This Arrowverse Star Needs a Role in James Gunn’s DCU

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James Gunn’s recent film featured Milly Alcock as a new Supergirl, and she’s slated to star in her own movie in 2026. The focus on the Super family and the fresh direction of the DC Universe is prompting fans to fondly remember past iterations, particularly The CW’s Supergirl. While audiences are impressed with Alcock’s performance, especially her appearance in the final scene of Superman, many still consider Melissa Benoist a beloved Supergirl and a standout DC actress, believing she deserves continued recognition in the new DC Universe.

The Arrowverse has become a major success story in the world of superheroes, proving that big budgets aren’t everything. The actors from these shows have become strongly associated with their characters for many fans. Now that the DC Universe (DCU) is bringing different heroes together, fans are hoping to see some Arrowverse stars join the new franchise. While many actors could make a great addition, Melissa Benoist stands out as the best choice. Her talent and experience would not only excite fans but also bring a lot to the DCU.

Melissa Benoist Was The Most Iconic Actress From The Arrowverse

Three shows – Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl – were particularly strong thanks to their well-developed characters, thoughtful plots, and faithful adaptations. The actors who played these heroes – Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin, and Melissa Benoist – are fan favorites. While all three would be great additions to the DC Universe, Melissa Benoist especially deserves a larger role, given her captivating presence and versatile acting skills.

Melissa Benoist remains a fan favorite within the Superman community, and is widely considered one of the most gifted actors in the Arrowverse. She brilliantly brought both Kara Danvers and Supergirl to life, skillfully balancing the character’s strength as a superhero with her charming personality as a journalist, making both sides feel real and captivating. Benoist demonstrated incredible range, convincingly portraying everything from intense anger and deep sorrow to heartwarming moments, inspiring speeches, and perfect comedic timing. She truly excels at everything. This is why fans quickly connected with her portrayal of Supergirl – a character who is both genuine and sympathetic, yet emotionally complex. Despite being an incredibly powerful alien from another planet, Benoist made Supergirl remarkably human and relatable.

Melissa Benoist is a remarkably versatile actress, and her work goes beyond her role in Supergirl. She showcased her singing ability in the TV show Glee as Marley Rose, and even performed on Broadway in Beautiful: the Carole King Musical. Benoist also brought her musical talents to The CW, performing in musical episodes of Supergirl, including a memorable performance of “Moon River” during a wedding scene in a crossover episode with The Flash.

Benoist has a strong background in dramatic roles, having appeared in projects like Whiplash, the political series The Girls on the Bus, and the gripping mini-series Waco. She effortlessly moves between intense and heartwarming characters, which is perfect for James Gunn’s vision for the DCU – a universe that feels both fantastical and grounded. Her experience playing Supergirl will likely excite fans and further connect her to the broader DC Comics world. She’s a talented actress who understands superheroes and has the charisma to succeed on the big screen.

The Fandom Thirsts for an Arrowverse Appearance in the DCU

As a huge fan, one of the best things about superhero universes is when they connect different shows and movies with crossovers, cameos, and little Easter eggs! The Superman franchise is especially good at this, bringing back actors from older shows and movies. It’s awesome to see familiar faces! For example, Annette O’Toole appeared in the 2001 series Smallville, but she originally played Lana Lang way back in the 1983 film Superman III – it’s a fun nod to the past!

The CW continued this trend by bringing back Helen Slater, who originally played Supergirl in the 1984 movie, and later appeared as Supergirl’s adoptive mother, Eliza Danvers. Slater also has a history with DC Comics, having voiced Talia al Ghul in Batman: The Animated Series and played Lara-El in Smallville. The network also featured other well-known actors from previous DC projects, including Dean Cain, Teri Hatcher (from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Erica Durance (Smallville), and many more.

As a DC fan, it’s always awesome to see familiar faces pop up in new projects! There’s a real connection between the actors and us, and a lot of them seem to genuinely love being part of the DC universe. It was especially cool seeing Will Reeve – Christopher Reeve’s son – show up as a news reporter and hearing Michael Rosenbaum, who was amazing as Lex Luthor in Smallville, voicing one of the Raptor guards. It just adds so much to the experience!

Fans are hoping the new DC Universe (DCU) will acknowledge and connect with past DC projects, especially the popular Arrowverse shows from the 2010s. With Milly Alcock taking on the role of Supergirl, many are talking about Melissa Benoist, who previously played the character. Fans aren’t necessarily asking Benoist to return as Supergirl, but would love to see her appear in the DCU as a nod to the original series and a thank you to its devoted fanbase.

It’s clear why people keep asking Melissa Benoist about the upcoming movie and who will play the character next, Milly Alcock. In an interview with WatchMojo, she explained that wearing the superhero costume connects you to a select group of actors. She recognizes the importance of her role in the superhero world and hopes to potentially return to the DC Universe with a cameo if James Gunn is open to it.

