James Gunn is reshaping the DC Universe with a bold, emotionally charged vision, and nowhere is that clearer than in the introduction of Supergirl. Played by ‘House of the Dragon’ star Milly Alcock, Kara Zor-El made her cinematic debut in the new ‘Superman’ film.
Stumbling into the Fortress of Solitude drunk, just to pick up her dog Krypto, Supergirl instantly shattered expectations. This wasn’t the polished, morally centered Kara from ‘Supergirl’ or the quiet, tragic survivor from comics. This was a bruised soul with baggage.
James Gunn On Why Supergirl Is Very Different From Superman
In a conversation with ScreenRant, James Gunn didn’t sugarcoat Supergirl’s state. When asked about Kara being “a mess,” Gunn confirmed, “Yeah, that’s her. She’s a mess. She’s a total mess.” And that “mess” isn’t a flaw; it’s a story foundation. Unlike Kal-El, who was sent to Earth as a baby and raised by the loving Jonathan and Martha Kent, Supergirl’s path is far harsher.
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Gunn emphasized the disparity in their upbringings. “He’s had this wonderful upbringing by these two parents who loved him and were very healthy. And her background was much different than that.” It’s a crucial distinction. Kara remembers Krypton. She experienced its collapse. She saw the cruelty, the hierarchy, the collapse of a world that shaped her far more deeply than it ever shaped Kal.
Her trauma is fresh, unfiltered, and still unresolved. When she arrives on Earth, she’s not ready to be a symbol of hope. She’s still trying to find her own. This more abrasive, emotionally volatile version of Kara Zor-El is a sharp contrast to the optimistic, clear-headed Superman played by David Corenswet. Their dynamic, even in just one brief scene together, has a lot of potential. One is a hero forged by Earth’s nurturing love, the other a survivor hardened by cosmic tragedy.
If Superman represents who we aspire to be, Supergirl represents who we are when life hasn’t been kind. Gunn has confirmed that Alcock’s character will headline her own solo film in 2026, titled ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ However, as he put it, this Kara might be “even rougher in the film than she is in the comic.” That means audiences should prepare for a deeply personal story.
Why Supergirl Didn’t Warn Superman About His Parents’ Intentions And The Reason It Doesn’t Matter
Another question circling the DCU fandom is Kara’s reaction to one of Superman’s biggest bombshells: the revelation that Jor-El and Lara sent Kal-El to Earth not to protect the planet, but to rule it. Many fans expected Kara, who spent more time on Krypton, to offer some clarity or warning about their motives. However, in the film, there’s no moment of revelation between cousins. She shows up, picks up the dog, and flies off.
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In a Rolling Stone interview, Gunn explained this choice. “You’re assuming that everybody on Krypton is the same! And how would she know? She’s younger than he, so she wouldn’t know. She wouldn’t know anything about his parents.” It’s a fair and fitting response. Kara doesn’t serve as a narrative device to explain Clark’s story; she’s living her own. She’s just as lost in her own pain as Clark is in his identity crisis.
And no, there isn’t a secret twist coming to “redeem” Jor-El and Lara either. As Gunn told Rolling Stone, when asked if there might be a hidden truth or retcon on the horizon, “They’re s–t out of luck!”. It’s clear Jor-El and Lara are part of the new DCU canon, and that harsh truth about Superman’s origins is meant to challenge him. So, it’s not going to be undone later for comfort.
