4 Years On, Supergirl Makes DC’s Superman Motto Change An Insult

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James Gunn’s new DC Universe is taking risks with its characters. Unlike traditional Superman stories where he’s always a flawless hero, this Superman begins his film journey with a defeat. The movie, set for release in 2025, shows him struggling and even losing battles before ultimately overcoming Lex Luthor’s attempt to destroy him. He doesn’t succeed on his own, though – the Justice League helps, along with his dog, Krypto. Sadly, Krypto can’t stay for long, as he needs to return to Supergirl, his original owner, Kara Zor-El.

Though Milly Alcock’s character appears briefly in Superman, she’ll soon have a starring role in her own film, Supergirl, which comes out in theaters on June 26, 2026, during the peak of the summer movie season. DC Studios is starting to release promotional content to give audiences a sense of the film’s tone, but surprisingly, the campaign includes a pointed critique of a well-known element from Superman‘s past.

Superman’s Motto Isn’t Off Limits for the DCU

Even before the new Superman movie came out, there was some debate over the character’s famous motto. A toy connected to the film used the phrase “truth, justice, and the human way,” which was a twist on Superman’s well-known line, “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” Some fans were upset that the creators were changing established details, but they didn’t know the change had actually been planned for a while. DC Comics announced back in 2021 that Superman’s motto would be updated from “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” to “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow.” This was presented as a logical step for the character, reflecting that he protects people everywhere, not just in the United States.

People have been surprisingly focused on a recent change to a famous motto, even though it wasn’t consistently used in DC comics or other adaptations for decades. Interestingly, this altered phrase never appeared in Superman at all, making much of the debate unnecessary. However, Supergirl is actively highlighting its differences from the Superman movies by using this new version of the motto. The film’s first poster, featuring “Truth. Justice. Whatever.,” seems to be a direct challenge to both Superman and anyone critical of the change, and it clarifies why Supergirl decided to make such a noticeable alteration before its release.

Supergirl Doesn’t Want to Be the Woman of Tomorrow

The new DC Universe version of Supergirl isn’t presented as a perfect hero. She’s portrayed as someone who enjoys having fun and often avoids her duties, much to the dismay of her family. Because of this, the filmmakers are being careful not to give her too much responsibility too soon. Originally, the Supergirl movie was titled “Woman of Tomorrow,” mirroring a popular comic book storyline. However, this version of Kara doesn’t yet seem ready to focus on building a better future, as she’s still dealing with the trauma of losing her home planet.

Superman will be in the new movie, Man of Tomorrow, and it will likely include another Kryptonian from the DC Universe. Both that film and the Supergirl movie should help set Kara up for future success, and by the time they’re released, she may be ready to focus on a more hopeful future. However, don’t anticipate seeing her classic motto prominently displayed on the sequel’s promotional materials.

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2025-12-11 16:11