Latest news with #JorEl
Geek Tyrant
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
James Gunn Responds to SUPERMAN's Controversial Origin Change After Fan Backlash — GeekTyrant
James Gunn's Superman has been praised for staying true to the heart of the character, but one big twist has fans divided, and that it that Jor-El's motives aren't as noble as we're used to. In the film, Lex Luthor uncovers a holographic message from Jor-El and Lara-El that reveals a shocking revelation, Kal-El wasn't just sent to Earth as a beacon of hope. According to the message, Jor-El intended for his son to eventually subjugate the planet and its people. Clark had no idea this was the case as the full message was damaged. This is a departure from the classic origin, where Jor-El's mission is to save his son, not conquer worlds. The change sparked plenty of debate online, and Gunn recently addressed the controversy during an interview with IGN, assuring fans that the twist doesn't betray Superman's core values: "I'm a huge Superman fan, so first of all I had to trust myself that I was going to honor the pieces of Superman that we needed to keep the same. And also allow myself to make changes where changes might work and wouldn't go against the integrity of who the character is. 'And so I think that was [...] simply dealing with allowing ourselves to change part of the story in a way that was interesting for the DCU, but that wasn't [something] that went against who Superman was. And has been something that's been played with in the comics before." This isn't the first time DC has explored morally gray Kryptonian origins, but seeing it on the big screen was enough to ignite heated discussion among longtime fans. One of the most surprising elements of the film is Jor-El himself, played by Guardians of the Galaxy star Bradley Cooper in a secret cameo. Gunn explained why Cooper was the right fit for the role once made iconic by Marlon Brando and later Russell Crowe: "I needed somebody who could play Jor-El… who had the stature of what we imagine that character being. Somebody who could walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando." Whether you love or hate this bold twist, Gunn clearly stands by his vision, confident that the essence of Superman remains intact. So what do you think? Did this origin shake-up add depth to the story or cross the line?
Geek Tyrant
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
James Gunn Cast Bradley Cooper as Jor-El in SUPERMAN to Echo Marlon Brando — GeekTyrant
James Gunn's Superman is full of surprises, but one of the most unexpected reveals comes in the form of Guardians of the Galaxy alum Bradley Cooper stepping into the role of Jor-El, Superman's Kryptonian father, originally immortalized by Marlon Brando. Gunn explained why he ultimately cast Cooper in the role, telling Entertainment Tonight. 'I needed somebody who could play Jor-El… who had the stature of what we imagine that character being. Somebody who could walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando.' That's no small ask, but Cooper was apparently up for the challenge, thanks in part to his long-time friendship with Gunn. The filmmaker added: 'A lot of times, Jor-El is played by a 70 year old man, and that means he was 70 when he had a baby. So I wanted somebody that wasn't too old… So I think that Bradley was perfect, he did it for me as a favor because he's my friend, and I really appreciate him doing it.' What makes this version of Jor-El especially interesting is the twist on his character's intentions. Yes, he still appears as a hologram in the Fortress of Solitude. But this time, the message he sends with baby Kal-El isn't just a heartfelt goodbye, it's a chilling instruction to conquer Earth. That little bombshell added a whole new layer of tension as Clark wrestles with his identity and place in the world. Fortunately, David Corenswet's Superman worked through his emotions and wasn't interested in playing galactic dictator, no matter what his space dad said. Even as Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) launches a propaganda campaign against him, the Man of Steel is more interested in protecting Earth than ruling it.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
James Gunn Got Bradley Cooper for ‘Superman' Cameo Because He Needed ‘Somebody That Could Walk In the Footsteps of Marlon Brando'
