James Gunn Addresses Superman’s Most Controversial Twist (And Why It’s Not Changing)

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Now that James Gunn’s *Superman* is streaming, viewers can really explore all the little details of the movie. Gunn goes even further with the detailed commentary track included with the home video release, discussing many key moments. He even addresses the film’s most debated twist, openly sharing his thoughts on whether it might be changed in future installments.

It was really impactful when Jor-El and Lara’s full message was finally shown to everyone, thanks to Lex Luthor – and it was the first time Superman himself got to see it all! James Gunn actually talked about why he made that storytelling choice, and what he thinks it means for the future of the story (he shared his thoughts with @JuanEdizs).

I just watched James explain the big reveal about the Jor-El message, and he’s really standing by his decision. He’s made it clear he won’t be changing it, and he passionately believes it actually *strengthens* Clark’s character. I have a feeling not everyone will be thrilled with what he said, though!

— juan (@JuanEditzs) September 24, 2025

I made a pretty big change to Superman’s origin story, and it’s likely to be the most debated part of the film,” said Gunn. “I’m a huge Superman fan, so I was careful not to alter the core elements that make him who he is – his kindness, his refusal to kill, his love for Lois Lane, and even iconic details like his hair curl. My goal was to stay true to the essence of Superman.

Gunn explained the challenge is finding fresh ideas for established characters without altering their core identity. While Superman’s parents are often portrayed as kind and good, that hasn’t always been true in the comics. There have been stories where Jor-El, Superman’s father, wasn’t presented as a purely benevolent figure, even within established storylines.

James Gunn explained that Superman’s parents are loving towards their son, but their overall view of humanity is different. They don’t see people as equals, which is a key twist in the story. He believes this aspect of Superman’s origin is permanent – his parents sent him to Earth not just to save him, but with the hope he’d eventually lead Earth and carry on Kryptonian traditions. This clashes with Superman’s own values and how he sees his role in the world.

Superman the Human Being

Gunn describes how revealing Superman’s secret identity to the world affects Clark immediately, but more importantly, it highlights his true character-the person he is at his core, independent of his parents’ beliefs. This is ultimately about Clark’s personal growth and self-discovery.

Being around Clark is really powerful because he’s always believed he was meant to do something bigger – that he had a destiny. My parents sent me to Earth to be a force for good, to protect people and the planet, and that’s always been his driving force. He’s always felt his strong moral compass came from something outside of himself, not just from within.

Gunn explained that the character experiences a personal crisis when he realizes the external force he believed in isn’t what he expected. This is the central struggle he’s facing right now. However, as the story unfolds, both the audience and the character, Clark, learn that his actions aren’t driven by his upbringing, but by his own inherent nature as a person.

This decision seems to be a permanent part of Superman’s story, so it’s unlikely we’ll find out the video was a hoax or that someone altered it. This could also become important in future stories about Krypton and its people, like General Zod, but we’ll have to see how it develops.

Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow is slated to hit theaters on July 9th, 2027.

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2025-09-25 00:12