Supergirl thankfully doesn't retcon Superman's most polarizing twist

James Gunn largely kept Superman's origin intact in his 2025 film: Kal-El's birth on Krypton, arrival on Earth and Kansas upbringing remain central, defining him as an all‑powerful alien who represents the best of humanity. He did, however, introduce one radical change that Supergirl now doubles down on.

In Superman, Kal-El (David Corenswet) has only a mangled holographic message from his parents. After Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) breaks into the Fortress of Solitude and decodes it, the recording reveals Jor-El and Lara sent him to Earth to conquer it, not to save it.

The message includes lines such as Jor-El: "The people there are simple and profoundly confused — weak of mind and spirit and body. Lord over the planet as the last son of Krypton." Lara: "Dispatch of anyone unable or unwilling to serve you, Kal-El. Take as many wives as you can, so your genes and Krypton's might and legacy will live on in this new frontier." Jor-El: "Do us proud, our beloved son.

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