I’ve got to be honest. I saw Supergirl last week, and I’ve nearly forgotten that I sat in a theater for almost two hours viewing it. That’s not the kind of impression I wanted the newest DC movies to leave me with, and I’m not surprised by the movie’s big box office drop this past weekend. Especially because it’s yet another comic book flick for the girlies, and another example of big studios not giving female superheroes the same kind of fanfare as their male superhero counterparts. Let’s talk about it.

I Have A Theory About What Makes Superhero Movies Good... Supergirl Didn’t Pass

Now, I didn’t think Supergirl was as bad as some critics did. I thought Milly Alcock was awesome as Kara, and I liked getting to know her and going on the adventure she has in this movie. It’s a three out of five – right down the middle for me. What I didn’t like was the villain and a lot of the script decisions. And, I have a theory about what makes a superhero movie good: a superhero is only as good as its villain. Seriously, think about it and tell me it's not true! I think the only time where this hasn't been the case is the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, and those guys fit more into the anti-hero archetype.

Supergirl had a very one-dimensional villain in the form of Krem of the Yellow Hills. Sure, he was in the Woman of Tomorrow comic book the movie adapts, but I’d argue the filmmakers could have had a lot more fun and creativity when bringing the pirate assassin to the big screen. I found Krem to be very boring, and in turn so was the movie itself at times. The disappointment I feel regarding Supergirl I feel is sadly a familiar feeling in the genre, especially in movies starring women.

Why Supergirl’s Weak Villain Really Bothers Me

Sadly, we’re in a time when there've been hundreds of big-budget superhero movies and only a few have been led by women. Like, what's up with that? And I don’t think a single one has had a well-written villain. Let’s do a little role call: Wonder Woman, Black Widow, Captain Marvel, Birds of Prey… are we still talking about any of the big bads in these movies? I’m certainly not.

To me, it feels like there’s an undercurrent of “Wait, let’s not give the female-led superhero movie a good villain and save them for the other superhero movies people care about” stench to it. Supergirl is just as cool as Superman is, and yet she was given the villain no one has ever heard of?

I really hope that the next time a women-led superhero movie is greenlit, one of these studios takes a chance on a truly great villain to put head-to-head with our protagonist because I need this trend to stop... like now and prove my point wrong.

Thankfully, Milly Alcock has another chance to really shine (and possibly punch Lex Luthor) in Man of Tomorrow alongside Superman; I just think Supergirl deserved a much better opponent in her own movie.

Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock, hit theaters last weekend as the latest superhero movie on the 2026 movie schedule, and with it, we’re officially multiple films into the somewhat newly revamped DC Universe, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Maybe predictably, a lot of people don’t like the movie and are already calling for Gunn’s firing…or something. To be honest, sometimes I just don’t get the complaints. The movie has underperformed at the box office, but I don’t think that means it's time to scrap the whole project, and you need look no further than the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The MCU Didn’t Exactly Light The World On Fire At First, Either

Like the new DCU, the MCU kicked off with a hit. DC had Gunn’s own Superman last summer, and Marvel had 2008’s Iron Man. The next Marvel release, The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton, dropped a month later in June 2008. Marvel was on a high, and still, Hulk disappointed at the box office, much like it appears Supergirl will. Two years later, in May 2010, Iron Man 2 came out, and while it did fine at the box office, it’s usually one of the lower-rated MCU films.

It really wasn’t until the first Avengers movie was released in 2012 (taking in more than $1.5 billion) that the MCU really started flying high. Sure, all the movies released before that, including Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, did decent, but they weren’t the juggernauts that MCU films would be throughout the rest of the decade. After 2012, and especially in the Avengers movies, the MCU crushed all competition, including, and especially, the sputtering DCEU.

There Are Other Factors Involved

This isn’t a perfect analogy, of course. In 2012, the world was gaga for superhero movies, but 14 years and about a million movies later, some people are understandably burnt out on the genre. Superhero movie fatigue is real, and I think that’s at play here. The reaction to Supergirl has been way harsher than it deserves. It’s not a perfect movie, I grant you. The villain is pretty ho-hum, and it is a little jarring, tone-wise, compared to Superman.

However, as others at CinemaBlend have said, it’s a perfectly fine movie. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, Alcock is great, and it skips along at a brisk pace (and a reasonable runtime). I thought it was funny, in the same way that Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies are. In fact, I think the whole thing bodes well for the DCU, which is clearly going for something very different than the MCU (at least, as different as you can be in the same genre). Up next is a straight body-horror movie with Clayface, which will be out in October, before we get the sequel to Superman, Man of Tomorrow, on the 2027 movie schedule.

I think after next summer we’ll have a much better idea just where the DCU stands and what kind of future it has. Calling for a shakeup now is impatient.

The DCU is still in its infancy, as we're only two movie into the first slate of projects (titled Gods and Monsters). The studio's co-CEO James Gunn kicked things off with Superman, which featured a cameo from Milly Alcock's Supergirl. But the House of the Dragon actress revealed that filming that short sequence was actually way more awkward than you might have guessed. Let's break it all down.

While Supergirl recently arrived in theaters, we're still learning more about how James Gunn's Superman movie came together. During a recent video from the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Alcock was asked about filming her brief but memorable role as a drunk Kara Zor-El. She said:

While Krypto was a scene-stealer in the theatrical cut of Superman (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription), the reality of filming that sequence is another matter entirely. Namely because there was no dog, and instead Alcock was filming alongside a full grown woman. Oh, the glamor of moviemaking!

Fans who have been watching the DC movies in order were introduced to a very drunk Kara, who got her time to shine in Craig Gillespie's Supergirl movie. Later in the same interview, Milly Alcock got real about how "embarrassing" it is to be an actor... including when you're performing opposite a human pretending to be a dog. In her words:

Oh, to be a fly on the wall as the 26 year-old actress filmed that scene from Superman. Ultimately, I felt the brief sequence was a successful introduction, and showed the juxtaposition between Kara and her hopeful cousin Kal-El. So any embarrassing or cringe-worthy moments were worth it in the end.

Superman can be re-watched on HBO Max, and Supergirl is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release schedule. Luckily for fans of Alcock's character, she'll be back with a role in Man of Tomorrow. Hopefully filming that movie isn't quite as embarrassing.

The new Supergirl has already flown straight into the usual new superhero movie storm. There is box office chatter, franchise second-guessing and plenty of online debate about whether the 2026 calendar release’s take on Kara Zor-El works. Some fans are picking the movie apart, and after a $37 million domestic opening, even DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran has acknowledged the film did not open where the studio hoped. But Helen Slater knows a little something about what happens when a Supergirl movie does not land the way everyone wanted and she has some thoughts about the newest DC movie release.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress who played Kara in the 1984 Supergirl offered a much warmer response to Alcock’s version than some of the online pile-on:

That is a pretty lovely vote of confidence from someone who has actually been in the suit. The original big-screen Kara Zor-El was only 18 when she landed the role for the original 1984 movie, which served as her acting debut. She told the outlet she trained for roughly four months before filming, gaining 15 pounds of muscle through trampolining, fencing, horseback riding and other physical work.

Slater’s experience also gives her perspective on the harsher side of this conversation. Her Supergirl was planned as the start of a three-film run, but the 1984 movie made just $14 million domestically and the sequels never happened. She says she knew the movie had not done well because they did not make the second and third films, though she stayed busy afterward with other projects.

That context makes her support of Alcock feel even more generous. The Legend of Billie Jean actress is not looking at the new Supergirl from some untouchable throne of franchise perfection. She knows what it is like to be attached to a version of Kara that becomes part of a bigger industry conversation, including the uncomfortable one about money.

Slater later appeared in Smallville, played Eliza Danvers on the CW’s Supergirl series opposite Melissa Benoist, and returned in a now-infamous de-aged form for 2023’s The Flash alongside Christopher Reeve’s Superman. Her connection to Kara is not frozen in 1984. It has kept evolving with DC’s various screen eras, sometimes in ways nobody could have predicted.

