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James Gunn’s Jor-El Twist: Comic Book Controversy or Bold Story Choice?

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James Gunn is defending his controversial changes to Jor-El in Superman.

**Spoilers for Superman follow in this article.**

A much-awaited movie titled “Superman” directed by James Gunn, which premiered on July 11, 2025, has sparked intense debates among enthusiasts. The film has garnered applause for its thrilling action scenes and David Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman, but it’s the character of Jor-El and a substantial change in the motivations behind Superman’s Kryptonian parents that has captured the spotlight.

The recent modifications to the Superman narrative have stirred a sense of disillusionment among traditional fans, who believe these alterations undermine the fundamental principles of optimism, ethics, and altruism that symbolize the character. In more contemporary discussions, Gunn has addressed this issue, presenting his reasoning while also acknowledging the potential consequences.

Bradley Cooper Steps into Marlon Brando’s Shadow as Jor-El

At the start of the movie, viewers first encounter Jor-El via a holographic speech, which Bradley Cooper delivers both vocally and dramatically, albeit briefly but significantly impactful.

The iconic role portrayed by Marlon Brando (and exceptionally played by Russell Crowe in the 2013 film “Man of Steel”) based on the 1978 Superman movie starring Christopher Reeve, holds a significant historical impact. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Gunn expressed his decision to cast Cooper, expressing admiration for Brando’s performance and Cooper’s talents.

Gunn stated that he required an actor capable of portraying Jor-El, matching the physical presence typically associated with this character. Essentially, someone who could follow in the steps of Marlon Brando’s performance.

The partnership between Gunn and Cooper, originating from their joint work on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy where Cooper lent his voice to Rocket Raccoon, significantly contributed to the actor’s casting. In a chat on Jake’s Takes YouTube show, Gunn shared that the process was smooth, largely due to their longstanding friendship.

Gunn revealed that Cooper is his friend. They’ve kept in touch since their work on the Guardians movies, and Gunn has high regard for Cooper both as an actor and a director. He casually reached out to Cooper saying, “Hey, could you do me a favor? Come over, go to England, we’ll capture you in a 3D setting, create a hologram of you, and you can play Jor-El.

Cooper’s participation remained a secret until the movie premiered, contributing to the astonishment felt by the audience at that time.

The Controversial Twist: Jor-El and Lara’s Dark Motivations Spark Fan Outrage

The choice made by Gunn to revamp the motives for which Jor-El and Lara send their newborn son, Kal-El (who eventually transforms into Clark Kent/Superman), to Earth is causing a lot more controversy than the casting decisions.

According to classic Superman stories dating back to 1938 comics by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the destruction of Krypton leads Jor-El to send Kal-El’s rocket ship out in desperation, hoping it would save him. As he grew up under Earth’s yellow sun, Jor-El intended for Kal-El, also known as Superman, to become a guiding light of goodness and inspire the people of Earth with his heroic deeds.

As a devoted fan, I recall Brando’s character, Jor-El, delivering the legendary line in the original Superman: “They have the potential to be an extraordinary people, Kal-El; they yearn to be. They just need guidance to find their path. It is for this reason, more than any other – their inherent goodness – that I’ve sent them you… my unique son.

Inspiring stuff, right?

In Gunn’s movie, the twist comes when it is disclosed that the second part of the holographic message from Jor-El and Lara commands Kal-El to subdue Earth, rule its people harshly without pity, and marry multiple women to perpetuate the Kryptonian species.

Many fans have expressed strong disapproval towards this change, viewing it as an unfaithful departure from Jor-El’s established character, who is typically portrayed as a wise and ethical scientist forewarning about Krypton’s destruction.

In the realm of cinematic passion, the response on X has been immediate and intense, with numerous film enthusiasts branding the shift as a “ruinous portrayal” or “unfair character alteration.

James Gunn’s actions may have tarnished the Jor el & Lara legacy, if the allegations are proven true and not fabricated by Luther as suggested. If this is indeed the case, then this movie is a disappointment.”

@TheLethalGeeks @ReviewFischer @csthedirector @TheHarshCritics @HoldMyDualShock via @YouTube

— Bekou Movies (@bekoumovies) July 11, 2025

A different user, @bekoumovies, expressed their disappointment: “The legacies of Jor el and Lara have allegedly been tarnished by James Gunn. If these claims are accurate and not fabricated, it’s unfortunate. I dislike this movie for that reason.

