The DC Universe is stepping into a new era, and at the heart of its rebirth is a character who has too often lived in Superman’s shadow, Supergirl. As ‘Supergirl’ is poised to be released in June 2026, James Gunn and Milly Alcock are creating a different version of Kara Zor-El that has never been seen before.
This Kara is merely a cousin, or another Kryptonian. She is a complete hero created out of trauma, flaws, and strength. Her appearance in Superman sparked initial hype. However, when her teaser trailer premiered at CCXP, one thing became very clear: this Supergirl is going to change the definition of what it means to be a superhero in the DCU.
How The DCU Is Redefining ‘Supergirl’
What happened at CCXP was not merely a promotional visit, but an emotional and heartfelt look at why Supergirl could be the most significant character in the entire Chapter 1. For Milly Alcock, stepping into the Supergirl suit for the first time wasn’t just an actor’s milestone; it was an emotional awakening. She felt the burden of the character on her shoulders when a producer, upon seeing her fully suited up, silently wept, not as a burden, but as a responsibility to every person.
Related: Milly Alcock’s First Look As ‘Supergirl’ Teases DCU’s Most Radical Reinvention Yet
The image that Alcock creates is one that has been lacking in most female-led superhero movies: the ability to be imperfect. “I think that what Supergirl represents, for young women especially, is that you can be flawed,” she explained. “You don’t have to be perfect to come to some sort of internal self-resolution.” This is a very striking statement since it addresses a universal truth. Female heroes had been boxed in over the years, always competent, unbreakably noble, and controlled.
Meanwhile, male heroes were permitted to be vulnerable and messy. Alcock’s Kara is different. She is honest about her weaknesses and has gone through traumas that Clark has never experienced. She bears the burden of Krypton in a manner that Superman does not comprehend. And rather than covering that hurt with a smooth surface, this Supergirl allows it to define her.
James Gunn reinforced this philosophy, emphasizing that imperfection is what makes Alcock’s Supergirl not just relatable but essential to the DCU. “Our female superhero leads are often so much more perfect than our male ones,” Gunn admitted. “Seeing somebody who was just so imperfect and such a mess… that was what excited me.”
“In Real Life, He Is Lobo”: Peter Safran On Why Jason Momoa Had To Return To DCU
Supergirl may be the emotional core of the upcoming film, but the DCU’s newest antihero is already stealing the spotlight. Jason Momoa’s casting has been received with a lot of excitement. DC Studios co-head Peter Safran put it in a nutshell: “In real life, he is Lobo.” It’s hard to argue. Momoa is undoubtedly the perfect fit for the role. However, as Safran points out, it was not just his appearance but Momoa’s passion.
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“He was volunteering to be Lobo,” Safran revealed to CBR. “He just wanted to do it, He came in, and he just crushed it.” Momoa himself acknowledged earlier this year that he has wanted to play Lobo since childhood. This is not a career step for him; it is a dream come true. And the fact that Gunn and Safran are setting Lobo as a long-term player in the DCU means that we are just witnessing the start of what he’ll bring to the franchise.
