Why Hawkgirl From James Gunn’s Superman Looks So Familiar

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James Gunn’s eagerly anticipated “Superman” film appears to have all the makings of a hit, reminiscent of Stefon’s descriptions on Saturday Night Live. There’s a charming dog, a delightful dynamic between David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Isabela Merced stepping into the role of Hawkgirl. This third point is particularly intriguing as it features a gifted young actress like Merced portraying Hawkgirl, a superhero who in the original DC comics has ties to three different women (specifically, Shiera Sanders Hall, Shayera Hol, and Kendra Saunders). In Gunn’s movie, Merced plays Kendra Saunders, a character with a deeply troubled past, as she is a reincarnated former alien who joins the Justice League. During an interview on the DC Studios Official Showcase Podcast, Merced shared that Kendra’s background involves struggle and darkness, offering a brief glimpse into her complex history.

Merced explained, “Kendra is not just reborn, but as an alien reincarnation. This means she retains all her previous memories. The plot, however, takes a disturbing turn that leaves me questioning how they’ll tackle it. Given the weight of past lives’ traumas and mistakes she carries, Kendra often comes across as somewhat moody.

Kendra is described quite extensively here, yet we can trust that director James Gunn, known for his ability to blend emotion and humor in films like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” will handle it well. Now, you might recognize Isabela Merced – she has appeared in numerous projects since her debut in 2013 with “The House That Jack Built.” Some of these include the sequel “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” from 2018 and the 2022 HBO Max remake of “Father of the Bride,” to name a few. Even though we’ve highlighted some of her more prominent roles, you’ve likely seen this up-and-coming actress in other projects as well.

Isabela Merced plays Anya Corazon in Madame Web

In 2024, Isabela Merced became part of the secondary cast in the film “Madame Web,” one of Sony’s numerous efforts to establish an expansive universe often referred to as the Spider-Man Universe, or SSU. This project, which included the 2022 release of “Morbius,” ultimately struggled and was largely unsuccessful after the box office disappointment of “Kraven the Hunter.” Unfortunately, “Madame Web” also received poor reviews from critics and barely made a profit at the box office.

In the film, Merced takes on the character of Anya Corazon, a budding Spider-Woman alongside Sydney Sweeney’s Julia Cornwall and Celeste O’Connor’s Mattie Franklin. However, their roles come with danger as the antagonist Ezekiel Sims (portrayed by Tahar Rahim, who interestingly didn’t physically appear on set due to extensive ADR work) is hunting them all. As a result, the main character Cassandra Webb, played by Dakota Johnson, attempts to safeguard the girls and move them away from danger. The movie, while not particularly good, offers enjoyment for those seeking something less intellectually demanding. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Merced reportedly misled Warner Bros. and DC about her role as Anya to avoid any potential conflicts between their upcoming superhero productions.

According to Merced, when “Madame Web” came out in early 2024, she felt that the movie had prepared her for her role as Hawkgirl in “Superman,” but she didn’t openly discuss her previous experience in another superhero film. Merced explained, “Yes, absolutely!” She questioned if it was even possible to play two such roles, acknowledging that others had done so, but expressing doubt about her own abilities. Consequently, she chose not to disclose her involvement in “Madame Web.” Furthermore, some of the stunt training she received during the filming of “Madame Web” proved beneficial for her later role, as she vaguely recalled performing similar stunts before and being suspended in a harness, but couldn’t remember exactly where.

She’s also Dina in The Last of Us

In the second season of HBO’s hit show “The Last of Us,” which is adapted from Naughty Dog’s popular PlayStation games, Isabela Merced’s character Dina emerged as one of the series’ key figures. Growing up in the secure community of Jackson, Wyoming, Dina shares a close bond with one of our main characters, Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey), and has an on-and-off relationship with another Jackson resident, Jesse (portrayed by Young Mazino). However, when both Dina and Ellie lose their mutual mentor figure Joel (Pedro Pascal), they seek vengeance. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to avenge Joel’s death and track down his killer Abby, played by fellow newcomer Kaitlyn Dever.

On this perilous expedition, I found myself in an astonishing predicament: I’m carrying Jesse’s child, and as the world spirals towards destruction due to the cordyceps virus, turning people into monstrous zombies with trees sprouting from their heads, I feel a new, intense pressure to endure. This isn’t just about my survival anymore; I’m bringing a new life into this devastated world.

Incredibly, Ellie and Dina also develop a romantic bond amidst the chaos, confessing their love for each other in the midst of this apocalypse. In an intriguing interview with Elle, the creators delved into Dina’s past — a harrowing tale where her family was brutally murdered by raiders, and at the tender age of 8, she took revenge on one of them. They concluded that Dina makes for an excellent companion, offering a stark contrast to Ellie’s anger and thirst for vengeance.

Merced commented about her character, stating that Dina’s perspective aligns well with other characters regarding loss, trauma, and grief – she believes in black and white, good versus bad, with no gray area. Dina is not portrayed as superior to the others just because she appears more composed next to Ellie. Instead, it’s crucial for Dina to demonstrate her own struggle to move on unless she pursues ‘justice.’

Besides this, she addressed Dina’s innate might as both a combatant and survivor, something remarkable; Dina may come off as distant, sarcastic, and humorous at times, but she’s also an exceptional zombie slayer. As Merced put it, “The most cheerful individuals in the room are often the ones underestimated the most.” In my opinion, this is what makes Dina so captivating: She possesses an equal measure of strength and potential fearsome nature as Ellie, but she expresses it differently. I believe she adapts to people’s expectations, whereas Ellie doesn’t bother with that.

*You can stream “The Last of Us” on HBO Max, catch “Madame Web” on Netflix, and get ready to see “Superman” in theaters starting July 11.

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2025-07-11 00:30