DC Studios' James Gunn explains what makes Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El so different inSupergirl, compared to past interpretations of theDChero.Craig Gillespie’sSupergirlmovie is set to establish the titular Kryptonian hero as one of the DCU’s main foundations. Instead of presenting Kara Zor-El as Superman’s upbeat cousin on Earth,Supergirlwill follow Kara as she fights her own battles far off in space.
In an interview withComicBook,DC Studios head andSupermandirector James Gunn acknowledges the DCU’s Supergirl has a much different origin to previous live-action iterations of the hero. Gunn explains that living on Krypton’s remains have made Milly Alcock’s Supergirl"kind of a mess"compared to Superman. Gunn says that flashbacks to Krypton inSupergirlare"always a possibility,“but suggests the heart of the story is in how Krypton’s destruction shaped Kara Zor-El. Check out Gunn’s full comments:
“[Flashbacks to Krypton are] always a possibility. But I think those things are really integral to the two characters and the differences between them, and that Clark really does have sort of this really happy childhood. I mean, he had parents who loved him in an easy-going upbringing, and it makes him the least dysfunctional of superheroes in so many ways.
And Supergirl, especially the DCU Supergirl, she’s kind of a mess. I mean, she’s, she’s had real issues growing up. And it is based on the comic where she watched person after person after person dying in front of her as her piece of the planet disintegrated.”
What James Gunn’s Supergirl Backstory Comments Mean
Supergirl’s Source Material Provides A Fresh Exploration Of Kara’s Origins
Tom King’s acclaimedSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowcomic, on which the DCU’sSupergirlis based, follows a version of Kara Zor-El who has endured far darker experiences than her cousin.This Supergirl witnessed the destruction of Krypton firsthand and spent her early life in survival mode.As a result, Kara develops tough emotional armor, which sets her apart fromSuperman’s more hopeful and well-adjusted persona.
Instead of simply being known as Superman’s upbeat cousin, Milly Alcock’s Supergirl will develop her own personality, worldview, and supporting cast. Kara’s arc will be driven by different motivations than usual, and her response to adversity (which abounds in herWoman of Tomorroworigin) will reflect her unique upbringing. These changes make the DCU’s Supergirl capable of contributing a distinct voice to the franchise.
Our Take On James Gunn’s Supergirl Backstory Comments
The DCU’s Supergirl Will Be A Much Different Version Of The Hero
Unlikeprevious live-action Supergirl portrayals, Milly Alcock’s Kara Danvers won’t debut as a side character orbiting around Superman. From Helen Slater’s 1984Supergirlfilm to Melissa Benoist’s Arrowverse show, most portrayals have emphasized Kara’s connection to Superman’s legacy.Even Sasha Calle’s DCU Supergirl remained tied to the Man of Steel in the DCEU’sThe Flash, only in an alternate timeline. The DCU’sSupergirlis breaking that cycle.
Adapting Tom King’sSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowis an inspired creative choice. The comic’s mix of space-western storytelling and introspective character work offers rich material for a unique cinematic experience, not to mention all the visual spectacle that the DCU movie can get out of the source material. The unique origin story Craig Gillespie’sSupergirlcan give Kara will likely provide a strong starting point for Supergirl’s DCU journey.
