Following the release of Superman, fans have been debating over one major twist regarding Clark’s origin story. As opposed to solely being sent to Earth to escape Krypton’s destruction, the DC Universe film adds that Jor-El and Lara, Superman’s parents, sent him as a last hope to save their race and chose Earth so that he could dominate the human race.
Clark, however, was unaware of their motives, as their original message to him was partially lost. Lex Luthor later recovered the unsavory portion of their last words to Superman and broadcast it globally to turn the world against the hero. Unfortunately, this plan succeeds, and Clark has a minor existential crisis as he thought he was sent to do good.
This story choice has remained a point of contention among audiences, some of whom are convinced that Lex altered the message. In response, Gunn addressed the idea in an appearance on Happy Sad Confused with Josh Horowitz. He simply asked: “How can someone not think it’s real?“
Gunn added that the test screening audiences did question this twist’s legitimacy as well, suggesting it could have been doctored with artificial intelligence. He explained that the film puts a lot of effort into confirming the footage is real:
“In the movie […] Mr. Terrific says, ‘I know those computer forensics guys. There’s no way.’ That’s Mr. Terrific. Smart as Lex Luthor. Then I have my Secretary of Defense say, ‘I think whatever you think about Luthor, but it’s real.’ And then the clincher is that Gurkos and Lex are walking together, right? And you know, Gurkos says, ‘Ah, you doctored the message. This is great.’ And Lex says, ‘It’s not a message. You know, it’s not doctor. It’s real. And who thought his own parents would be the ones to bring him down?'”
What James Gunn’s Comments About Jor-El’s Message Mean
Jor-El having an evil streak is not a new concept, necessarily, but it is a bold move for the DCU to take this approach to the character. Interestingly, Gunn doesn’t see this revelation playing into the franchise much beyond Superman. He explained: “Honestly, I think he deals with it in this story pretty much.“
To Gunn, Superman is “about a guy who’s doing things he thinks for reasons outside of himself” and “comes to realize through the love of a parental figure, his father and mother, that he is not doing things because of someone outside himself. He’s doing things because […] that’s what he believes.“
Ultimately, Clark’s self-ᴀssuredness and drive to help people are why he is a hero. Gunn said: “It’s not an outside force telling him what to do or what to think.“
Our Take On James Gunn’s Comments About Jor-El’s Message
Though changing Superman’s backstory is somewhat controversial, it works in the context of Gunn’s film. His Man of Steel is meant to represent kindness and doing the right thing.
Giving the hero an internal struggle tied to his birth parents causes him to overcome his Kryptonian heritage and be a better man than he was meant to be. Superman is about choosing kindness in the face of strife, something emphasized by Clark’s arc.
