Supergirl Director Dives In Blind, Trusts Screenwriter’s Vision

When Craig Gillespie signed on to direct Supergirl, he hadn’t cracked open a single page of the “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” comic. Instead, he put his faith in screenwriter Ana Nougeira to set the tone and direction for the project. The film, which was first announced in 2023, was initially pitched as a direct adaptation of Tom King and Biliqus Evely’s 2022 miniseries. At one stage, it even carried the same subtitle as the comic, before the title was trimmed down.

Screenwriter Sets the Scene

Gillespie, best known for his work on I, Tonya, didn’t let his lack of background knowledge hold him back.

He revealed he hadn’t read the source material before coming on board, choosing instead to let Nougeira’s script shape his understanding of the character and her world.

Nougeira, who’s also been tapped to write scripts for upcoming DCU projects like Wonder Woman and Teen Titans, was already deep into the process when Gillespie joined the team in April 2024.

Adapting Without Preconceptions

James Gunn, who announced the film as part of a new wave of DC projects, had made it clear early on that the story would draw heavily from the “Woman of Tomorrow” comic. Despite this, Gillespie’s approach was to come in with a clean slate, relying on the script to introduce him to the universe and its characters. This method allowed him to focus on the story at hand, rather than being influenced by previous interpretations or fan expectations.

Fresh Eyes on a Classic Hero

With the film’s direction shaped by Nougeira’s writing, Gillespie’s involvement signals a new take on the iconic character. The decision to forgo the comic before reading the script suggests a willingness to break from tradition and bring a unique perspective to the much-anticipated adaptation. As the project moves forward, fans are keen to see how this fresh approach will play out on screen.