As the DC Universe takes form, James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, has stressed the need for a range of different tones. He wants to avoid a situation where all projects feel the same. Much like the comic books, DC Studios plans for each movie and TV show to have its own distinct atmosphere, making each one stand out. This approach has already proven successful, with Superman and Peacemaker receiving positive reviews while each establishing its own identity. Fans are eager to see what’s next, and it appears Supergirl will also be different in terms of its overall tone.
I was reading an interview with Variety, and Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira shared what finally helped her figure out the movie’s story. She’d been struggling until someone introduced her to Tom King’s Woman of Tomorrow comic. She said she always had trouble understanding a version of the character that seemed so optimistic, especially because she’d witnessed Krypton’s total destruction. But once she read King’s comic – which she described as “rougher and grittier and edgier and funnier” – everything clicked. She literally said, “When I read it, I was like, ‘There she is.’”
Supergirl Will Help the DCU Continue to Feel Fresh (and That’s Important)
Nogueira’s statements confirm what we already saw in Supergirl’s appearance at the end of Superman. Even though Kara Zor-El is related to Kal-El, she’s a very different person. She likes to travel and often copes with problems by drinking a lot of alcohol. These differences between the two Kryptonian cousins make sense considering how they grew up. Kal-El was raised by a warm and loving family as Clark Kent, and he learned the importance of helping people. Kara, however, became deeply troubled after witnessing the destruction of her home world. It’s natural that she’d be more disillusioned and skeptical than her cousin, who generally has a positive attitude and always tries to find the good in others.
Building a film around a main character that James Gunn has called a “total mess” is a promising idea, as it fits with the DCU’s goal of exploring a variety of styles. The first Supergirl teaser poster’s tagline, “Look Out” (playing on Superman’s “Look Up”), hints at this. Kara is a hero, but she’s more rugged and less polished than Superman. While Kal-El famously went out of his way to save a squirrel during a monster attack on Metropolis, Kara might be more pragmatic, prioritizing completing the mission even if it means collateral damage. This could be especially true at the beginning of the Supergirl story, as she’s likely grappling with past trauma. Fully exploring the difficult parts of Kara’s history could create a solid base for a compelling story about her overcoming personal struggles and finding herself.
Supergirl director Craig Gillespie is new to comic book movies, but he seems like a perfect choice for the project. He’s previously worked on films like I, Tonya, Cruella, and Pam & Tommy, which all featured flawed and complex characters. This experience should be a real asset to Supergirl; throughout his career, Gillespie has proven he can create engaging and fun stories, even when they involve difficult or unusual subjects. He’s skilled at thinking creatively and if anyone can portray the DCU’s Kara Zor-El as both tough and funny, it’s him.
The DCU has started strong with successful shows like Superman and Peacemaker. To keep building on this early success, it’s important to explore different styles and approaches. As we’ve seen this year, superhero movies aren’t guaranteed box office hits like they used to be in the 2010s. Films like Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* didn’t perform as well as expected, proving that audiences won’t automatically go to see a superhero movie just because it’s new. Filmmakers need to make each project feel new and exciting to attract viewers. A bold, unconventional take on Supergirl could really make Gillespie’s film a huge success next summer.
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2025-10-02 23:12