Recasting Benoist as Supergirl Would Be a Mistake — And That’s Okay

Many fans fondly remember Melissa Benoist as Supergirl and would love to see her return to the role. However, while her portrayal was excellent, it’s best to let that chapter close. Bringing her back could lessen the impact of her original performance and limit her potential as an actress. It’s important to allow these characters to evolve with new interpretations and avoid simply revisiting the past – a sentiment Benoist herself seems to understand.

Every version of Supergirl offers something worthwhile because of the inspiring values she represents. She’s been a powerful and recognizable figure since the 1950s, and I believe each portrayal is important for young women to see. Hopefully, there’s a Supergirl out there that every girl can relate to and see herself in.

Okay, so as a gamer, I always thought Benoist’s Supergirl was super interesting. It wasn’t just a take on the comic book character, but honestly, it felt like they flipped Clark Kent’s story and made it female. Like, she landed on Earth, was raised by human parents, and became a reporter – very similar to Superman’s origin. When she was Kara, she was kind of awkward and naive, basically Clark’s personality. But then, when she became Supergirl, she was this awesome, inspiring leader, just like Superman. It wasn’t a bad thing that she felt similar to him, it just meant this version of Supergirl focused on different things than other versions we’d seen. A lot of people really connected with that. Now, with Milly Alcock taking over, it sounds like we’re getting a slightly different take on the character, which is cool!

James Gunn recently shared that Milly Alcock’s Supergirl will be a deeply flawed and struggling character. This version of Kara Zor-El, inspired by the comics, has a much more difficult past than the Kara Danvers audiences may be familiar with, and doesn’t have the same strong ties to a human family. Because this Supergirl is so different from the previous portrayal on The CW, it wouldn’t make sense for Melissa Benoist to return, and that’s perfectly fine. Fans are eagerly anticipating this fresh take on the hero and seeing Milly Alcock bring her vision to life.

What Characters Could Melissa Benoist Play In The DCU?

Melissa Benoist has proven she can play more than just Supergirl within the DC Universe. One possibility is she could return as a different version of Supergirl, existing in a separate reality from the one seen with Milly Alcock. This would be similar to how Ezra Miller appeared as The Flash in the Arrowverse, alongside Grant Gustin’s Flash – a fun, though likely small, part.

Many fans suggest Melissa Benoist would be perfect as Power Girl, and it seems like the most likely cameo appearance for her in the new DC Universe. However, that role might feel predictable, and Benoist could shine in a more unique part. Some also think she could play Linda Danvers, another version of Supergirl, who merges with the Matrix to become the hero. Although this character has potential, it’s still quite similar to her previous role as Supergirl on the CW, making it a potentially uninspired choice.

Many fans believe Melissa Benoist would be an excellent choice to play Laurel Lance, also known as Black Canary. She closely resembles the comic book version of the character. Importantly, Black Canary’s power, the Canary Cry, would allow Benoist to utilize her singing skills in a unique way. Benoist’s acting ability would also perfectly suit Laurel Lance’s complex and captivating personality. However, some Arrowverse viewers might find it strange to see an actress who previously starred on The CW playing such a well-known Arrow character, especially since Katie Cassidy played the role for eight seasons.

If Melissa Benoist isn’t interested in a leading role in the DC Universe, she could still appear in a smaller capacity. Many fans believe she could make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Supergirl movie, similar to other actors who’ve reprised their roles. However, it would be a shame not to utilize Benoist’s talent to fully revisit an iconic superhero character.

Melissa Benoist Would Be Perfect To Play Zatanna In The DCU

Melissa Benoist could realistically play a lot of different roles in the DC Universe, and she’d be great at any of the ones already discussed. But one character especially stands out: Zatanna Zatara. This powerful magician is a compelling mix of strength and vulnerability, and her dramatic, performance-based background seems tailor-made for Melissa Benoist’s talents.

Melissa Benoist’s experience as an actress makes her a great fit for the role of Zatanna, capturing both the character’s theatrical flair and her history as a performer. Benoist can effortlessly blend humor with dramatic intensity, and she’s already demonstrated the ability to portray Zatanna’s key qualities – her loyalty, thoughtfulness, and vulnerability. The role requires an actress with emotional depth and a musical background, both of which Benoist possesses. A simple change – dyeing her hair black – would complete her transformation into the comic book version of Zatanna.

Rather than having Benoist reprise a role too close to Supergirl, playing Zatanna would allow her to showcase a different kind of superhero, utilizing her unique talents. Her history with the Arrowverse doesn’t require her to be linked to Supergirl again. She could bring that same energy to a new character, creating a strong adaptation without being overshadowed.

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2025-10-23 21:14