Superman’s Divisive Origin Change Addressed By James Gunn After DC Fan Outrage

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James Gunn, the creative mind behind one of Superman’s most contentious moments, has finally spoken up regarding the alteration of Kal-El’s (David Corenswet) origin story as a failed conquest mission from Krypton. In an interview with IGN, Gunn addressed the backlash some fans have shown online, emphasizing that this twist was not intended to distort Superman’s fundamental identity. Instead, he explains that the intention was to modernize Superman’s mythology in a way that harmonizes with the broader narrative of the DC Universe without sacrificing the essence of Clark Kent. However, this change has ignited intense discussions among long-term DC fans, including some vocal criticism stemming from initial comments made by Gunn about how Superman represents an immigrant story.

Gunn stated, “I’m quite fond of Superman. Therefore, I had to have confidence in my ability to maintain essential aspects of Superman while also making adjustments where necessary, without compromising his character integrity.” In other words, he aimed to modify parts of the story in a way that was intriguing for the DCU, yet remained true to Superman’s character and previous comic book adaptations.

The central surprise in the movie unfolds through a faulty hologram featuring Jor-El (played by Bradley Cooper) and Lara (Angela Sarafyan). At first, Clark Kent perceives it as a beacon of hope, motivating him to take on the role of Earth’s guardian. However, Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) unveils the complete message to the public, including Clark, revealing that Jor-El had actually sent his son to rule Earth. The corrupted Kryptonians, as depicted by Jor-El, view humans as primitive, and Kal-El is ordered to produce numerous offspring to continue Krypton’s bloodline. This unexpected revelation taints Superman’s Kryptonian ancestry as morally questionable, positioning his heroism as a personal choice rather than an inevitable fate. The twist aligns with the film’s central theme that one’s origins do not necessarily dictate their capacity for good deeds.

Superman‘s Origin Twist Has Roots in the Franchise

In a fresh twist for theatrical Superman films, it’s not novel that Krypton wasn’t a completely noble society; this concept has been part of Superman’s history for many years. For example, in John Byrne’s Man of Steel reboot, Krypton was portrayed as an emotionally cold civilization. In this depiction, Kal-El is conceived in an artificial matrix and sent to Earth by scientists adhering to regulations. More contemporary comics like Superman: Birthright and New Krypton delve into morally ambiguous Kryptonian societies, where traces of elitism, xenophobia, or imperialism sometimes emerge.

As a supporter, I’ve noticed that live-action Superman adaptations have delved into the notion of Krypton as imperfect. In Smallville, Jor-El’s AI, voiced by Terence Stamp, often guides Clark (Tom Welling) and disregards human morality, pushing him towards dominance and power. Although the show later portrays Jor-El as a more complex character than a villain, his early depiction is deliberately cold and authoritarian. Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel also presented a Krypton doomed by its own arrogance, with a divided council disregarding planetary collapse and engaging in genetic engineering. Gunn’s interpretation goes beyond either, but it’s not unprecedented.

Superman is now playing in theaters.

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2025-07-15 14:39