Spoilers for Superman (2025) are below!

Summary

James Gunn takes unique risks with Superman's lore, creating a more vulnerable hero.
The movie explores the darker intentions behind Superman's arrival, challenging public perception.
Changes to Superman's purpose on Earth make for an impactful emotional journey.

James Gunn's new Superman film had a lot of work to do, establishing the DCU and its flagship hero. The director wastes no time introducing numerous characters, weaving setup into the story elements, and allowing the world to thrive with unique elements. Beyond the characters inherent to Superman, like Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Jimmy Olsen, Gunn also includes characters from the larger planned DCU, like Rick Flagg Sr. And The Justice Gang.

Rather than retelling Superman's origins, Gunn skips over what audiences know. The film doesn't show Clark's life before the current story beyond small glimpses, leaving viewers to fill in his arrival on Earth and childhood. However, even with Gunn's decision to skip over much retelling, he makes unique choices that drastically change Superman's lore. Some decisions could have proven risky, but Superman leans into them, making for a better character along the way.

Split image of Superman Unchained, James Gunn's Superman, and All-Star Superman

Superman (2025): 10 Best Comics To Read Before Seeing The Movie, Ranked

Comics like All-Star Superman and the New 52's Superman Unchained are excellent choices to read before watching James Gunn's new Superman movie.

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By Melody MacReady

James Gunn Makes Some Unique Choices For The DCU's Superman

The movie shows Superman a few years into being the caped hero, suffering his first defeat at the hands of the villainous Lex Luthor. It captures the hero at a perfect down moment, allowing the audience to be revived along with the hero, much like the movie does for the DCU. It also shows fans that this is a more vulnerable version of Superman, easing into the idea that things won't be exactly like some may assume. This idea is further elucidated by The Justice Gang being so willing to kill, which is first shown in a fight scene where Superman is trying to do the opposite, making for a unique interplay.

Gunn takes some delightful swings, landing quite a few successful story tweaks. Superman depicts Jimmy Olsen as a ladies' man, allowing for a more mischievous, less milquetoast version of the character. It is also a far cry from Zack Snyder's choice to make Olsen a CIA operative who gets killed off. Gunn also chose to include Superman's dog Krypto, making for the pup's live-action debut, which could have been risky. However, audiences love Krypto, with his scenes often being highlights of the movie. Even the identity of Ultraman could have misfired had Gunn not landed the story's other impactful elements. However, Gunn's most significant change comes from Superman's purpose on Earth.

Superman's Parents Had Darker Intentions When Sending Their Son To Earth

Early in Superman, when he is being revived by his robotic assistants, a message from his Kryptonian parents is played, and it is explained that it makes him feel better. The message is translated, mirroring what most audiences know. It explains that the planet is dying and Kal-El is being sent away to save his life, that he is loved, and that he can thrive on Earth. However, there is a glitch in the message, which causes the remainder of it to be indiscernible. The movie highlights how this message and their ideals have instilled him with a sense of purpose.

Lex Luthor later steals the message and deciphers the full video, which goes on to explain further that Kal-El was meant to enslave humanity, lord over them, and recreate the Kryptonian race with a harem of women. While initially many thought this was a hoax, the movie proves it genuine, and the message flips public perception of Superman. Clark modeled his role as Superman around the idea that he was meant to use his powers to help Earth, and the revelation rocks him to the core. Superman even turns himself over to the authorities to make amends in hopes of proving to the public that it is not true, which plays into much of the film's second act.

Gunn's Choice Makes Superman More Dynamic, & Speaks Volumes About Krypton

Gunn's choice to change the reason Kal-El was sent to Earth makes the film a more impactful emotional journey, allowing Clark to learn where his ideals truly come from. Through the fight to clear his name, he ultimately learns that it doesn't matter, because Ma and Pa Kent gave him his moral compass. As much as Clark may have felt comfort from the message his Kryptonian parents left in the beginning, he can now draw that comfort from his adoptive parents on Earth, embracing his own humanity. Superman allows Clark to battle complex human emotions and moral quandaries that highlight just how much the world has influenced him, and show audiences what it means to be human.

The message from Jor-El and Lara also speaks volumes about Krypton's culture and ideals. While any parent would seek to save their child, their intent to have Kal-El enslave humanity is dark. It shows they wanted Krypton to persist above all else, beyond saving their son. Their plans show little regard for the human race beyond allowing Kal-El to recreate Kryptonians. While the movie doesn't explore Krypton from any aspect beyond the video message, it paints a culture that may be closer to Invincible's Viltrumites than the Krypton that most Superman fans know.

Gunn's choice to change Superman's lore was risky, but it is proving to pay off, as the film delivers on emotional beats as much as it does action and comedy. It also shows that the new DCU can thrive with bold new directions that can revive the characters, posing a bright future for the fledgling franchise.

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