I Think the DCU Super-Family Movie Will Throw a Major Twist Into Superman’s Controversial Origin Change

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The picture of the DC Universe’s future is gradually coming into focus. Following the triumph of Superman, James Gunn isn’t wasting a moment to bring his rendition of the Man of Steel back to the big screen, penning the next installment in the “Superman Saga,” which he intends to direct. Information about this project is sparse, but it’s guaranteed to showcase both Superman and his cousin, Supergirl, who is slated for a standalone movie in 2026. Instead of hanging around on Earth, Supergirl will send its lead character soaring through the stars as she embarks on a quest to find another planet that loves partying just as much as she does.

It’s evident that Gunn portrays Supergirl in the DCU as a disorganized mess, trying to cope with her pain by drinking alcohol. While it’s understandable given her tragic childhood losses, Krypton doesn’t appear to have been an ideal place, considering Kal-El’s parting message before departing for Earth. Nevertheless, I suspect there’s a significant Krypton-related surprise in the upcoming Superman movie that will deeply affect Superman himself.

Jor-El Might Not Be Who He Says He Is in the DCU

In the 2025 movie, Lex Luthor devises a strategy to bring down Superman by venturing to the Fortress of Solitude. There, he stumbles upon a control panel that reveals a video message from Superman’s parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van. The initial part of the message is encouraging, instructing Kal-El about his mission to help a troubled planet. However, what Lex uncovers next dramatically alters the narrative. It transpires that the second half of the holographic video reveals a sinister secret: Superman’s parents intended for him to dominate humanity and impregnate women on Earth against their will. This shocking revelation sets Superman on a new path, as he’s never encountered the concept of his parents being evil in live-action before.

The contents of the message have certainly sparked quite a debate. Supergirl finds herself under scrutiny due to her unwillingness to reveal the truth to her cousin. It’s not necessarily her fault, as there’s speculation that the Jor-El she knows might not be the one seen in the video. The upcoming DCU movie focusing on Superman will continue to delve into his identity struggles, and resolving this issue may require another Kryptonian to arrive with some clarification. I suspect Jor-El could make an appearance, perhaps after escaping from the Phantom Zone, and encourage his son to accept his true destiny. However, Superman might be resistant, and eventually it’ll be revealed that this Jor-El is actually General Zod, disguised as a friend to perpetuate his vision for Krypton. This surprising twist will hopefully lead Superman to acknowledge his dual citizenship, which is a relevant message in today’s society.

The DCU Doesn’t Need to Start Off on the Wrong Foot With Superman

One problem with portraying Krypton as something Superman wants to forget is that it communicates to the audience that having dual worlds means you must pick one over the other. Many people grapple with their identity, and a character like Superman often gives comfort by depicting what it looks like to accept all parts of oneself. However, if the DCU replaces Jor-El with Zod, they could potentially lose a significant portion of their fanbase. If they make the right choice, this scenario offers Gunn and company an opportunity to delve into Kryptonian culture, showcasing both its positive and negative aspects, enabling Superman and Supergirl to decide which values they wish to adopt from their home world and its inhabitants.

One potential rephrase could be: Having Bradley Cooper play General Zod would be an excellent bonus if we were to take this route. Although it was enjoyable to see him as Jor-El, he seemed somewhat underutilized in a small role. A switch to Zod would provide Cooper the opportunity to portray a villainous character who is determined not to let his aspirations fail. The decision ultimately rests with Gunn, but he needn’t feel bound by his initial casting choices, as he made a powerful choice the first time.

Superman is in theaters now.

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2025-08-17 19:50