That may explain why Slater sounds so open to Alcock’s version. She earned a doctorate in mythological studies and depth psychology and describes her studies as helping her appreciate how mythic characters are retold over time. In her view, these stories should change because that is what keeps them alive.

That is a pretty interesting way to think of the Kryptonian character. Kara cannot just be one thing forever. We had Slater’s version, Benoist’s version, Sasha Calle’s version and Alcock’s version, and they all reflect different moments in superhero storytelling. Fans can have favorites, and criticism is fair, but treating every new interpretation like an attack on the last one makes the whole thing feel smaller than it needs to be.

Alcock’s Supergirl may be facing a rougher landing than DC wanted, but the OG Supergirl performer’s response cuts through some of the noise in a welcome way. The original big-screen Kara saw the new one, and she liked what she saw. Anyone who wants to make up their own mind can still catch Supergirl in theaters, so check your local listings for showtimes.

What is going on right now? Seriously, what is going on? I can’t navigate my browser anywhere on the Internet without stumbling into five takes about how Supergirl is hot trash in a cape. The weird thing, though, is that I’ve seen Supergirl, and it’s not hot trash in a cape. It’s just the latest mediocre superhero movie in a long line of mostly mediocre superhero movies that we’ve gotten in the last five years. So, why are we all acting like this one is uniquely problematic and offensive?

I saw Supergirl like two weeks ago at a screening in St Louis that was filled with like ninety percent randoms and ten percent press. I had a pretty good time. My wife had a pretty good time. A co-worker I went with and his buddy both had pretty good times. All of us thought it was a nice enough way to spend (less than) a couple hours.

I didn’t have individual conversations with everyone else in the crowd, but their general reactions seemed to match our feelings too. Everyone seemed to stay engaged. They laughed moderately at most of the jokes, leaned forward in their seats at the appropriate times and the bits of conversations I picked up leaving the theater were all blandly positive. It was like we all collectively gave it a weak thumbs up.

On my way home (before I started driving), I texted my buddy who is a big superhero fan. This is the exact copy of the message I sent him…

I assumed most reviews would fall somewhere in the 2.5-3.5 out of 5 range, and I was right. If you look on Rotten Tomatoes, the majority of them are mixed bag positives, but to my surprise, there’s a solid minority that are extremely, almost aggressively mean. That negativity (even from some huge outlets) is also mirrored on social media, where thousands of angry posts are accusing Supergirl of being some kind of embarrassing disaster. I’ve seen quite a few going a step further and saying DC needs to examine whether its entire new James Gunn franchise is even working because of how bad this movie allegedly is.

Wait, what? Maybe this is the moment where people just collectively decided they were sick of watching run-of-the-mill superhero movies, and Supergirl was the unlucky victim of that pent-up anger? Maybe fans and critics are willing to be a lot meaner and say things they wouldn’t normally say because it’s about a female superhero? Maybe DC fans have higher expectations than Marvel fans? Maybe some of the people commenting haven’t actually seen the movie and are just riled up about comments people involved made on the press tour?

I don’t know what’s going on. I’m not going to try and get in the heads of other people, but I will say that everyone I know who has seen the movie in real life, that didn’t go in with an obvious agenda, thought it was fine enough.

Fine enough as in a mixed bag. Alcock and Momoa are both quite good. Her dynamic with Superman works well, and there are a lot of fun individual scenes that keep the momentum up. That being said, there are also clearly some problems here. Most of the characters are a little one-note. The villain is weak. The soundtrack makes some odd choices. The stuff about Supergirl's backstory doesn't hit as hard as it should because not enough time is spent on Krypton.

It's definitely not The Dark Knight or even Avengers 1. It's a lot closer to something like Ant-Man And The Wasp, but instead of people talking about it like it's Ant-Man And The Wasp, they're talking about it like it's Superman IV or Ghost Rider II. It's not. Don't listen to the people telling you it is. The truth is Supergirl is fine enough. It's the latest mediocre superhero movie in a long line of mostly mediocre superhero movies, and while that's not ideal, it's better than what you've been hearing.

The last weekend of June was supposed to be a huge one for the DCU, with Milly Alcock’s Supergirl taking flight in theaters, bolstered by the cigar-puffing chaos of Jason Momoa’s Lobo. Unfortunately for all involved, the Maiden of Might took a whooping at the box office, with Toy Story 5 winning out by a wide margin and maintaining Buzz and Jessie’s #1 spot from the previous week. Surprisingly enough, James Gunn’s DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran has already spoken out about the lackluster results.

Following weeks of drooping ticket-sale projections, Supergirl’s first weekend of release brought in $38 million domestically, as well as an additional $30 million from around the globe. That $68 million total is obviously nowhere near the film’s reported $175 million budget, and it would take Obsession-levels of word-of-mouth recommendations for the superhero flick to save face in follow-up weeks.

Peter Safran didn’t exactly sugarcoat the financial details when addressing the situation in a statement shared with the New York Times, but he also didn’t pull all of his hair out due to stress. As he put it:

I do think it's meaningful that Peter Safran acknowleged the studio execs' expectations being defied by low audience turnout, and that he didn't try to spin it as a net positive or anything. Gloating is obviously out of the question, but in 2026, I would much rather hear a plain-Jane, down-the-middle reaction than anything skewing hyperbolic in either direction.

To that end, I also appreciate the fully expected confidence that Supergirl's box office isn't going to implode DC Studios, and that the future is still looking bright. (Or at least the horizon is, if not the point in the deeper future after Paramount takes over Warner Bros.) The phrase "sophomore slump" wasn't invented with this movie, and it won't be the last Hollywood franchise release to get tagged with it.

The Pressure Is Now On Clayface, But It's Not Nearly As Much Pressure

Peter Safran mentioned DC Studios' "broader, long-term strategy," but I think even he would agree that the DCU's long-term success requires the number of profitable releases to be higher than the number of non-profitable releases. (Which isn't to say Supergirl can't still make some kind of a profit someday.) So now all eyes are on the nearest upcoming DCU movie, the even more outside-the-box Clayface.

Being an R-rated body horror is automatically working against Clayface, at least in terms of four-quadrant box-office potential. (As a horror nut, I'm drooling out of my faceholes for it.) Having a lesser-known lead like Tom Rhys Harries puts a cap on the reach this might have. Howeverrr...

Going the horror route without A-list stars means director James Watkins could make Clayface for a reported budget of around $40 million, far less than what those Kryptonians' movies cost, and theoretically far easier to make back during and after its October debut. So there are definitely reasons to feel good about this movie's chances regardless of what Supergirl did.

For what it's worth, I'd give Supergirl a soft 3/5 stars. I really enjoyed the characters and world-building, and think the ending was a great way to set up Kara in Man of Tomorrow. (Krem is a zany lunatic.) On the flip side, I wasn't nearly as into a lot of the direction and story beats, so it's more of an up-and-down experience than straightforward enjoyment.

“What are your biggest fears?” is already a heavy question, but it hits a little differently when it is being asked of someone leading a massive new DC movie. Milly Alcock was heading into Supergirl with the cape and the pressure of fan expectations that come with being one of the first major faces of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU. Before the box-office conversation around the film got thornier, she was already talking openly about the fear that comes with being rejected on such a large-scale franchise.

Ahead of Supergirl’s 2026 movie schedule release, Alcock spoke to Variety and discussed everything from auditioning for the role to tuning out toxic fan chatter. The interview was conducted in mid-April, before either the actress or the interviewer had seen the finished film, which makes her comments about fear especially interesting now, given the film's less-than-stellar opening-weekend box-office projections. When asked about her biggest fears, she said:

Honestly, that's a pretty human answer. It's also one that sounds much more grounded than the usual “I just hope people connect with it” press-tour answer. Alcock knew the movie could stumble, fans could reject it and that the internet could decide she was the problem, because it loves finding one face to pin a giant studio machine onto. And, unfortunately, that appears to be sort of playing out in real time.

