Spoilers Superman (2025) Grade and Discussion

[theenglish]

Superman’s Dark Legacy – When Jor-El Wanted His Son to Rule Earth - Superman Homepage

James Gunn's 2025 "Superman" film has sparked controversy with its revelation that Jor-El and Lara believed their son should conquer Earth, calling its people "simple and profoundly confused; weak of mind, spirit, and body." While this twist has shocked many fans, it's far from the first time...

www.supermanhomepage.com

Here is a nice list of previous versions of Jor- El who wanted his son to rule Earth. I think there are more but it’s a good start.

I was only aware of the two comic book stories. The biggest difference with Byrne's Jor-El and Lara is that they don't order their son to take over the planet--they just don't seem bothered if it were a thing to happen. That leans into the cold and calculating scientist angle.

 

[Tuskin38]

Superman: DC Studios Clarifies Whether Jor-El’s Message To Clark Was Real or Fake

James Gunn has put his foot down on this particular viral DCU fan theory.

thedirect.com

(It's real)

 

[thribs]

I saw the movie again today and noticed a mistake at the beginning. The text scroll says that Superman is the strongest metahuman but Superman isn't one. He's a Kryptonian.
I do think they made Superman a tad too weak in this movie. I get Ultraman is said to be stronger but the others should have been easy for him.

 

[The Realist]

It’s not a mistake. “Metahuman” is whatever Gunn says it is.

 

[Guy Gardener]

I saw the movie again today and noticed a mistake at the beginning. The text scroll says that Superman is the strongest metahuman but Superman isn't one. He's a Kryptonian.
I do think they made Superman a tad too weak in this movie. I get Ultraman is said to be stronger but the others should have been easy for him.

Remember that Klingon bird from the undiscovered country?

CHEKOV: We do believe all planets have a sovereign claim to inalienable human rights.
AZETBUR: Inalien... If only you could hear yourselves? 'Human rights.' Why the very name is racist. The Federation is no more than a 'homo sapiens' only club.
CHANG: Present company excepted, of course.

 

[theenglish]

I saw the movie again today and noticed a mistake at the beginning. The text scroll says that Superman is the strongest metahuman but Superman isn't one. He's a Kryptonian.
I do think they made Superman a tad too weak in this movie. I get Ultraman is said to be stronger but the others should have been easy for him.

His power levels are in line with the Byrne era Superman.

 

[The Realist]

I always find it really exciting when everything is easy for the hero.

 

[JoeZhang]

I can get not liking the change to Jor-El and Lara but "let's just ignore what is on screen and invent a different version with characters who do not exist yet" is certainly a choice...

 

[CorporalCaptain]

As for your second point, you're right, but Superman only interfered in history to save one person, Lois Lane. But, yes, it was a transgression of what Jor-El requested him to do.

I don't want to hijack this thread to discuss the 1978 film, but, after acknowledging that, yes, you're absolutely correct, let me also say that my take was that Superman did additional subterranean repairs to the Earth that stopped Lois's car from getting swallowed up (I mean, at a minimum, he had to that, right?), and those repairs (as well as any others that he also had time to do) might have saved additional lives.

 

[Mudd]