Despite recent rumors Kurt Russell is NOT playing Jor-El in Superman: Legacy says James Gunn. The Legacy writer/director took to social media in response to some fan questions. As we covered in the related section below, Russell was recently asked but the rumors. Russell simply joked he’d love to take on Marlon Brando and loved working with James Gunn. However, when added to the earlier rumors fans felt like this was happening. It is not.
Gunn also loved working with Kurt Russell. However, the veteran actor is too old according to Gunn, and he simply doesn’t see the 72 year old as a first time father of a newborn. Actually, this makes complete sense and was something that fans noticed when the rumors began. Russell is the age you’d expect Jor-El to be when Clark is an adult, not a child.
The interaction Gunn has with fans was on this Threads link.
“I love working with and directing Kurt. Hilarious and fun and talented guy. But no this was never discussed.”
“I just answered this to someone else but, no. Love Kurt, and, although the mores of Krypton are certainly different than ours, I’m not sure I see him as the first-time father of a newborn!”
RELATED: Kurt Russell Comments On Jor-El Casting Rumors For Superman: Legacy
The question then remains, who is playing Jor-El? Or, perhaps that’s a moot point because Jor-El does not actually appear in the movie’s script? We don’t really know either way, however it would be unusual to not have a Jor-El cast. Almost every other adaptation has had Jor-El at some point.
And yet, other than to pass on some messages of wisdom, Jor-El really doesn’t serve much purpose unless Superman requires encouragement at some point in plot. Given this is a new take, there is no reason to assume anything outside of what we know already.
There do remain some roles to cast in Legacy. However, I guess we will have to wait to find out if Jor-El is one of them.
What do you think of this news that Kurt Russell is not playing Jor-El in Superman: Legacy? As always, leave any of your mere human thoughts below.
