Supergirl’s Human Side: Gunn and Alcock on DC’s New Hero

James Gunn, the head honcho at DC Studios, and Milly Alcock, who’s set to play Supergirl, have shed some light on the direction of the much-anticipated DCU film. Unlike the polished, almost untouchable female leads we’ve seen before, this take on Kara Zor-El is all about embracing imperfections. Alcock, speaking at a press event, put it plainly:

I think that what Supergirl represents for young women, especially, is that you can be flawed. 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 Superhero Mould

Gunn chimed in, pointing out how rare it is to see a female superhero who’s a bit of a mess.

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.

It’s a refreshing change, especially when you think about how blokes like Iron Man and Star-Lord are allowed to be all over the shop, but women in capes are usually expected to have it all together.

A Reluctant Hero’s Journey

This new version of Kara isn’t exactly keen to jump into the superhero gig. If the film follows the storyline from ‘Woman of Tomorrow’, she’s dragged into a wild quest for revenge that takes her across the galaxy. Director Craig Gillespie explained,

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.

So, punters can expect a lead who’s not just battling villains, but also wrestling with her own doubts and baggage.

What’s Next for Supergirl?

With Milly Alcock leading the cast, joined by Jason Momoa, Eve Ridley, and Matthias Schoenaerts, the film is shaping up to be a proper space adventure. Set for release in June 2026, it promises a fresh spin on the superhero genre, focusing on a character who’s as complicated as she is powerful. For anyone tired of the same old perfect heroes, this one might be worth a look.