The manner in which Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van were portrayed may suggest a bias towards “found families” over birth families, as it appears they were tarnished and their memories corrupted to influence Superman to distance himself from them. This can be seen as progressive or woke because it aligns with the narrative that family bonds are not strictly defined by blood ties.

— ĦѦ𝐕ⓞ₭ (@Havok_x01) July 11, 2025

In my perspective, @Havok_x01’s point is this: The portrayal of Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van in that story can be seen as a reflection of a contemporary preference for ‘found families’ over birth families, which aligns with progressive ideologies. This was necessary to undermine their characters and tarnish their memory, ensuring Superman would ultimately reject them as he did at the end.

Doesn’t matter what the speculation is.

In the current version, James Gunn portrays Jor-El, traditionally known as one of the morally upright characters in the Superman lore, as a blend of the self-centered character Ego from his own Guardians of the Galaxy film and Thragg from Invincible, giving him a somewhat unsettling persona.

That alone is enough not to give him…

— Chief Judge Fish (@ChiefJudgeFish) July 12, 2025

The Chief Judge expressed similar feelings: “James Gunn has transformed Jor-El, a character known for his high moral standards in the Superman universe, into a disturbing blend of the self-centered Ego from his own Guardians of the Galaxy film and Thragg from Invincible. This change alone makes me question whether he should be given another chance.

The experience was disheartening since both Jor-El and Lara, who led lives devoted to science and environmentalism but were often dismissed, were also characters. Portraying them as untrustworthy biological parents for narrative convenience in Clark’s adoption seemed contrived and ill-timed.

— valkyrie (@crystarius) July 12, 2025

A number of users who admire @crystarius, voiced additional displeasure: “It was disappointing because Jor-El and Lara were also characters who lived separate lives as dedicated scientists and environmentalists. Their portrayal as Clark’s evil biological parents to justify his adoption seemed uninspired and ill-timed.

The criticism underscores a wider issue among traditionalists who believe that these changes weaken the inspiring core of Superman’s origins, transforming his Kryptonian ancestry from heroic to sinister instead.

Gunn’s Justification: Honoring the Character While Taking Risks

Speaking in defense of the backlash, I’ve chosen to view these alterations as thoughtful advancements, not as betrayals. In a recent chat with ComicBookMovie, I reiterated my ardent passion for Superman and my unwavering dedication to preserving his noble character.

James Gunn explains why he changed [SPOILER] for Superman’s birth parents! #Superman

— IGN (@IGN) July 14, 2025

As a big fan of Superman, Gunn shared, he had to trust himself to maintain the essential aspects of the character while also making necessary adjustments without compromising Superman’s integrity. In other words, they wanted to modify parts of the story in an engaging way for the DCU, but not at the expense of Superman’s true identity. This approach, Gunn explained, has been explored in the comics before.

In a chat with Inverse, Gunn explained that the plot twist triggers a deeply emotional conflict for Superman while preserving the strong, heroic core of his character.

In his own words, “I didn’t want to deprive him of something fundamental to his character, yet I desired for him to confront a personal predicament. My intention was to make the core narrative revolve around Superman as a human being, grappling with an identity crisis, and eventually rediscovering his self-belief. Therefore, I opted to alter the conventional mythology of Superman in a manner that wouldn’t undermine him, as he remains rooted in the values instilled by Ma and Pa Kent.

Additionally, he highlighted similar instances from the past, saying: “Such events have occurred in the comics, though they are rare.

Furthermore, the idea doesn’t originate entirely from thin air in Superman adaptations. In the television series Smallville, Jor-El’s AI initially makes Clark Kent think he was sent to subdue Earth, causing conflict before eventually transitioning into a more benevolent relationship.

Some supporters argue that this storyline element aligns with established stories (or lore) in the work of director Gunn.

The Debate Rages On

Revisiting Superman’s story according to Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe is meant to breathe new life into classic tales, but the feedback highlights the complexities involved in reimagining such a culturally significant figure as Superman.

Supporters continue to have differing opinions. Some are pleased by the deeper layers introduced to Clark’s personal conflict, while others view this change as unwarranted and potentially damaging to the integrity of his moral compass.

With the growth of the DC Universe, it’s yet to be seen if this current debate subsides or leaves a lasting impact on upcoming projects. At present, discussions about this persist both online and among fans, demonstrating that Superman’s enduring legacy—regardless of its imperfections—still evokes intense devotion.

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2025-07-15 16:59

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