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James Gunn has officially unveiled the first poster for Supergirl, and it’s already sparking buzz for what looks to be a bold and irreverent take on the Girl of Steel. Just days after the release of Superman, Gunn is wasting no time expanding the DC Universe, giving fans a glimpse into a radically different world through Supergirl’s story. The poster features Kara Zor-El, drink in hand, leaning casually beside a wall that boldly reads, “Look Out”—a pointed contrast to Superman’s poster tagline, “Look Up.” This shift in tone sets the stage for a heroine who’s far less polished, far more chaotic, and unmistakably human.
In a conversation with ScreenRant, Gunn doubled down on the direction he’s taking with Supergirl, describing her as “a total mess.” Unlike her cousin Clark Kent, who was raised in the safe and loving arms of the Kents in Smallville, Kara’s background is far more traumatic. Gunn emphasized the emotional gap between the two: Superman, he said, is the least dysfunctional of all superheroes thanks to his idyllic upbringing. Supergirl, by contrast, endured a fractured and difficult life on Krypton before arriving on Earth. That contrast, Gunn explained, is at the heart of the film and will shape Kara’s character arc throughout her story.
As for what the movie will explore, Gunn hinted that flashbacks to Kara’s time on Krypton are a possibility, though the emphasis will be on how her rough past shaped her differently than Superman. In this story, Supergirl isn’t a symbol of hope right away—she’s a survivor, rough around the edges, emotionally guarded, and drinking alone in the Fortress of Solitude as she tries to track down her lost dog, Krypto.
The plot adds to the unexpected tone, following Supergirl as she journeys across the galaxy for her 21st birthday. During this cosmic trip, she teams up with a girl named Ruthye, and the two embark on a bloody, high-stakes quest that blurs the lines between survival, vengeance, and purpose. It’s a road trip of chaos and catharsis, with Kara confronting not only physical threats but also the emotional weight of her own origin.
The cast features House of the Dragon breakout star Milly Alcock as Supergirl, joined by Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Momoa, David Krumholtz, and Emily Beecham. With such a powerhouse lineup and Gunn’s clear vision for a messier, moodier Supergirl, this upcoming DC installment is shaping up to be a striking counterbalance to the hopeful optimism of Superman—a darker, grittier, but no less meaningful dive into the legacy of Krypton.