James Gunn redefines Superman's origin, sparking debate by aligning Kal-El’s mission with a morally complex Kryptonian past.
James Gunn, the writer-director behind the latest Superman film starring David Corenswet, has addressed the divisive change to Kal-El’s origin story. Speaking to IGN, he explained that the decision to recast Superman’s heritage as a failed Kryptonian conquest mission was intended to align with the broader DC Universe narrative without undermining the core identity of Clark Kent. Gunn acknowledged the strong reactions from fans but emphasized that the update was designed to be true to Superman’s essence, not to diminish it.
This origin twist reveals that Superman’s Kryptonian parents, Jor-El (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Lara (played by Angela Sarafyan), sent their son to Earth not as a hopeful savior but as part of a plan to dominate humanity. Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) exposes Jor-El’s message to Clark and the world, disclosing that Krypton viewed humans as primitive and intended Kal-El to produce descendants to carry Krypton’s bloodline and ultimately rule Earth. This recontextualizes Kal-El’s heroism as a choice rather than fate, reflecting the film‘s central idea that individuals can choose good despite their origins.
James Gunn’s Approach to Preserving Superman’s Core While Allowing Change
On ComicBook.com’s video interview, Gunn expressed his passion for Superman and the challenge of balancing respect for the character with fresh storytelling.
Image of: James Gunn
“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.”
He added,
“And so I think that 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 has been something that’s been played with in the comics before.”
Gunn’s comments suggest that while the origin shift may be jarring, it follows a tradition of evolving Superman’s mythology to stay relevant and compelling in a changing cultural landscape.
Historical Precedents of a Flawed Krypton in Superman Lore
The notion that Krypton was not an ideal society is not new to Superman canon, though the film represents a significant expansion of this idea. In John Byrne’s Man of Steel reboot, Krypton was portrayed as an emotionally detached civilization that relied on artificial gestation and scientific protocols to send Kal-El to Earth. Comic series like Superman: Birthright and New Krypton have also depicted Kryptonians as flawed, with themes including elitism and xenophobia appearing throughout.
Television adaptations have further explored Krypton’s complexities. The TVshow Smallville featured an AI version of Jor-El (voiced by Terence Stamp) who manipulated Clark Kent (Tom Welling) and exhibited a cold, authoritarian attitude toward humans. Similarly, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel portrayed Krypton as a world collapsing due to its own arrogance and genetic experiments, highlighting the planet’s deep-seated flaws. Gunn’s recent interpretation pushes this concept further, adding moral ambiguity to Kal-El’s lineage and challenging long-held heroic ideals, which has unsettled some fans devoted to traditional Superman stories.
Impact of the New Superman Origin on the DC Universe and Fan Base
The revised origin paints Superman’s Kryptonian background as morally corrupt, making his choice to become Earth’s protector a personal act of rebellion rather than destiny. This twist fits within DC’s current universe-building efforts, emphasizing that heroism comes from decisions rather than genetics or destiny. It also reflects a modern lens on identity and legacy, themes relevant to a diverse and evolving audience.
Despite the thoughtful reasoning, the shift has sparked heated debate, including frustrations driven by reactions to Gunn’s earlier remarks that framed Superman’s story as an immigrant narrative. Some backlash appears to stem from resistance to fundamental changes in character mythology, with accusations that the reinterpretation undermines Superman’s traditional values and heroic symbolism.
As Superman continues to play in theaters, the conversation around James Gunn’s creative choices highlights tensions within fandoms about balancing reverence for legacy with the need to innovate. With Gunn and DC intentionally pushing narrative boundaries, future projects will likely explore these tensions further, reshaping the landscape of superhero storytelling.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. In 2018, Marvel let go of James Gunn due to old tweets resurfacing. These tweets included offensive jokes about sensitive topics like pedophilia, rape, and abuse, causing public anger.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. In Gunn’s 2025 version of Superman, Krypto the Superdog was revamped using CGI, drawing inspiration from Ozu. Gunn, who grew up in a Catholic household, still finds prayer significant. However, he describes himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still finds prayer significant. However, he has expressed that he is, in part, against religion.
