James Gunn is defending his controversial changes to Jor-El in Superman.
**Spoilers for Superman follow in this article.**
The highly anticipated Superman, directed by James Gunn and released on July 11, 2025, has ignited passionate discussions among fans. While the film has been praised for its action sequences and David Corenswet’s portrayal of the Man of Steel, one major element that has drawn significant attention is the character of Jor-El and a major alteration to the motivations of Superman’s Kryptonian parents.
Superman fighting an unknown enemy in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
These changes have left many classic Superman enthusiasts feeling betrayed, arguing that they undermine the core values of hope, morality, and selflessness that define the character. Gunn has addressed this in recent interviews, offering his rationale while acknowledging the risks involved.
Bradley Cooper Steps into Marlon Brando’s Shadow as Jor-El
In the film’s opening scenes, audiences are introduced to Jor-El through a holographic message, voiced and performed by Bradley Cooper in a brief but pivotal cameo.
Bradley Cooper and Bob Iger attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
The role, immortalized by Marlon Brando (and handled admirably by Russel Crowe in Man of Steel) in the 1978 Superman film starring Christopher Reeve, carries immense legacy weight. Gunn, speaking to Entertainment Tonight, explained his casting choice with clear admiration for both Brando’s performance and Cooper’s abilities.
“I needed somebody who could play Jor-El, who had the stature of what we imagine that character to be,” Gunn said. “Somebody that could walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando.”
Gunn’s history with Cooper, stemming from their collaboration on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy where Cooper voiced Rocket Raccoon, played a key role in securing the actor. In an appearance on the YouTube show Jake’s Takes, Gunn described the process as straightforward, thanks to their ongoing friendship.
James Gunn attends the European Premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3” in Disneyland Paris on April 22, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by StillMoving.Net for Disney)
“He’s a friend,” Gunn shared. “We’ve stayed in close contact since the Guardians movies, and I admire him greatly as an actor and as a director.” He added that he simply called Cooper and asked, “Hey, will you do me a favor? Come down, go to England, we’re going to shoot you in a 3D environment, make a hologram of you, and you can play Jor-El.”
Cooper’s involvement was kept under wraps until the film’s release, adding to the surprise for viewers.
The Controversial Twist: Jor-El and Lara’s Dark Motivations Spark Fan Outrage
Far more divisive than the casting is Gunn’s decision to reimagine the reasons behind Jor-El and Lara sending their infant son, Kal-El (who becomes Clark Kent/Superman), to Earth.
Superman withstands fire in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
In traditional Superman lore, dating back to the 1938 comics by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Krypton’s destruction prompts Jor-El to launch Kal-El’s rocket as a desperate act of salvation, entrusting him to grow up as a beacon of good under Earth’s yellow sun and inspire the people of Earth as a hero.
In the original Superman, Brando as Jor-El read the now iconic line: “They can be a great people, Kal-El; they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you… my only son.”
Inspiring stuff, right?
Superman in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Gunn’s film upends this by revealing a second half to the holographic message: Jor-El and Lara instruct Kal-El to conquer Earth, rule its “primitive” inhabitants without mercy, and take multiple wives to repopulate the Kryptonian race.
This alteration has provoked widespread criticism from fans who view it as a fundamental betrayal of Jor-El’s character, traditionally depicted as a wise, ethical scientist warning of Krypton’s doom.
David Corenswet as Superman flying in James Gunn’s “Superman” – YouTube, DC
On X, reactions have been swift and heated, with many labeling the change as “character assassination.”
Jor el & Lara legacy ruined by James Gunn,especially if this turns out to be true & not manipulated by Luther which wasn’t shown in theatrical cut,F this movie
. @TheLethalGeeks @ReviewFischer @csthedirector @TheHarshCritics @HoldMyDualShock https://t.co/lvowRwakj2 via @YouTube pic.twitter.com/hIEFLJtovG— Bekou Movies (@bekoumovies) July 11, 2025
One user, @bekoumovies, posted: “Jor el & Lara legacy ruined by James Gunn, especially if this turns out to be true & not manipulated by Luther [sic] which wasn’t shown in theatrical cut. F this movie.”
The way they character assassinated Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van
Consider is that the LEFT favors “FOUND FAMILY” over birth family.. so in that respect that is woke because they had to DESTROY they and corrupt their memory so Superman would discard them like he did at the end— ĦѦ𝐕ⓞ₭ (@Havok_x01) July 11, 2025
Another, @Havok_x01, argued: “The way they character assassinated Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van Consider is that the LEFT favors ‘FOUND FAMILY’ over birth family.. so in that respect that is woke because they had to DESTROY they and corrupt their memory so Superman would discard them like he did at the end.”
Doesn’t matter what the speculation is.
As it stands James Gunn turned Jor-El whos supposed to be one of the most moral characters in the Superman mythos into a creepy combination of Ego in his own GoG movie and Thragg from
Invincible.That alone is enough not to give him…
— Chief Judge Fish (@ChiefJudgeFish) July 12, 2025
@ChiefJudgeFish echoed the sentiment: “As it stands James Gunn turned Jor-El whos [sic] supposed to be one of the most moral characters in the Superman mythos into a creepy combination of Ego in his own GoG movie and Thragg from Invincible. That alone is enough not to give him another shot.”