That's part of what makes this interview and the current situation surrounding the film so interesting. When early reactions to Supergirl arrived, there were already strong opinions about Alcock and Jason Momoa as Lobo. A lot of those reactions specifically praised the woman stepping into the role of the Girl of Steel, even when people were split on the film, she was highlighted as a positive standout. But once a new superhero movie starts underperforming, nuance tends to be the first thing tossed out of the airlock. The Sirens actress seemed aware of that even before the movie opened. She continued:

That tracks with what she has said elsewhere about the role. The Upright performer has talked about Kara being kind of a mess in the DCU, and not every fan clicked with her drunken cameo in Superman. But Alcock has also made it clear that she sees Kara as someone wrestling with pain, not floating around as some perfect superhero symbol. She has been candid about how intimidating the whole thing felt, too, which makes her comments about being terrified after landing the role feel even more relevant now that the film is underperforming and being compared to some of Marvel's less-than-great outings like The Marvels.

The hardest part is that the House of the Dragon breakout star is right about how little control actors have once a movie leaves their hands. She put it plainly:

That is worth remembering as Supergirl’s disappointing box-office results start to turn into an online blame cycle. Alcock showed up, gave the role everything she had and tried to make Kara feel real. But she cannot control the editing, the marketing or how audiences respond once the movie is out in the world.

As for how Supergirl is landing, the movie’s opening weekend has been softer than DC likely hoped, though the audience reaction appears to be warmer than the critical one. As of this writing, the film sits at 56% on Rotten Tomatoes from 275 critic reviews, while its Popcornmeter score is at 77% from more than 2,500 verified audience ratings. So, while the box office conversation may be rough, the people who have actually bought tickets seem more divided than outright dismissive.

Anyone curious about the particular new take on Kara can still judge the movie for themselves. Supergirl is playing in theaters now, so fans who want to see how they feel about DC’s latest big-screen swing can grab a ticket, a Lobo popcorn bucket and make up their own minds.

If there is one word I would use to describe Supergirl, it’s “fun.” The film, which hits the 2026 movie schedule this weekend, has a very James Gunn vibe. It’s not directed by Gunn or written by him; those credits go to Craig Gillespie and Ana Nogueira, respectively. Still, Supergirl feels more like Guardians of the Galaxy than anything in the pre-Gunn era of the (formerly) DCEU, and not just because of the brisk runtime. Gillespie and Nogueira definitely put their imprint on it, but the new DC Universe already feels more cohesive than anything DC has done before, outside of The Dark Knight Trilogy.

That Humor And Those Needle Drops

To be sure, Supergirl has some very poignant moments (though some people seem to disagree with that) and doesn’t shy away from some pretty heavy themes playing out with Milly Alcock’s Supergirl/Kara Zor-El. However, it’s also filled with great jokes and funny moments. In that respect, it feels very much in the style of Guardians or Peacemaker (the first DC show created by Gunn). Some of the humor is raunchy, and the language is definitely PG-13. I loved all of that. It made the emotional moments more powerful and kept the movie chugging along at a great pace.

Then there are the needle drops. One reason I really love Gunn’s work on comic book movies is how great he is at picking songs. Bringing back a somewhat overlooked track from a quarter century ago in Superman with “Punkrocker” by Teddybears, featuring Iggy Pop, was brilliant. While Supergirl doesn’t really reach that deep into the annals of pop culture, adding some bangers by great current artists like Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, and Halsey feels perfect.

Where Will The Future Projects Fall?

One of the things the MCU really got right when it was firing on all cylinders was keeping a cohesive vibe, no matter who was directing or writing whichever movie was coming out. The DCEU was all over the place in that respect. Gunn, Gillespie, and Nogueira seem to have made a conscious effort to focus on this in the new DCU. The sum of the parts should add up to something. How this will work going forward will be fascinating to see.

Up next for DC television shows is Lanterns, which will hit the 2026 TV schedule in August, and the next DC film to be released will be the body horror Clayface in October. Lanterns is being described as having a detective show vibe, while obviously a horror movie like Clayface is unlikely ot have many lighter moments, but I can’t wait to see how they fit in here. The 2027 movie schedule includes Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to Superman, written and directed by Gunn, so I do expect that to bring the same energy as these first two movies.

All in all, I can’t wait to see this universe continue to expand and evolve, and I’m trusting the hand of Gunn more and more.

Major spoilers below for the newest DCU movie Supergirl, so limit your super-senses if you haven’t yet watched.

Anyone who thought Supergirl would be one of those 2026 movie releases that sparks absolutely zero backlashes and gripe-filled tirades, the past week or two much have felt like pure hell. Reviews for the comic book adaptation have seemingly skewed far more negative than positive, with gobs of DCU skeptics quick to rain down the hate. I had a pretty good time overall, and enjoyed the characters more than the story, with my own biggest issues stemming from the myriad changes made in adapting Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s A+ comic miniseries.

Not all the alterations felt like kryptonite suns, to be sure, and I actually think the vastly different ending that caps the live-action version was the best move possible for Milly Alcock’s Supergirl future. But I’ll get to that after talking out some of the other changes.

I Was Surprised And Disappointed By Supergirl Skipping Over So Much Of Tom King's Storytelling

I'm a diehard fan of Tom King's writing most of the time, and while I understand that Supergirl's mass-market appeal meant we wouldn't get Ruthye's lofty and veering narration throughout the movie, I was gobsmacked by how many other elements from the source material were apparently absent from Ana Noguiera's screenplay. Though in retrospect, it's indubitably obvious why Woman of Tomorrow was removed as the film's subtitle.

To be sure, the basic idea of Ruthye's tagging along with Supergirl on a revenge mission to take down the murderous Krem is intact, as are some other elements like the green sun taking Supergirl out of commission during a pivotal time for Ruthye. But a lot of the poignant time-jaunts and side-stories that make King's narratives so rich on the page were replaced with more generic FX-driven battle sequences. Understandable, I guesssss. But not ideal.

Beyond the ending, the other obvious "change is good" exception is Jason Momoa's expertly visualized Lobo, who steals every scene he's in just by being a sneering mountain of enging-revving chaos. Ah, but this is still only a half-exception, since King's original idea for the comic's arc did include the immortal Czarnian. (I also really liked Matthias Schoenaerts' bonkers performance as Krem in a vacuum, but don't think it tops the comic's villain.)

I Think Changing Supergirl's Ending Was Absolutely Necessary For The Future Of The DCU

The final issue of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow starts of seemingly like it would be perfect fodder for live-action, then makes a leap that just doesn't happen in mainstream movies. (Spoilers for that ending for anyone who wants to avoid them.) Here's the heavily summarized version.

Ruthye has the smack-talking Krem captured as her hostage, and then lets him go for a one-on-one fight where she emerges victorious, but she's unable to bring herself to kill him. Supergirl then returns, and has a heartfelt talk with Ruthye that also quells her own urges to kill Krem. In a distant-future epilogue, Krem is released from the Phantom Zone as a repentant and haggard shadow of his former self, begging an elderly Ruthye for forgiveness. Her response is merely to thwack him with a cane and leave him to dwell in his shame and regrets.

A brilliant and meaningful coda that works without question in the comic book medium, but is so not Hollywood. Plus, that flash-forward was the perfect end for King and Evely's story, and without the impetus to set seeds for the future. Not the case for Supergirl, which needed to build up Alcock's return in Man of Tomorrow. So it was smart to change things for with an in-the-moment ending for the film.

