‘Superman’ is a symbol of hope and optimism in the DC universe, but ‘Supergirl’ will be delving into a much darker emotional journey.
New comments from Milly Alcock and director Craig Gillespie bring new light to the upcoming film, and give an explanation on why Kara Zor-El will be different from her famous cousin.
Supergirl’s Painful Past Sets Her Apart From Superman
Instead of just making a female version of Superman, the DCU is going all in on ‘Supergirl’s distinct struggles, crafting a narrative that’s about trauma, resilience, and emotional scars. It’s a path that could lead to ‘Supergirl’ becoming one of the most interesting characters in the franchise.
Related: What Happened After ‘House of the Dragon’ Is Why Milly Alcock Isn’t Afraid of ‘Supergirl’ Backlash
Although Superman and Supergirl both come from Krypton, their experiences couldn’t be more different. David Corenswet’s Clark Kent was born on Earth as a baby and raised in a loving and supportive environment. However, Kara can still remember all the things she lost.
She saw Krypton destroyed and her people killed, and it haunts her to this day when she reaches Earth. “She’s such a good contrast to Superman, because she’s a survivor of trauma in the purest sense. I was excited to play someone so beautifully flawed and resilient.” Hey, if you lost your entire planet and people, you’d probably be messed up too,” Alcock told Empire.
The actress said that James Gunn’s vision is not to hide Kara’s flaws, but to embrace them. The film does not focus on a perfect hero but on someone who still has a lot of emotional baggage to deal with. Someone is trying to find her place in the universe. That’s a tactic that has not been employed by any Kryptonian heroes from the DCU before. She’s tougher, rougher, and still has wounds that haven’t healed.
The DCU Is Leaning Into Supergirl’s Complicated Past
The character-driven approach of the project was what attracted director Craig Gillespie. He called the script a tale that swings from very emotional to irreverent, and makes Supergirl feel like a human being and unpredictable.
In case you missed it: How DC’s Supergirl Adds A Dark Twist To Her First Meeting With Superman With One Major Change
“I have a very specific tone I’m attracted to. I always loved the first Iron Man: flawed, complex, and conflicted. They sent me the Ana Nogueira script for Supergirl, and two scenes in, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ It was exactly what I hoped for; it’s all character. She went from an incredibly, incredibly dark scene to this irreverent character scene, all in the first 15 pages,” he shared.
The film does not try to make Kara’s rough edges smooth; it embraces them. That emotional intricacy might help set Supergirl apart from other superhero films. Superman’s story is one of inspiration and hope, while Kara’s is one of survival and recovery.
Fans will finally see Alcock’s Supergirl’s emotional journey in all its glory in ‘Superman’. The upcoming film could be pivotal in shaping one of the DCU’s most significant characters. The actress will also be reprising her role in ‘Man of Tomorrow’.
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