Several weeks after the release of Superman, a sharp-eyed fan has identified a significant James Gunn Superman plot hole involving the character Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult. During a critical scene at Superman’s concealed stronghold in Antarctica, Luthor commands The Engineer to hack into Superman’s Kryptonian database in search of the missing half of a message from his biological parents. This discovery becomes the key to turning public opinion against the hero. Yet, an essential piece of information that could have exposed Superman’s true identity remains untouched, creating a glaring plot inconsistency.
The Missed Clue: Superman’s Earth Parents’ Home Video
Twitter user Seba brought attention to the fact that instead of uncovering only the cryptic message from Kara and Jor-El, The Engineer could have also accessed the heartfelt home video of Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent, featured at the film’s conclusion. This video contains intimate glimpses into Clark’s upbringing and could have provided Luthor with critical leverage.
“I just realized she hacked the Fortress of Solitude but just missed the whole home video of Clark’s upbringing,” —Seba, Fan
This gap in Luthor’s investigation is puzzling, given his reputation as a supergenius villain. The home video might have revealed the identity of Superman’s Earth parents, allowing Luthor to track them down and use them as bait, similar to his approach with the hero’s friend Malik Ali.
How Luthor’s Blind Spot Could Have Changed the Conflict
At the point in the story where Superman, played by David Corenswet, is captured, Luthor demonstrates no knowledge of Clark Kent’s upbringing or true identity. In fact, he mistakenly threatens Clark Kent, unaware that he and Superman are the same person. Utilizing the home video would have exposed this secret, enabling Luthor to exploit Superman’s Earth family, a tactic reminiscent of previous DC films.
In Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, for example, Jessie Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor kidnaps Martha Kent to force Superman (Henry Cavill) into a confrontation with Batman. However, this darker plot thread may not have suited the tone of James Gunn’s Superman, which serves as part of the DCU: Gods and Monsters initiative.
Counterarguments and Thematic Intentions Behind the Plot Choice
Some fans argue that the home video footage was deliberately not accessible to The Engineer during the hack, which aligns with the movie’s thematic message. One viewer commented,
“It obviously hadn’t been uploaded yet. That’s kinda the point of the movie. Superman replaced the footage of his Kryptonian parents with his Earth parents because they were morally good people who he loved more.”—Fan Comment
This interpretation suggests that the omission was intentional, preserving the secrecy of Superman’s adoptive background from even the most cunning villains.
Implications for Superman’s Secrecy Against a Genius Foe
The film leaves open whether Luthor could have discovered Clark Kent’s Earth parentage through other means within the Fortress of Solitude. Nevertheless, the fact that Superman managed to keep this critical information hidden from such an intelligent adversary adds an intriguing layer to the story, albeit raising questions about Lex Luthor’s investigative thoroughness.
Superman Continues His Cinematic Journey
Superman remains in theaters now, inviting audiences to witness the unfolding narrative and uncover more details. Fans and critics alike are engaging with the film’s plot points, Easter eggs, and connections to the growing DC Universe. The discussions sparked by this discovered plot hole emphasize the impact of the story on viewers and underline anticipation for upcoming entries in the DC movie lineup.