More importantly, I love that Kara takes the moral high ground by stopping Ruthye from staining her conscience with Krem's murder, and then doesn't need to be pushed very hard into killing Krem herself. That cold-blooded act truly puts Supergirl into another category from her Kryptonian cousin (and presumably the DCU's eventual Batman), and justifies the "anti-hero" description that has been used by Gunn & Co. to describe her.

The fact that Lobo is so approving is a good sign that Kara's malicious actions would go over horribly with other protagonists. Which is a very smart building block (theoretically) to set up going into Man of Tomorrow, which will have Superman quasi-teaming up with Lex Luthor to stop Brainiac from destroying everything. Kara obviously leans closer to Clark than Lex on the moral scale, but the fact that she exists in the space between them will no doubt make them a joyful trifecta when the Gunn-directed film drops.

I already can't wait to watch Kara get sh-tfaced with Jason Todd and talk crap about their respective hero mates while sharing war stories. Even if that only ends up happening in my anonymous fan-fic. I mean, in someone's anonymous fan-fic.

Supergirl is currently in theaters, and all kinds of comic books written by Tom King are currently in stores and libraries and on your smart friends' shelves. Read 'em.

I went to see Supergirl earlier this week, and contrary to what you may have heard from some haters, it’s a fun ride. It’s not exactly The Dark Knight or even Iron Man 1, but it’s a nice time at the movies. It’s got some enjoyable action sequences, a lot of laughs, good performances from likeable co-stars Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa in particular, and most importantly for this article, a breezy little runtime of one hour and forty-seven minutes.

To be clear, I’m not here to advocate that one hour and forty-seven minutes is a scientifically proven perfect runtime for every movie. It’s not. It’s not even the perfect runtime for every superhero movie. What I am here to zealously advocate for, however, is a movie being the right length for its tone, subject matter and the story it’s trying to tell. That’s not something every so-called event film gets, and it’s something DC, in particular, has often struggled with.

The History Of DC Runtimes

Here are the runtimes for every major, non-animated DC release since Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy concluded. Supergirl (1 hour, 47 minutes), Superman (2 hours, 9 minutes), Joker 2 (2 hours, 18 minutes), Aquaman 2 (2 hours, 4 minutes), Blue Beetle (2 hours, 7 minutes), The Flash (2 hours, 24 minutes), Shazam 2 (2 hours, 10 minutes), Black Adam (2 hours, 5 minutes), The Batman (2 hours, 56 minutes), The Suicide Squad (2 hours, 12 minutes), The Snyder Cut (4 hours, 2 minutes), Wonder Woman 1984 (2 hours, 31 minutes), Birds Of Prey (1 hour, 49 minutes), Joker 1 (2 hours, 2 minutes), Shazam 1 (2 hours, 12 minutes) Aquaman 1 (2 hours, 23 minutes), Justice League (2 hours), Wonder Woman (2 hours, 21 minutes), the other Suicide Squad (2 hours, 3 minutes), Batman V Superman (2 hours, 31 minutes) and Man Of Steel (2 hours, 23 minutes).

There are definitely some bangers on the above list. Joker 1 is obviously great. The Batman, Wonder Woman 1 and several others are also strong movies. Quite a few more are pretty solid, but so many others are flat out just not that enjoyable to watch because they drag and get boring. Wonder Woman 1984 has a fun little throwback vibe for a little while, but it does not even come close to sustaining that over more than two and a half hours. I swear Man Of Steel features like ten or fifteen entire minutes of characters being thrown into different buildings. At least a half dozen of these movies are a slog to get through, but they may have been a lot more enjoyable if they cut 20 or 30 minutes out.

It’s wild that only two of the movies on the above list are under two hours. I’m definitely not arguing that Supergirl and Birds Of Prey are the best two films on the list. Birds Of Prey has some issues, and Supergirl is definitely not as good as at least the first three titles I mentioned. That being said, they’re more enjoyable than a lot of the stuff on the list because they get in and they get out. They don’t need more time to stretch out the story; so, they leave the extra bits on the cutting room floor. They were edited with a sense of pace and purpose in mind.

A Movie Should Be As Long As It Needs To Be

Maybe it’s because movie tickets have gotten really expensive. Maybe it’s because there’s more to watch at home via streaming services than ever before. Maybe it’s because our expectations have just collectively changed. Whatever the reason, there’s this prevailing idea right now that only certain movies are worth seeing in theaters, and if we actually go see those in theaters, we better get enough value for our money. The thing is, though, the value that’s most important to everyone is the movie being good or at least fun to watch.

And the thing about good movies is that there’s no inherent correct runtime. Each individual movie should be as long as the movie needs to be, which is sometimes under ninety minutes and sometimes three hours. That might sound stupidly obvious, but a lot of so-called event films, and especially superhero films, get stuck on this idea that they need to be long so they’ll feel epic and important. But not every superhero movie necessarily needs to feel epic. Some of them need to be honest that the stakes just aren’t that high.

For every assemble-the-team-style narrative like in Avengers 1 or creatively artsy and well-made prestige piece like Batman Begins, there are a half dozen that just want to provide a nice escape. They’re just trying to tell a relatively basic story, hit us with a couple of big action moments, offer a few laughs and send us on our way. Those movies in particular need to have a runtime that’s proportional to their momentum. If they can maintain the energy, excitement and laughs for two hours, then they should be two hours. If they start running out of steam after an hour and a half, then they should trim the fat.

I’ve probably been to the movies close to a thousand times in my life, and I’ve never watched a bad movie and thought, well, at least it was really long, so I got my money’s worth. Has anyone ever thought that in the history of going to the movies? The point of watching a movie is to be entertained, and everyone on Earth and Krypton would rather watch good content for an hour and forty-five minutes than bad content for two and a half hours. Shoutout to Supergirl for remembering that.

Summer is the time for blockbusters, and nothing says popcorn flick quite like superheroes. The DCU’s second feature Supergirl is set to hit the 2026 movie calendar this weekend. First reactions to Supergirl praised Milly Alcock as the titular character, but now that reviews are out, the general consensus has been different. In fact, one critic has gone viral after completely lambasting the film.

So what's happening? And what are reviews saying?

One Critic’s Reaction To ‘Numbingly Flat’ Supergirl Causes Backlash

Supergirl reviews have dropped, but drawing nearly as much attention as the movie is Variety critic Owen Gleiberman and his strong disdain for the movie. And I mean strong. In his review, he calls the upcoming DC movie “super-horrendous,” saying it has the “worst script I can remember.” In his words:

He goes on to say he’s shocked that director Craig Gillespie was even capable of making something so “generic in its action and its attitudinizing.”

The backlash against the critic came quickly, particularly for one of Owen Gleiberman’s paragraphs that discussed Milly Alcock’s appearance, and people fired back on X (Twitter), writing:

• idk what movie you watched but I hope you get that hug you so desperately need. – hopsgeeknews
• Its fine not liking a movie but some of those digs seem pretty unprofessional like damn – TweetsByDM
• Criticising a woman’s look is your movie review? Fucking pathetic – EverythingDCU_

Not all of the comments aimed at the critic were so nice (or appropriate for repetition). One common refrain is that while it’s OK — and typical — for critics to disagree about a movie, Owen Gleiberman’s assessment is way harsher than those of his counterparts.

What Other Reviews Say About Supergirl

The majority of Supergirl reviews seem to fall kind of in the middle — not mind-blowingly great but not a disaster, either — like the low-stakes fun you often expect from a summer movie. CinemaBlend’s own Mack Rawden and Jessica Rawden had a pleasant experience at their screening, writing:

• Mack: Just a nice, fun crowd pleaser that pretty much anyone can enjoy. Really liked Milly, as well as the humor.
• Jessica: What Mack said, plus the runtime is so tight, which I personally appreciated. No bloat. I laughed out loud at Momoa’s lines in particular many times. It’s the perfect summer movie.

