James Gunn Defends Superman’s Controversial Parents Twist, And I Think He’s Right

In the movie *Superman*, Superman’s biological parents, Jor-El (played by Bradley Cooper) and Lara, aren’t portrayed as purely heroic figures. Initially, Superman believes they sent him to Earth to be a helper, but a message accompanying him later reveals their true intention: for him to *rule* over Earth. Director James Gunn, in commentary exclusive to the iTunes version of the film, notes that he isn’t the first to depict Superman’s parents with less-than-noble motives.