SPOILER ALERT: This article contains minor spoilers for 'Superman,' in theaters now. James Gunn has high praise for Bradley Cooper, which is why he needed him for a very important cameo in 'Superman.' More from Variety James Gunn Says He's 'Incredibly Grateful' For Successful Opening of 'Superman': 'A Hopeful Testament to the Kindness and Quality of Human Beings' David Zaslav Champions New DC Universe and 'Bold 10-Year Plan' After 'Superman' Box Office Victory: 'The Vision Is Clear. The Momentum Is Real' Box Office: 'Superman' Flies to $217 Globally, 'Jurassic World Rebirth' Crosses $500 Million, 'Lilo & Stitch' Hits $994 Million In the opening moments of the DC tentpole, Cooper appears as Jor-El, the father of Superman. The role was first brought to the big screen by legendary actor Marlon Brando in the original 1978 'Superman.' During a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Gunn said he cast Cooper with Brando's performance in mind, knowing he could keep with the foremost portrayal of Jor-El. 'I needed somebody who could play Jor-El, who had the stature of what we imagine that character to be,' Gunn explained. 'Somebody that could walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando.' Gunn previously collaborated with Cooper on the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' trilogy, in which the 'Silver Linings Playbook' star played Rocket Raccoon. The director said on an episode of 'Jake's Takes' that the relationship he formed with Cooper during those films made it easy to lock him in for 'Superman.' 'He's a friend,' Gunn said. 'We've stayed in close contact since the 'Guardians' movies, and I admire him greatly as an actor and as a director.' Gunn added that he called Cooper and asked, 'Hey, will you do me a favor? Come down, go to England, we're going to shoot you in a 3D environment, make a hologram of you, and you can play Jor-El.' David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult lead the cast of Gunn's 'Superman' as the titular Man of Steel and the villainous Lex Luthor, respectively. Other cast members include Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Nathan Fillon (Guy Gardner) and Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl). Best of Variety Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
James Gunn Cast Bradley Cooper for ‘Superman' Cameo Because He ‘Could Walk in the Footsteps' of Brando
Somehow, after years of steady press and endless speculation, DC Studios and Warner Bros. were able to keep one major casting coup a surprise for audiences right up to the movie's premiere this week… if you haven't seen 'Superman' yet, read the headline, and still aren't exactly sure who Bradley Cooper portrays, now would be the perfect time to stop reading. Just minutes into the movie, Cooper appears as Jor-El — yes, Supes' dad, who was once embodied by the legendary Marlon Brando (and his interesting pronunciation of 'Krypton'). Alongside 'Westworld' star Angela Sarafyan as the hero's mother Lara, he appears in a pre-recorded message to his son that Superman discovers in the Fortress of Solitude. More from IndieWire 'Practical Magic 2' - Everything We Know So Far Karlovy Vary Reveals 2025 Festival Winners, with Films from Iran, Czech Republic, and More In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Gunn said he was intent on casting an actor of Brando's magnitude for his version of 'Superman.' 'I needed somebody who could play Jor-El, who had the stature of what we imagine that character to be,' Gunn told 'ET' (via Esquire). 'Somebody that could walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando.' Writer/director James Gunn has a long history with Cooper, who, of course, was Rocket in the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' series. So, it didn't take much arm-twisting when Gunn made a call to the Oscar-nominated multi-hyphenate. 'Really, Bradley's just doing me a favor,' Gunn said on Jake's Takes (via People). 'He's a friend. We've stayed in close contact since the Guardians movies, and I admire him greatly as an actor and as a director.' In fact, Gunn literally called and said, 'Hey, will you do me a favor? Come down, go to England, we're going to shoot you in a 3D environment, make a hologram of you, and you can play Jor-El.' Cooper, according to Gunn, just replied 'OK,' and that was that. The 'Maestro' actor/writer/director followed in the footsteps of not just Brando — who was so identified with the character he reprised him from beyond the grave in 'Superman Returns' — but also Russell Crowe and Angus Macfadyen. When asked if Cooper might return for additional DC Studios movies, Gunn coyly responded with, 'You never know. It's possible.' If the box office receipts so far are any indication, then Cooper's second appearance seems inevitable. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
Washington Post
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Superman's father taught me how to write
Jennifer Finney Boylan is president of PEN America. Her newest book is 'Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us.' Superman's father taught me my most important lesson at college. I don't mean Jor-El, the Kryptonian scientist who foresaw the fate of his doomed planet, nor do I mean the various versions of 'Pa Kent,' who adopted the baby from another planet, and, along with his wife, raised him as their own.
