DCU's Supergirl Will Be Messy and Imperfect, Says James Gunn
The upcoming DCU film breaks away from traditional perfect female superhero portrayals, featuring a reluctant and flawed Kara Zor-El in a space adventure story.
The DC Universe's upcoming Supergirl movie is taking a bold new direction by embracing imperfection in its lead character. James Gunn, head of DC Studios, and star Milly Alcock recently revealed their vision for a Supergirl who breaks the mold of flawless female superheroes that have dominated comic book cinema.
"I think that what Supergirl represents for young women, especially, is that you can be flawed," Alcock explained during a recent press conference, discussing her portrayal of Kara Zor-El. "You don't have to be perfect in order to come to some sort of internal self-resolution. I think that we're kind of thrusted upon this narrative, especially women, that you have to be perfect… I think that Kara is someone who so beautifully leans into her flaws. I think that's really, really special."
Breaking the Perfect Superhero Mold
Gunn emphasized how this approach differs from typical female superhero portrayals in modern cinema. "That's really what spoke to me, both in [Tom King's graphic novel Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow] and in the script. A lot of times – for some reason – our female superhero leads are just so much more perfect. Tony Stark and Star-Lord are such messes, and that isn't always the same thing for our female superhero leads. Seeing someone who was so imperfect and such a mess… that was what excited me."
This philosophy extends to the character's journey throughout the film. Drawing inspiration from the Woman of Tomorrow storyline, Kara finds herself pulled into an intergalactic revenge mission that forces her into the superhero role against her wishes.
A Reluctant Hero's Journey
Director Craig Gillespie described the character's arc as fundamentally different from traditional superhero origin stories. "She gets dragged very reluctantly into the world of having to be a superhero. The way she handles that, the way that she deals with it, and the way that she finds herself through that story is really fascinating. And it's incomplete, which I love as well."
The film promises to be a space-spanning adventure that showcases a more vulnerable and realistic take on the iconic character. Rather than presenting another invincible hero, the movie will explore themes of growth, self-acceptance, and finding strength through acknowledging weakness.
The star-studded cast includes Alcock in the title role, alongside Jason Momoa, Eve Ridley, and Matthias Schoenaerts. Fans can expect to see this fresh take on the beloved character when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26, 2026.