How James Gunn’s Superman Sets Up The Supergirl Movie

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Contains spoilers for “Superman” and potential spoilers for 2026’s “Supergirl”

The first movie in the newly formed DC Universe is titled “Superman.” This film sets the stage for future stories and introduces a world that’s brimming with heroes, villains, and mythical creatures. Unlike Marvel’s “Iron Man” (2008), which introduced the concept of a superhero team-up at its end, “Superman” doesn’t hint at a Justice League gathering in its finale. However, the closing scenes do provide a sneak peek into what we expect will be an extraordinary movie, “Supergirl,” scheduled for release in 2026.

At his Fortress of Solitude, Superman (David Corenswet) is alone when all of a sudden, his cousin Kara Zor-El, known as Supergirl (Milly Alcock), stumbles in, evidently under the influence. She’s come looking for her dog, Krypto, who Superman has been taking care of while she was presumably socializing on planets with red suns, which are detrimental to Kryptonians since they lack the power-giving properties of yellow suns. This means that Supergirl can drink and experience intoxication on such planets without any negative effects.

James Gunn chose Milly Alcock to portray Supergirl as he aimed for a unique interpretation of the character, offering viewers something new and different. While Supergirl’s role as a party-loving drinker in “Superman” might seem unconventional, it is not intended as a last-minute edgy joke. Instead, this scene lays the groundwork for the comic book storyline that “Supergirl” will primarily follow: “Woman of Tomorrow.

Supergirl will adapt the limited series Woman of Tomorrow

James Gunn has acknowledged that comic book writer Tom King significantly influenced the DC Universe, and this is evident in the second film within the franchise. The upcoming movie titled “Supergirl” is set for release on June 26, 2026, and it takes inspiration from an eight-issue limited series entitled “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” penned by King and illustrated by Bilquis Evely. Initially, the film was to be named “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” but it was eventually shortened to simply “Supergirl.” Regardless of the title adjustment, the narrative will still heavily borrow from the comic. However, let’s discuss what unfolds in “Woman of Tomorrow” precisely?

On a planet with a red sun, Supergirl, who’s been indulging in some heavy drinking, runs into Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley in the upcoming “Supergirl” series. Ruthye pleads with Kara to help find her father’s murderer, Krem of the Yellow Hills, portrayed by Matthias Schoenaerts. Initially unwilling to involve herself in this conflict, Kara changes her mind when Krem attacks both her and Krypto, who have been weakened under the red sun. As a result, she decides to join Ruthye on her quest for vengeance, simultaneously delving into her own past wounds. Unlike Kal-El, Kara has memories of Krypton before being exiled, and her drinking is a means of dealing with these traumatic recollections. While she may seem like a partygoer in the finale of James Gunn’s “Superman,” her alcohol consumption will be further examined in her own movie.

The character “Superman” sets the stage for how this narrative starts off. Yet, similar to many superhero films, “Supergirl” is likely to diverge from its original source. For example, Jason Momoa has been cast as Lobo in the movie though he doesn’t appear in the comics. Interestingly, David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham have been chosen to portray Supergirl’s parents, Zor-El and Alura In-Ze respectively, in this adaptation.

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2025-07-12 03:30