James Gunn’s Superman reboot brought a new take on the Man of Steel that lit up DC Studios, but like many big-budget superhero movies, it also sparked a ton of fan theories and questions about the universe’s lore. Since the movie’s release, Gunn has been a constant presence on social media, answering audience questions and explaining plot points and behind-the-scenes choices. His latest reply tackles one of the film’s lingering mysteries involving Superman. 

One question, however, continued to stand out among fans, prompting Gunn to finally address it himself. 

Nearly a year after Superman’s departure in movie theaters, James Gunn is still engaging with fans and answering questions about the film’s world-building. In his latest Threads response, he answered a highly debated plot point about how Lex Luthor’s team managed to crack the Kryptonian message from Jor-El and Lara when no one on Earth knew the alien language beforehand. Gunn offered an in-universe explanation that sheds new light on the mystery that has fueled fan discussion since the movie’s release.

“There is enough info in the computer for Lex’s software and the best translators in the world to figure it out,” Gunn responded when asked how Luthor’s team translated the Kryptonian message.

For the unversed, in Superman, Lex Luthor’s team intercepts and translates a holographic message that Jor-El and Lara had intended for their baby son, Kal-El. The message is important in shaping the public's mind about Superman. After Lex publicly revealed the altered recording, public opinion quickly turned against Superman, allowing him to manipulate the narrative and portray the hero as a potential threat to humanity. Its translation, Gunn has now revealed (via Threads), was done by expert translators who had already been aware of Krypton's existence and had ample material at hand.

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While the explanation adds another layer to the film's world-building, Superman's impact extended well beyond online fan debates. 

James Gunn’s Superman was a big win for DC Studios, establishing the foundation for its rebooted cinematic universe. The film earned $618.7 million worldwide, including $354.2 million in the United States and $264.5 million internationally. Additionally, David Corenswet’s take on Superman and James Gunn’s optimistic and character-centric approach were celebrated for breathing new life into the iconic superhero franchise.

Meanwhile, Gunn’s explanation may not end every conversation, but it does provide a plausible in-universe answer to a question that has hung over Superman since its release. His answer also reflected his hands-on approach to engaging with fans, often elaborating more than what is seen on screen. These clarifications help enrich the film’s world-building as DC Studios continues to build its new cinematic universe, while keeping conversations about Superman alive long after its theatrical run. 

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Do you think Gunn's explanation resolves Superman's Kryptonian mystery? Share your thoughts in the comments.