idea of a flawless hero just didn’t resonate with people anymore.

By reimagining Superman’s parents’ story, James Gunn subtly points out that if this change feels unsettling, we should have been even more disturbed by other recent portrayals of Superman as flawed or even dead. The film’s story about Superman is intended to remind audiences what makes him a hero at his core.

That Message Shouldn’t Be Declared Fake In Later Installments

It’s truly inspiring to watch Superman regain his confidence and purpose, even if sparked by a small part of a flawed message. The wisdom Pa Kent shares about parenting feels universally true, and it can help you, like Clark, understand that you have the power to become the person you want to be.

Seeing Superman turn away from a distorted message and instead find strength in the loving memories of his adoptive parents highlights what’s most important about his character. If we think of his biological parents as representing media that has strayed from the original intent of the character, then we, the audience, can see ourselves as Superman – rediscovering his true purpose and meaning.

David Krumholtz, who stars in the upcoming Supergirl movie, has said the film will explain a recent storyline change, but it won’t portray that change as untrue. James Gunn has noted that Lex Luthor confirms the story’s validity to a world leader, and he had no reason to deceive that leader. Furthermore, dismissing the story as false would diminish its importance.

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2025-11-12 20:39