The upcoming film Supergirl, the second theatrical release in James Gunn's DC Universe, is set to re-examine the foundations of Kryptonian society as established in Superman. While Gunn's Superman depicted Kal-El's biological parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, as space fascists with plans to conquer Earth, Supergirl will introduce Kara Zor-El's parents, Zor-El and Alura In-Ze, revealing a different facet of Kryptonian culture.
In Superman, Lex Luthor decrypts a message from Jor-El and Lara, uncovering their intention for their son, Kal-El, to rule Earth and use it as a breeding ground for Kryptonians. This revelation painted Krypton as a fascist society, prioritizing dominance over other worlds, a perspective that draws parallels to the Viltrumites from Invincible and elements of John Byrne's comic book reinvention of Krypton. This starkly contrasts with the traditional portrayal of Krypton as a beacon of science and knowledge.
Supergirl will present a counterpoint to this bleak depiction. The film includes flashbacks to Krypton's destruction, showing Kara's father, Zor-El, utilizing advanced forcefield technology to save a portion of the city of Argo, preserving a community of Kryptonian survivors. Kara grows up with her family in this enclave, developing memories of her parents and their teachings, unlike her cousin Kal-El who was sent away as an infant.
It is revealed that Zor-El and Alura held vastly different ideals than Jor-El. Instead of promoting conquest, they imparted a strong moral code to Kara, one more aligned with the benevolent figures of the Kents. This suggests a significant rift existed between the brothers, with Zor-El actively opposing his brother's expansionist views and striving to instill goodness within his segment of Kryptonian society. Director Craig Gillespie noted that this contrast makes Kara's journey and trauma of losing her nurturing family particularly poignant, creating an almost inverse experience to Superman's.
The film aims to argue that Kryptonian culture was not monolithic. While some, like Jor-El, believed in Kryptonian superiority and the right to dominate, others, like Zor-El, envisioned Krypton as a force for good in the universe. This internal conflict and Zor-El's opposition to his brother's ideology are central to Kara's upbringing and her eventual journey to Earth. The film implies that Jor-El may have been an anomaly, a