Revealed: Jor-El’s Shocking True Motive for Sending Superman to Earth!

by

In the initial portrayal of Superman, DC Studios didn’t emphasize Jor-El’s character, but the reboot does present a fresh pair of Kryptonian parents for David Coresnwet’s Kal-El. Actors Bradley Cooper from “A Star Is Born” and Angela Sarafyan from “Westworld” take on roles previously played by Russell Crowe and Ayelet Zurer in “Man of Steel.

In a unique twist, Superman boasts a dual heritage – born on the alien planet Krypton to Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, yet raised on Earth by Jonathan and Martha Kent. Director James Gunn chose Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell for these latter roles. Since Superman is not an origin tale, his Kryptonian parents do not physically appear but are crucial through hologram forms throughout the unfolding narrative.

Why Did Jor-El Send Superman to Earth?

Upon DCU’s Kal-El’s crash on Earth, he brought along a message from his Kryptonian parents, Jor-El and Lara. Regrettably, part of this message got damaged during travel, resulting in Kal-El receiving only half a message, filled with familiar themes, urging him to protect Earth and its people.

Yet, as Lex Luthor managed to infiltrate the Fortress of Solitude (a feat made possible by Ultraman’s unexpected transformation), the Engineer successfully retrieved the remaining part of the message. Consequently, Luthor was able to disseminate it globally.

This unveiled the genuine motive behind Jor-El sending his son to Earth, where he sought to make humans appear primitive and encouraged them to be ruled by him, taking multiple wives and having offspring to perpetuate the Kryptonian race through him.

Initially, Superman’s actions sparked a global backlash, making me question his intentions. However, it was when he valiantly defeated Luthor, saving our world in the process, that I began to see him in a new light. His subsequent revelation of his inherent humanity and the Kents as his true family only served to deepen my appreciation for this complex character. This movie truly captured the essence of what it means to be a hero, both alien and human alike.

How James Gunn’s Jor-El Compares to Other Superman Adaptations

It’s not typical in DC comic history for Jor-El, rather than being a benevolent figure, to have an ulterior motive for Kal-El to take over Earth and rule it under his Kryptonian powers as a conqueror.

In a traditional depiction, Kal-El’s parents are often shown as distinguished scientists from the planet Krypton, who foresaw their world’s impending doom and actively worked to prevent it. However, they didn’t quite go so far as to plan invasions of other planets to preserve their legacy.

In Smallville, Jor-El manifested via a Kryptonian artificial intelligence (AI), displaying a degree of malevolence beyond his typical self. Though he was often stern and unyielding in his approach to molding his son into the hero destined to be, the CW series stopped short of portraying him as truly evil.

It’s worth noting that at one point in Smallville, Clark Kent started questioning Jor-El’s motives as he discovered a message referring to him as a “god among men” and ordering him to rule the humans with strength.

In the subsequent seasons, this particular plot element was rarely revisited, but it’s intriguing to speculate whether it influenced James Gunn, given his affection for the show. Notably, Superman himself acknowledged Smallville in a subtle nod through a Lex Luthor-related detail.

In the thrilling world of DC Rebirth, I found myself captivated by a new antagonistic version of Jor-El, who miraculously survived Krypton’s demise, seemingly due to manipulation from the enigmatic Doctor Manhattan from Watchmen. This darker incarnation was subjected to the grim realities of humanity in an attempt to shatter his trust in humankind. Consequently, he drove his son to abandon his connection with us, believing our time together was being squandered.

In the course of the narrative, Jor-El meddled with occurrences in Superman’s life and throughout the DC universe, using the cryptic alias “Mister Mysterious.

Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Jor-El in the DCU may not recur after that surprising turn as a villain. If the hologram is altered or given a new explanation later on, it might be possible for this version of Superman to seek guidance from his Kryptonian parents; however, at present, it’s difficult to envision such an occurrence.

currently in cinemas, Cooper makes his DC film premiere alongside David Corenswet portraying Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult in the role of Lex Luthor. The Justice League, comprising Nathan Fillion, Edi Gathegi, and Isabela Merced, can also be seen in the movie.

Read More

2025-07-14 21:06