James Gunn Says ‘Supergirl’ Does Not Follow Tom King Comic “Religiously”

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James Gunn, the producer of this summer’s upcoming DC film Supergirl, recently shared both good and slightly disappointing news. The movie stars Millie Alcock (known from House of the Dragon) as Kara Zor-El, Supergirl – Superman’s rebellious cousin, played by David Corenswet. This will be Supergirl’s first standalone adventure, following her introduction in Gunn’s Superman reboot planned for 2025. The story follows her journey across the galaxy with her dog, Krypto, as she helps Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley) get revenge on the person who killed her father.

In a recent interview on the Variety Award Circuit podcast (reported by GamesRadar), James Gunn confirmed the upcoming film won’t be a direct adaptation of the comic book Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This news follows similar comments from director Craig Gillespie and has already disappointed some dedicated fans.

I’m a big fan of Millie Alcock in this movie! It’s a space fantasy – think something along the lines of Guardians of the Galaxy. While it’s inspired by the Tom King book, it doesn’t follow the story exactly, but it definitely captures the spirit of the source material. I can’t wait for everyone to see it, especially Millie – it’s going to be great!

While the movie definitely takes inspiration from Woman of Tomorrow, it seems like viewers won’t need to have seen the original to enjoy it, as this version has its own unique take. Here’s what Supergirl director Gillespie said at CCXP 2025:

I intentionally read Ana’s script before the comic to see how well it translated. I wasn’t familiar with the Supergirl backstory at all, which actually made me a great test audience – I could ask questions as I read. She did a fantastic job with the story. We’ve talked about the Tom King book a lot, and while that’s good, Ana took the narrative in a completely different and compelling direction. So, if you’re comparing this to the Tom King novel, it’s important to remember they’re quite different.

How Is Supergirl Different From Superman?


Warner Bros.

I was really fascinated to hear Milly Alcock, who plays Supergirl, talk about how her character differs from Superman in the new movie. Apparently, Kara’s had a much tougher upbringing, which makes her a bit more cynical and world-weary. It’s a cool contrast to David Corenswet’s Superman, who she describes as being more hopeful and innocent, really embracing the Earth and its values. It sounds like they’re leaning into some interesting dynamics between the two cousins.

Unlike Superman, Supergirl had a difficult childhood. She grew up on a planet that was failing, and everyone she cared about perished. This experience made her guarded, distrustful, and skeptical of others. She keeps people at a distance and finds it hard to trust.

Clark is quite different – he’s openly trusting and always expects the best in others. Because he’s lived a protected life, there’s an element of him putting on an act. Kara, on the other hand, is always genuine. If she’s struggling, it shows – she doesn’t hide her feelings, and that’s actually really nice to portray as an actor.

Fans are buzzing after it was revealed David Corenswet will make an appearance in Supergirl. And adding to the excitement, the film will feature a scene where he and the lead actress speak to each other in Kryptonian! Supergirl is scheduled to hit theaters on June 26, 2026.

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2026-01-06 18:35