Other reviews seemed to fall more in line with these thoughts, as Tim Grierson of Screen International writes in his review:

Zaki Hasan of the San Francisco Chronicle also has an overall positive takeaway from an admittedly imperfect movie:

Amelia Emberwing at The Wrap also calls out Supergirl’s “muddled” action and says Jason Momoa was wholly unnecessary in this movie. Despite its faults, however, the heart of the movie remains intact throughout. Her review reads:

Last year's Superman was, indeed, more well-received than its followup, earning a Certified Fresh 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to 57% for Milly Alcock’s flick. Just like the score, most of the reviews are in that middle range — and Supergirl’s box office projections aren’t A+ — but it’s clear that many don’t believe it’s bad enough to warrant such overly negative feedback.

Supergirl hits theaters Friday, June 26, so be sure to grab yourself a ticket so you can form your own opinion.

With the DCEU behind us, moviegoers are invested in upcoming DC movies, which will expand co-CEO James Gunn's newly formed shared universe. The first slate of projects is called Gods and Monsters, with James Gunn's Superman being the debut movie. That blockbuster introduced David Corenswet's title character, and also featured a cameo by Milly Alcock's Supergirl. And it turns out that the Hollywood actor offered his onscreen cousin some advice about flying around on wires.

It's still early into the DCU, with Craig Gillespie's Supergirl being the second big screen adventure. Milly Alcock is stepping into the spotlight at Kara Zor-El, and during an interview with ET Corenswet revealed his first impression of the House of the Dragon star. In his words:

He's not wrong. Milly Alcock brings a ton of swagger to Kara, even during her brief appearance in Superman. The Supergirl trailer showed her drinking her way through the cosmos, and also kicking ass and taking names. But the first reactions to Supergirl also praised the actress for the heart she brought to the title character.

Later in the same interview, Corenswet revealed what advice he gave Milly Alcock about being a Kryptonian on the big screen. Rather than it being about character or fame, he spoke to her about the reality of flying on wires during long shooting days. As he told it:

While superhero actors make flying look easy, the reality of actually filming these sequences is something else entirely. The wires and harnesses needed to take flight are notoriously uncomfortable, and it turns out that it covers actors in bruises as well. This might be a testament to how tight and safe the rigs are, but it doesn't make them any less painful. Suddenly I'm very glad to be firmly on the ground.

Luckily for DC fans, the wait for Supergirl is nearly over. Fans will be able to see Milly Alcock take flight when the movie hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. David Corenswet will also appear as Kal-El, so maybe they'll be able to take to the skies together.

We’re gearing up for Supergirl on June 26. Jason Momoa’s been hitting red carpets on his motorcycle. Milly Alcock’s been bringing back the casual carpet fit. The whole thing has screamed “fun.” Which is why I was a little surprised to see box office estimates going the way of The Marvels. If you can remember back to 2023, this is not a good thing.

Here’s what’s happening. Supergirl’s tracking has been a little up and down. Box Office Pro, which spends considerable time on long range forecasting, has the movie opening at $45-$55 million domestically. However, a new report over at World of Reel estimates the movie might only make in the $40 million+ range, which is garnering it comparisons to other superhero films that were ultimately considered to be box office disappointments.

Yes, I’m talking about The Marvels, which made about $47 million opening weekend. It was a No. 1 stunner opening weekend, but it didn’t linger there. Disney ultimately stopped tracking the movie’s grosses before it had even made back its budget globally.

The Marvels’ budget was a little bloated at around $250 million. Supergirl, on the other hand, was reportedly made for around $175 million and would only need $315+ million in grosses to break even, given theaters and studios split ticket sales. Yet, if the movie only kicks off with $40 million, it will be a slog to get there.

This is a shame, because the movie is very different then The Marvels or like Morbius, another heroes-property movie with a notoriously low opening weekend. This 2026 movie release has an already-established character in Superman, but it's the new characters who really pop.

This Is Dumb, Because Supergirl Is The Perfect Summer Movie

Outside of opening weekend box office estimates, Supergirl and The Marvels have one other thing in common: much shorter runtimes. In The Marvels’ case, I thought there was more story to be told, but in Supergirl’s case, reactions seem to indicate most of what the movie does works. There have been some mixed perspectives here, but I think the average viewers’ experience will be much, much more positive than “mixed.” As I noted, Supergirl is the perfect summer movie.

There’s still a reasonable chance box office estimates could be off base, or even very off base, and people might come out to theaters in much larger droves than is currently being expected. We’ve seen that several times this year, as movies like Obsession actually saw an increase in the percentage of ticket sales in the second week of release. We’ve also seen some established properties like The Mandalorian and Grogu falter.

In short, it’s been a weird year. Supergirl falls into an odd area as both established and brand new, with an actress who broke big on House of The Dragon and does such good work she deserves to be a household name. And yet, It really needs the core audience to come out and see it; I hope they do.

Milly Alcock already has a solid level of notoriety, thanks to her work on House of the Dragon. However, the Australian actress’ public profile could soar to new heights, thanks to her 2026 movie schedule entry, Supergirl. The latest film in the DCU sees Alcock play Kara Zor-El (following her wild cameo in Superman). Alcock recently spoke about being terrified over the prospect of finding more fame after her solo superhero movie debut, and she discussed working with co-star Jason Momoa, who’s definitely no stranger to stardom.

I’d imagine that starring in a superhero-centric movie can be a double-edged sword. That’s because, while it’s likely satisfying when said film is successful, that buzz can also put additional attention on the actors involved. Stars who play comic book-birthed characters can gain particularly strong followings due to their roles (à la Robert Downey and Iron Man or Gal Gadot and Wonder Woman). Milly Alock recently spoke to SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend and, after being asked if she was ready to be “idolized,” she said this:

I can understand the trepidation, as that’s a lot of pressure for a person to handle. And that’s just taking into account the more positive aspects of being in such a position. Unfortunately, there’s also considerable toxicity that can come with fandoms and, sadly enough, many female actors, in particular, are subjected to such negativity. Still, Alcock has a great outlook on dealing with toxic fandoms, and I’d like to think she’ll be prepared for any praise that comes her way following the release of her upcoming DC movie.

Thankfully, Momoa – who plays eccentric bounty hunter Lobo in the film – has been in Alcock’s shoes. In 2018, the Hawaiian actor found “baffling” new levels of fame after starring in Aquaman, which made over $1 billion at the worldwide box office. In the years since the film hit theaters, Momoa has discussed fame and how blessed he feels to have found it later in life due to having been able to be with his kids when they were younger.

The star enjoys his work, though and, per Alcock’s comments, he was a positive force on the Supergirl set. She explained:

Momoa was enthusiastic about taking on his previous DC role, but he seems downright thrilled to be playing the “Main Man.” Getting cast as Lobo was a longtime dream for the A-lister, and he seems to be making the most of it. He’s also addressed the notion of someone else playing Aquaman at some point, and he believes anything is possible on that front. There may come a time when someone else also plays Kara at some point in the future, but I’d wager that’s a ways off since Milly Alcock’s tenure is just getting started. Here’s hoping her stint as the Girl of Steel is marked with positivity and not too much stress from being looked up to by fans.

Supergirl opens in theaters on June 26, and those eager to see it can grab tickets now. Also, check out other DCU movie and TV installments by streaming them with an HBO Max subscription.

Summer is always a big time for blockbusters, and the 2026 movie calendar is certainly giving us a little bit of everything — we’ve got Star Wars, we’ve got a new Toy Story, and both the MCU and DCU will see representation. In fact, Supergirl is just the second feature in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, making the first reactions to the upcoming superhero movie especially important to fans. So what are people saying?