It felt disappointing because Jor-El and Lara are ALSO characters. They lived a life apart from their son as passionate scientists & environmentalists that weren’t believed. Transforming them into evil biological parents to validate Clark’s adoption felt lame and poorly-timed
— valkyrie (@crystarius) July 12, 2025
X users like @crystarius, expressed further disappointment: “It felt disappointing because Jor-El and Lara are ALSO characters. They lived a life apart from their son as passionate scientists & environmentalists that weren’t believed. Transforming them into evil biological parents to validate Clark’s adoption felt lame and poorly-timed.”
Superman wounded in the snow in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
The backlash highlights a broader concern among purists that such revisions erode the inspirational essence of Superman’s origin, turning his Kryptonian heritage into something villainous rather than noble.
Gunn’s Justification: Honoring the Character While Taking Risks
In response to the criticism, Gunn has defended the changes as thoughtful evolutions rather than outright betrayals. In an interview with ComicBookMovie, he emphasized his deep fandom and commitment to Superman’s integrity.
James Gunn explains why he changed [SPOILER] for Superman’s birth parents! #Superman pic.twitter.com/T4zIwnkTIV
— IGN (@IGN) July 14, 2025
“I’m a huge Superman fan,” Gunn said. “So, first of all I had to trust myself that I was going to honor the pieces of Superman that we needed to keep the same, and also allow myself to make changes where changes might work and wouldn’t go against the integrity of who the character is. And so I think that was simply dealing with some of those things was simply dealing with allowing ourselves to change part of the story in a way that was interesting for the DCU but that wasn’t something that went against who Superman was. And it has been something that’s been played with in the comics before.”
Gunn elaborated in a conversation with Inverse, noting that the twist creates a personal crisis for Superman without undermining his heroic foundation.
Superman saves a little girl in the Superman teaser trailer – YouTube, DC
“I didn’t want to take something away from him that was elemental to who he was, but I did want him to deal with a personal crisis,” he said. “I wanted at the heart of this story to be about Superman the human being and him struggling with something about the way he sees himself and his identity crisis, and then finding his new faith in himself through that process. So, the easiest way was to change what we expect about the mythology of Superman. But, in a way that doesn’t really hurt him because he still has his foundation in Ma and Pa Kent.”
He also pointed out precedents, adding: “It’s happened before in the comics. It’s few and far between, but it’s happened.”
Krypto the Super Dog in Superman – YouTube, DC
Additionally, the concept isn’t entirely without roots in Superman adaptations. In the TV series Smallville, Jor-El’s AI initially leads Clark Kent to believe he was sent to conquer Earth, creating conflict before resolving into a more benevolent dynamic.
This plot point has been referenced by some defenders as evidence that Gunn’s approach draws from existing lore.
The Debate Rages On
While Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe aims to refresh familiar stories for a new era, the response underscores the challenges of reinterpreting a cultural icon like Superman.
Fans remain divided, with some appreciating the added depth to Clark’s identity struggle and others decrying the shift as unnecessary and harmful to the character’s moral center.
Superman in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
As the DCU expands, it will be telling whether this controversy fades or influences future projects. For now, the conversation continues online and in fan circles, proving that Superman’s legacy—flawed or not—still inspires fervent loyalty.
How do you feel about this change to Jor-El in Superman? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
There are a lot of problems with that scene.
One, they never explain WHY they would send him to Earth to conquer it, and Superman never asks the question. Besides turning people against him, it doesn’t really factor in the plot as much as it should.
Two, it’s never explained how a bunch of Earth scientists can claim that they can verify an ALIEN language with 100% accuracy. Everyone in the movie, and apparently we as the audience, are just supposed to accept that its possible without ever knowing how. No one ever questions the process.
SPOILER ALERT…
And third, when Supergirl shows up later, Superman doesn’t think to ask her about this? She’s used for some joke scene about getting drunk on other planets, when Superman could have asked the one person who’d know Krypton better than he would about the validity of the message. And if the message is actually true, and he was sent to conquer Earth, then does that mean she is, too?
This is the kind of confusion that’s created when you overstuff a movie with so many plotlines and characters that you can’t flesh any of them out the way you should.
This was one of the least problematic parts of the movie and I kind of liked the twist. I still think Russell Crow’s turn as Jor-El is the best (Brando was overrated and hated playing Jor-El, you could tell).
His birth parent’s motivations to send him to Earth are less important than the warm nurture from the Kents. That he was sent to Earth is the key.
This is how all propagandist justify their on-screen subversions. If you give money to this garbage you support those changes.
So, his dad dad is now portrayed as a self-serving white man colonist. His adopted dad is a fat, short, bald mobile home resident. Supergirl is a drunk who rolls in and calls superman “bitch”. Would james gunn accept these new, progressive characterizations, if he were filming his own autobiopic?