James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Jor-El Twist: Real or Just a Shocking Fan Theory?

In this piece, we’re disclosing a significant revelation about Superman’s character, specifically concerning Jor-El – James Gunn confirms that the major plot twist regarding Jor-El is authentic. (Spoilers for Superman are ahead.)

In an exceptionally debated adaptation of Superman’s beginning tale, director James Gunn’s 2025 movie titled Superman presents a surprising turn: a holographic instruction from Kal-El’s real parents, Jor-El and Lara, advising him not to safeguard Earth, but to dominate it instead.

James Gunn confirms that the Kryptonian message in ‘SUPERMAN’ is real and not doctored.

(via @joshuahorowitz)

— DCU Brief (@DCUBrief) July 19, 2025

This surprising disclosure has ignited passionate discussions among fans, with several wishing it was a lie concocted by villain Lex Luthor or a prelude to future rehabilitation for Superman. Nevertheless, Gunn has unequivocally verified the truth of this message, underscoring its importance in delving into Superman’s internal struggle and heroism.

The Controversial Message and Its Plot Significance

In the movie that premiered on July 11, 2025, the character Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, successfully interprets a damaged segment of a Kryptonian hologram housed within the Fortress of Solitude. The message from Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara (Angela Sarafyan) at first seemed affectionate, expressing their admiration for their son and his capacity for doing good.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, the hidden message that unfolds in this film takes on a more ominous tone. It appears that our beloved hero, Kal-El, is covertly ordered to wed multiple partners and breed Kryptonian descendants to resurrect his dying race. Furthermore, if Earth’s inhabitants refuse this new arrival, he is tasked with subduing the planet by force. This chilling revelation transforms Kal-El’s arrival from a beacon of hope into an impending invasion, adding layers of complexity and tension to the narrative.

The crucial plot point of the film revolves around this revelation, which undermines Superman’s (David Corenswet) reputation and causes him to question his own beliefs, following Luther’s leak of the damaging recording to the media.

In a struggle with his origins, Superman ponders if his altruistic character is rooted in Kryptonian fate or the influence of his parents Ma and Pa Kent. Resolving this internal conflict, he reveals Luthor’s deceit and replaces the hologram with memories of his childhood on Earth, signifying his decision to side with humans rather than Kryptonians. According to Gunn, this narrative thread serves as the movie’s central message, demonstrating that Superman acts based on his internal convictions, not external orders.

Fan Theories and Backlash

After the movie came out, spoilers quickly emerged, causing fans to engage in intense speculation. Many believed that Lex Luthor manipulated the message for the purpose of discrediting Superman, or that it might be rewritten in future installments to clarify the confusion.

Others compared it to grittier superhero stories such as Invincible or Brightburn, implying that Gunn introduced unsettling aspects into the classic hero.

In context of X, Haydenbarton_39 and other users strongly criticized the recent change, labeling it as hypocritical towards those who had earlier criticized Zack Snyder’s darker interpretations of Superman mythos.

As a devoted admirer, I found myself swept up in a whirlwind of emotions when the portrayal of Jor-El took center stage. The reactions varied greatly, from intense indignation, labeling it as a character defamation, to a more measured acceptance, with some acknowledging the enriched layers of heroism that Superman’s origin story now possesses.

One widely suggested idea was that the hologram in the movie might not have originated from Jor-El and Lara, but instead could be a deceit from a character like General Zod or Brainiac. This theory arose due to the film’s absence of clear visual identification of the speakers. However, these speculations have been categorically rejected by Gunn.

Gunn’s Confirmation and Rationale

In a recent conversation on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gunn expressed surprise and bewilderment over questions about the message’s authenticity, saying something like, “I find it hard to imagine anyone not believing it’s genuine…”, suggesting that he finds it difficult to comprehend that one of his choices could be so disliked that fans who appreciated the film are trying to offer rationalizations for it.

As a movie critic, I’d rephrase it like this: In my analysis, three in-film verifications were brought to light. Mister Terrific asserted that no manipulation took place, the Secretary of Defense endorsed its authenticity, and even Lex Luthor conceded its legitimacy – remarking astonishment over Superman’s parents contributing to his demise.

In conversations with media platforms such as Inverse and ComicBookMovie, Gunn clarified the reasoning behind his creative decision. He described it as a bold move intended to test Superman’s limits while preserving his fundamental moral values.

He expressed that he’s a big fan of Superman, so his priority was ensuring he stayed true to the essential aspects of Superman while still allowing for modifications that could potentially improve things without compromising the character’s essence.

The powerful turn of events pushes Superman into a deep, internal struggle, emphasizing that his heroic nature stems more from the influence of the Kents than his biological parents. Gunn further explained, “I didn’t aim to strip something essential from him, but I did want him to confront a deeply personal predicament.

Additionally, he allayed worries by referencing similar instances in comedy, acknowledging that such incidents are rare but have occurred.

1. SyFy series Krypton: This series portrays the story of a young Jor-El, who is taken care of by Brainiac.

2. Flashpoint Beyond: In this series, an invading Jor-El is depicted.

3. New Krypton storyline: This narrative revolves around the Kryptonians’ ambition to rule over Earth.

4. All-Star Superman: This story features a couple of ruthless Kryptonians, similar to Jor-El and Lara.

Moreover, the television series Smallville portrayed Jor-El’s artificial intelligence initially intending to train Clark for domination.

Future Implications and Reception

Gunn clarified that he won’t be returning to the twist from films like “Superman 2” in future installments, considering it already addressed. Instead, Superman’s journey is centered around his personal choices rather than Kryptonian decrees.

Although some viewers criticize it as a departure from Superman’s inspiring foundation, viewing it as a move towards making the character more relatable, the movie has received numerous accolades for its profound emotions and exceptional acting.

Amidst ongoing discussions about X and more, Superman serves as an intriguing figure within the DC Universe, seamlessly merging convention with creativity.

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2025-07-19 17:57