Last year’s Superman gave us a glimpse of the Man of Steel’s more jaded cousin Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), but now we’re moving far beyond that drunken cameo, and those who have caught an early screening have some pretty strong opinions about both Alcock as the titular antihero and Jason Momoa as Lobo. According to Drew Massey:

One X (Twitter) user says Milly Alcock proves she’s worthy of not just leading the DCU’s second movie but of carrying the future of the franchise. There are even aspects of Supergirl than this fan liked better than David Corenswet’s Superman:

Fay Watson of GamesRadar is one of many people getting Mad Max vibes from Supergirl, and she only wishes this kind of superhero flick would been available when she was a teenager. Watson says:

Germain Lussier of Gizmodo disagrees that the upcoming DC movie is better than Superman, but he does concede that it’s the “perfect” follow-up, with stronger characters that drive the movie’s emotional stakes. In the critic’s words:

Erik Davis notes an aloofness to Milly Alcock’s Kara, which was reflected in her informal attire at the Supergirl premiere. Davis posts:

Early reactions really are heaping praise on Milly Alcock, while all signs point to Jason Momoa having a blast as Lobo. Chris Killian of ComicBook.com writes:

Junior Felix of That Hollywood Show also calls the actress “perfect” for the role, and his only complaint about Lobo is that there wasn’t enough of him. Felix writes:

Brandon Davis admittedly isn’t as high on the superhero flick as others, though Milly Alcock doesn’t seem to be the issue at hand. Davis explains:

It’s encouraging to see so many positive responses to Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa in Supergirl, and now I’m even more pumped to see what the reviews have to say when they come out next week. The movie hits theaters on Friday, June 26, so get ready to grab that Lobo popcorn bucket (if you can call it a bucket) and reserve that ticket.

TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE RIGHT TO PARTY.

Words to live by when you’re a superhero for our messy, chaotic age. “She’s unapologetic,” says Craig Gillespie, director of Supergirl, the next chapter of James Gunn’s rebooted DCU. “Her honesty and wanting to hold people to her own moral code is not necessarily in line with Superman. She has her own belief system that makes her truly independent. “These are all things we can really appreciate. In the midst of our very complicated times, to have somebody that’s holding people accountable and doing it from a very human place… She’s not asking to be in the spotlight. It’s been thrust upon her, this responsibility. She’s tried to avoid it in a way that’s very relatable. Eventually she realizes that she cannot avoid it, and she has to deal with it.”

Meet the new Maid of Might, a cynical, pleasure-seeking wild child hiding a world of trauma beneath her cape. It’s a fresh take that shakes up the traditional image of the DC icon. Originally a poster girl for wholesome Americana – even the fiery demise of her homeworld didn’t dent that indestructible smile – Kara Zor-El debuted on the comics page in 1959, introduced as the Man of Steel’s cousin, last survivor of Argo City.

She arrived on the big screen in 1984, played as a sky-soaring innocent by Helen Slater. 2023’s The Flash jettisoned the optimism to bring us Sasha Calle as a sullen, battle- hardened Kryptonian warrior. But while Calle had signed a multi-picture contract, Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran’s creative overhaul of the DCU saw Milly Alcock step into the red boots, making a charismatic cameo in the closing moments of last summer’s Superman.

Best known as the heir to the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Alcock was a given when Gillespie signed to direct. “That was a huge part of me wanting to do the movie, having that security of knowing who Supergirl is, and loving Milly as an actor. I’d seen her in House Of The Dragon and a lot of her work in Australia.

“Tonally, this dance that I love to do between the humour and the drama, I feel like it’s in an actor’s DNA. It’s like asking someone to play a tune on a piano, they either have the rhythm or they don’t, and I knew she had it. We had that kinship of being Australian together.

“This story goes to some very heavy emotional places and she can deliver that, no problem whatsoever. Also, having an actor that people aren’t familiar with was an amazing opportunity on a film of this scale. It rarely happens.”

Alcock rocks a Blondie tee in the movie, a wardrobe choice that Gillespie made to underline “this sort of rock ’n’ roll, punk attitude that she has. To be able to pull that off is not an easy feat as an actor. To have that carelessness and that coolness without trying. She manages to do it so well. It’s such a fine line, because it can get grating to an audience, where you can feel the affectations, but you truly feel like she does not care, in the best possible way.”

Some of that punk sensibility made its way into the filmmaking, too. “Just the grit of the whole thing,” Gillespie tells SFX. “The look of it, the camerawork, the lighting. It’s not what you would think of as a conventional superhero film. We sort of rebelled against that!”

Written by Ana Nogueira, currently at work on a reboot of Wonder Woman, the movie takes inspiration from Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow, the acclaimed 2021 comic book by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. Itself inspired by 1969’s John Wayne Western True Grit, the eight-issue miniseries teams Kara with Ruthye Marye Knoll, an alien girl who seeks justice after her father is slain by space pirate Krem of the Yellow Hills (Eve Ridley and Matthias Schoenaerts bring these characters to the screen).

“I got the script blind,” shares Gillespie. “I hadn’t read Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow and I deliberately didn’t pick it up before I saw the script. Two scenes in, I’m in. I’m absolutely in. There was this incredibly dark scene and then this incredibly irreverent, morally ambiguous character scene with [Kara].

“To have a superhero character – and particularly a female character – that’s so flawed and complicated, that’s what I was truly excited about. Then the gravy of it was it’s a whole galaxy that we have to create. It all happens off-planet. It’s its own story, completely isolated in a way. I’ve always wanted to do some sci-fi thing, so to have that opportunity was incredibly exciting, and then at times incredibly exhausting!”

Conceived as a cosmic “road movie”, Supergirl embraces the interstellar sprawl of DC mythology, taking in no less than nine distinct planets, Gillespie estimates – including a war-ravaged world overrun by bandits.

“I came in with around 120 pages of images of what I thought this movie should be. I started out with thousands of images and by the time I’d narrowed it down there was a narrative to it, and something that was very exciting and tactile and messy.

“I showed all of that to James, and then I asked him, ‘How much do you want me to be in your world, coming off of Superman?’ He said, ‘Not at all. I’m approaching all of these films like they’re their own graphic novels, and every graphic novel has its own illustrator and its own writer that make it distinctive, so this is your version.’ That answer, for a filmmaker, is amazing!

“I was trying to make it feel unique. I kept coming back to the story: what would be happening on this planet? What kind of disrepair would it be in? How many different alien species? Who’s in charge? What’s the hierarchy? It was a constant conversation, and that was probably the most surprising amount of bandwidth that I wasn’t expecting. Everything has to be invented and discussed. Even a menu. What language is it in? What’s the typeface?”

Supergirl’s planet-hopping leads to an encounter with another DC legend. Brawling, cigar-chewing Czarnian bounty hunter Lobo makes his big-screen debut, played by Jason Momoa – Aquaman in the pre-Gunn DCU. It’s a piece of casting so perfect you half suspect Momoa snuck back in time to inspire the character in the first place.

“He was so ready!” laughs Gillespie. “Years of waiting and wanting to get that character. He was very involved with the R&D on that, in the best way.

“For me, it was an education, going back and looking at all the Lobo comics through the decades. What are we going to narrow in on, wardrobe-wise and look-wise? I’ve got hundreds of versions of Lobo on my laptop, but we all narrowed in on a particular version: the armour, the knee-pads, the boots, all of it. Jason was involved in all of that.

“Then, when we got to the set, it was like, ‘How intimidating or foreboding is he? How much fun is he having?’ Jason gives the gamut. He was fearless in that way. It was so much fun to have that energy that came in, because it’s been a very serious mission for Kara and Ruthye. [Milly and Eve] had been shooting for two months at that point. Then to have this energy that kind of verbally attacks her, and they just go at it, and have this banter… It’s just so fun to watch.”

Did Gillespie feel any pressure bringing such a fan favourite to the screen? “Yeah, you kind of want to put the blinders on and not let that get into your head too much! He’s so beloved, Jason, and he’s so comfortable in this role that you can just feel it. From the early screenings we’ve done with audiences, he’s just so loved.”

At Supergirl’s side is superhound Krypto. A scampish scene-stealer in Superman, he proves a crucial part of the plot here as his mistress races to find the antidote to the poison that threatens his life.

