How Supergirl Expands The DC Universe On A Cosmic Scale With Its Most Complex Character Yet

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Kara Zor-El is preparing to take flight and reveal a whole new side of the DC Universe.

Milly Alcock will officially join the DC Universe as Supergirl, following a quick cameo in James Gunn’s Superman movie last year. The upcoming film, directed by Craig Gillespie, will be the first live-action Supergirl movie to explore outer space, featuring new planets, alien species, and characters like Jason Momoa as Lobo and Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills.

Creating this part of the DC Universe for the first time is a huge undertaking, and director James Gillespie understands the weight of that responsibility. He told ScreenRant at CCXP Mexico that it felt “both exhilarating and overwhelming” to be building this new corner of the DCU. He began by thoroughly researching the comic books, using them as a foundation while also allowing for creative freedom.

Creating these new worlds wasn’t simple. Gillespie explained, “With so many images to sort through, the best ideas eventually emerged.” He also emphasized that each planet’s unique history was key. “The planet’s backstory and the lives of its inhabitants heavily influenced everything from their clothing and behavior to the overall condition of the world.”

The new DC Universe features a particularly complex character. When actress Melissa Benoist’s Kara Zor-El appears in Superman, she’s struggling to find her place, unlike her cousin Kal-El, who has comfortably settled into his life as Clark Kent. Kara is still grappling with immense loss, having lost her family and everything she held dear, and writer Nichelle Gillespie was immediately drawn to this internal conflict.

The director, known for creating complex and flawed female characters in films like I, Tonya and Cruella, was instantly captivated by the character of Kara in the Supergirl script, written by Ana Nogueira. He explains that Kara is immediately presented as a complicated and flawed individual, carrying a lot of past trauma – a stark contrast to Superman’s story.

He actually found the character’s complexity thrilling. He loved the idea of developing a character with both humor and heartfelt emotion, and doing so without holding back. He was hooked from the very beginning – after reading just two scenes, he knew he wanted the role.

As the release of the new DCU film approaches in just two months, both Gillespie and Alcock are eager for audiences to finally meet Kara. In Supergirl, Kara embarks on a perilous adventure across the universe when her dog, Krypto, is poisoned. During her journey, she’ll be joined by characters like Lobo and Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley, who is seeking revenge for her father’s death.

“It’s been a real journey,” Gillespie shared. “It took a lot of hard work from many people, and I’m thrilled with the final result. I’m excited for everyone to meet Milly.”

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2026-04-27 05:37