“It’s Supergirl’s dog,” says Gillespie, promising a different dynamic to the one we saw in Superman. “They have such a strong bond. It’s such an intimate relationship that they have because Krypto came from Krypton. It’s the only tangible thing she has left of that life. She’s lost it all, and they’ve lived through it together, all of that pain and suffering. So he embodies so much more than just being Krypto to her. He’s a little physical touchstone. She’s maybe not as concerned as Superman, with him being well-trained! She’s a much freer spirit in that sense.”

Gillespie seems to specialize in maverick souls. From Lars And The Real Girl to I, Tonya and Cruella, he has repeatedly shown us people who exist beyond society’s expectations. Is Supergirl part of that throughline of flawed, fascinating characters?

“I feel like I keep getting attracted to outsiders,” he nods, “people that have been marginalized. Parts of them are dealing with trauma, and they’re working through that. I don’t know why I keep being attracted to that story!

“What Supergirl’s been through is quite intense. Superman grew up in a very loving, nurturing environment and was almost groomed for the role and the responsibility. She grew up in a situation where her planet is dying, she’s losing all of her loved ones and this responsibility has been thrust upon her.

She’s coming from a very different headspace. It gives us license to go to a darker place, in a way. I enjoyed being able to have that opportunity.”

Supergirl is in theaters from 25 June.

SFX magazine is available from 17 June, featuring an exclusive new interview with Milly Alcock.

Words: Nick Setchfield

Method-dressing was at an all-time high around the time Margot Robbie mainstreamed Barbiecore and Zendaya wore literal Dune armor, mimicking C-3PO on the red carpet. I feel like the color scheme for Supergirl would have made method dressing easy, but the effortless Milly Alcock and co. weren’t having that. Instead, they stepped out in *gasp* less formal wear.

Take a look at the Brazil red carpet stop for Supergirl at Museu do Amanha in Rio De Janeiro earlier this week. (Yes, the event that also yielded that Gorilla Grodd news.) Milly rocked sheer socks, a sheer top, a miniskirt and reasonable heels. It’s stunning. It also honestly looks pretty comfortable. I don’t type the word comfortable in celebrity fashion stories very often.

The thing is, the early aughts are back in, and do you know what I remember most about those years? Movie premiere red carpets were a breezy, informal affair. Stars would show up in clothing you could conceivably purchase at a store. Think Hilary Duff crashing Lindsay Lohan’s Freaky Friday premiere.

Basically, looks were still aspirational, but obtainable. Choices were way less curated and the vibes ran the gamut, and that seems to be what the entire Supergirl team on hand went for here. Check out Peter Safran, Milly, writer Ana Nogueira and Craig Gillespie.

It was a different time, and the Supergirl crew seems to want to be bringing it back. I honestly don’t hate it. I love a good method-dressing moment, don’t get me wrong, but James Gunn’s been trying to bring “fun” to the DCU for a while. It’s been a stark contrast to what Zack Snyder was trying to do with his vision. The vibe’s fun, the movie’s fun, the fashion’s fun.

Plus, we don't all need to be hiding behind dumpsters to keep voluminous dresses a secret. Yes, I'm looking at you Emily Blunt in Devil Wears Prada 2.

We’re just getting started on the Supergirl press tour, and I’d have to imagine at least one of these events will be a bit more jazzed up. I’m OK with a full length dress or two making an appearance (jury’s out on any capes), but I do kind of like how Noughties this press tour is feeling so far. Method dressing is not out in the least, but I’m digging the vibe here. It works for this movie.

Comic book projects continue to be everywhere, and over at DC we're still early into co-CEO James Gunn's new shared universe. The first slate of projects is called Gods and Monsters, and fans are looking forward to upcoming DC movies like Supergirl. Milly Alcock will take center stage as the title character, and she already knows which character she'd like to punch in the face in her next movie.

Following Alcock's cameo in Superman, she'll be the protagonist of Craig Gillespie's Supergirl. Fans are eager to see her cosmic journey with Krypto, and in a clip from ComicBook's Instagram the 26 year-old actress was asked what DC character she'd like to punch as Kara Zor-El. She responded quickly with:

Honestly, this is a solid choice. While we saw Kara's cousin and her dog bring the pain and rough Lex around in Superman, Alcock's character hasn't had the chance yet. And since he's the DCU's biggest villain so far and Nicholas Hoult is so nice, the House of the Dragon star is ready to punch him square in the face in a future DC project. I hope James Gunn is listening!

Narratively, it would make sense for Kara to throw a punch at Lex. After all, he kidnapped her dog Krypto and put him in a pocket universe. That dog her best friend, so she's likely got beef with the Superman villain.

Of course, the dynamic between Lex and the heroes of the DCU are expected to change in the sequel Man of Tomorrow. James Gunn has already teased that the movie will see Lex and Superman will have to unite against a common enemy. Namely, Brainiac. So maybe that'll make Hoult's bald villain less punchable. Maybe.

It's currently unclear when Kara Zor-El will pop up in the DCU after her starring role in Supergirl. While she's expected to be a major presence in the shared universe as a whole, James Gunn has been keeping his cards close to the chest. Will she actually stay on Earth and defend it with her cousin, or will she continue exploring other planets and self-medicating with booze? Only time will tell, but I'm hoping she gets a crossover with Lex Luthor soon.

Supergirl will hit theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. For now, fans can re-watch her Superman cameo on HBO Max while patiently waiting for the new blockbuster to arrive.

The superhero genre continues to dominate pop culture, and DC co-CEO James Gunn is bringing another upcoming DC movie to theaters with Craig Gillespie's Supergirl. Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order are hyped to see this new entry to the burgeoning shared universe, and for Milly Alcock to take center stage as Kara Zor-El. And the House of the Dragon star recently revealed an amazing connection her costume has to Christopher Reeve's Superman. Let's break it down.

After a quick cameo in James Gunn's Superman (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription), fans will get to know Kara much more in Supergirl. During an interview with Raiders of the Lost Podcast, Alcock revealed an awesome detail about her Supergirl suit. As she put it:

Well, my mind is blown. This is a truly epic way for Supergirl to pay homage to what came before, and Christopher Reeve's iconic tenure as Superman. Her suit already looks great thanks to its bright colors and connection to David Corenswet's Superman, but the fact that the cape is literally made from the same material as the one Reeve wore is incredible. And I have to assume it's going to please longtime fans who grew up with that original set of four movies.

Supergirl's first trailer showed Milly Alcock suited up, and she looks pretty incredible, cape and all. The fact that it's literally the same material used for Christopher Reeve's costume is an awesome bit of detail that pays homage to the franchise's history. And I can't wait to see how it looks when Gillespie's blockbuster gets its wide theatrical release.

Late actor Christopher Reeve made history bringing Superman to the big screen in live-action, and his movies are regularly re-watched to this day. He not only inhabited the title character's heroism and optimism, but was able to play Clark Kent through an incredible physical performance. Plus, he looked damn good in the suit and cape.

This is only the latest example of Reeve's Superman being invoked for new adaptations. Henry Cavill famously tried on Reeve's suit when testing for Man of Steel, and now the same cape fabric has been used for Supergirl. Clearly, the filmmakers behind these movies know their history and have respect for the OG.

Supergirl will hit theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to see where Milly Alcock's character goes next, and if there are more homages to Christopher Reeve.

Supergirl is set to soar into theaters in just a few weeks, marking yet another installment in the growing DCU. Of course, the film also signifies the first solo outing for Milly Alcock’s Kryptonian superheroine in this particular continuity. Alcock cameos as Kara Zor-El in Superman, and her brief scene quickly nails down how her personality differs from that of her more polished cousin, Kal-El. There are, of course, more factors that make the two powerful beings so different, and I love Alcock’s take on how Kara is a “contrast.”

During the closing moments of Superman, a drunken Kara darts into the Fortress of Solitude to pick up Krypto, who Kal-El has been watching for her. The scene is funny due to Kara’s nonchalant demeanor, but there’s an underlying reason for all that. Milly Alcock recently spoke with Empire Magazine about her upcoming DC movie and laid out the key components of Kara’s personality. After reading Tom King’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (which inspired the DC Studios flick), Alcock appreciated the character’s tragic backstory:

“Trauma” is indeed the key word here and, while it doesn’t define Kara, it is a big part of her and sets her apart from Kal. As laid out in Woman of Tomorrow, Kara witnesses Krypton’s destruction first hand and eventually seeks revenge for the loss of her entire family and civilization. Sure, Kara eventually proves to be a true hero but, unlike the instantly noble Clark, she’s initially driven by rage and personal anguish. I’m so glad Alcock seems to understand how important that part of Kara’s characterization is to her journey.

Director Craig Gillespie was also drawn to Kara’s tough exterior, as he explained to Empire. That honestly tracks for the man who helmed I, Tonya and Cruella, as those are both stories about layered women who’ve experienced their share of misfortune in life. Interestingly enough, Gillespie shouted out a beloved Marvel movie while explaining why he was so keen to take on his DC gig:

Based on the trailers for Supergirl, the eponymous character doesn’t exactly pull her punches as her famous relative would, which should make the story all the more interesting. The film will see Kara, with Krypto in tow, crossing paths with young Ruthye Marye Knoll and joining forces with her to take down the sadistic Krem of the Yellow Hills. Along the way, Kara will also rub shoulders with the eccentric, alien bounty hunter Lobo (played by a committed Jason Momoa).

Kara dwells in a corner of the DCU that’s a bit more precarious than that of David Corenswet’s Kal-El/Clark Kent, which is yet another difference between the two. Still, fans should remember that what aligns the pair is their shared pursuit of justice. I’m eager to see how Milly Alcock’s character takes her steps towards being a true do-gooder when Supergirl opens in theaters as part of the 2026 movie schedule on June 26. In the meantime, prepare yourself by streaming Superman with an HBO Max subscription.

Whenever another one of Warner Bros’ upcoming DC movies comes out, you know that the fandom is going to have thoughts about it. So, I totally get why Milly Alcock found herself “utterly terrified” when she first landed the role of Supergirl. But, now that the movie is just a month away, I think the 26-year-old has the right attitude about the whole thing.

Lucky for her, this isn’t her first rodeo given she was previously cast in House of the Dragon as young Princess Rhaenyra, which has a fandom that’s similarly quite opinionated. While talking to Variety, Alcock recalled how she was pitted against Emma D’Arcy, the actor who plays older Rhaenyra, online, saying it “broke [her] heart”. But, it sounds like the experience is helping her implement healthier boundaries around toxic fandom. As she shared:

These days anyone can say what they want without consequences because anonymous comments, or from someone without any ties to their actual identity can say hurtful things to anyone. But when it comes to a public facing actor like Alcock, the chance of this grows exponentially and can be very damaging. This is proved by the many examples of women specifically who star in big franchises who have quit social media (such as Daisy Ridley at one point) following getting famous for their roles.

While we don’t know yet how Milly Alcock’s Supergirl will be received by fans, Alcock is already implementing positive ways to get offline rather than giving in to whatever “discourse” may crop up. In her words:

Supergirl is the second movie from James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios redesign that is a reboot of the comic book universe with last year’s release of Superman. So far, we know Milly Alcock’s version of Kara Zor-El will be a bit “messy” as the movie explores the character’s trauma associated with watching her whole planet get destroyed. Even though Alcock has learned a lot about dealing with the toxic side of fandom, she also got real about how difficult it can be to totally unplug, saying this:

While Alcock may look invincible in Supergirl, let’s remember every one we see on our big and small screens are human too, OK? Supergirl is set to hit theaters on June 26, nearly a year after she made her debut with a cameo at the end of Superman last summer.

With the DCEU now in the rear view, moviegoers are looking forward to upcoming DC movies, which will help expand the newly formed DCU that's being planned by co-CEO James Gunn. The next movie title in the first slate of projects (titled Gods and Monsters) is Supergirl, and director Craig Gillespie recently revealed its approximate runtime. I have to say, I'm so relieved by the number.

Supergirl's full trailer showed off the cosmic adventure Milly Alcock's title character will go on, but there are countless questions about what's coming in that blockbuster. One of which is how long it'll be, and during a recent interview with Collider, the I, Tonya director was asked about its rumored runtime of one hour and 45 minutes. He responded by saying:

Honestly, I'm thrilled. While I was already excited for Supergirl, I nervous it might be too long considering how much narrative mileage it needs to cover. We saw how comic book movies like Eternals were ruined by being too long, and since we're still early into the newly formed DCU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription), the stakes are high. And it sounds like the movie will be a bit shorter than James Gunn's Superman, which performed well at the box office in July of 2025.

Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order saw how many peaks and valleys occurred with the previous shared universe, so all eyes are on how Supergirl will perform in theaters. Luckily it's got a pretty brief runtime that should help please any possible critics.

The pressure is definitely on for Supergirl to deliver, as its only the second movie in the DCU. Milly Alcock's cameo in Superman introduced the character, but whether or not audiences respond to her taking center stage remains to be seen. Luckily her scene-stealing dog Krypto is along for the journey... although it looks like he'll be in serious danger during the DC flick.

I think making Supergirl too long would have been a serious misstep, especially since the character is so new to audiences. Luckily Gillespie and and James Gunn have sidestepped this issue, which sounds like the right call. And I'm curious to see how it sets up the future of the DCU.

All will be revealed when Supergirl hits theaters on Jun 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we get more footage soon, as it's going to be released before we know it. Luckily the runtime is a positive sign about the DC movie.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, with a number of shared universes currently in play. Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order have been treated to the newly formed DCU, courtesy of co-CEO James Gunn. The next upcoming DC movie is Supergirl, which features both Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa. And they recently gave somewhat similar comments about playing Supergirl and Aquaman, respectively.

Supergirl's trailer debuted Jason Momoa's Lobo, but in the previous DCEU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) he was Arthur Curry aka Aquaman. In a conversation with ET, he reflected on being cast as the aquatic hero, offering:

Talk about a big secret. As the actor put it, he was largely known for playing Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones prior to landing the role of Aquaman. And while getting that gig was major, he had to keep it under wraps due to the secretive nature of the DCEU at the time. I'm sure he'd rather be screaming to the rooftops about the fact that he would be joining the Justice League.

Later in the same interview, the Wrecking Crew actor spoke about the nerves associated with bringing Aquaman to life in live-action. As he put it:

He's not wrong. Aquaman was a punch line for years prior to Jason Momoa bringing his hulking physicality and signature charisma to the role. But his tenure as the character was ultimately a success that fans responded to. And in addition to his role in Justice League, the Aquaman movie became the highest-grossing DCEU flick upon its release. Now that role is in the rear view, and instead he's playing Lobo, who is a character that seems very close to who the 46-year-old actor is.

What Milly Alcock Said About Playing Supergirl

Funny enough, Jason Momoa's comments about his Aquaman nerves actually sound similar to what his Supergirl co-star Milly Alcock said about playing Kara Zor-El in the newly formed DCU. She recently admitted:

Comic book fans are known for making their opinions known, so it sounds like Alcock is a big nervous about how they'll react to Supergirl. This is a huge gig for the actress, who coincidentally also became known thanks to a Game of Thrones role. I have to wonder if she and Momoa shared stories about Westeros on set.

We'll be able to see these two actors share the big screen when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. The pressure is on, especially since it's only the second movie in the DCU.

The newly formed DCU is growing, thanks to projects planned by co-CEO James Gunn. Fans are looking forward to upcoming DC movies, the next of which is Craig Gillespie's Supergirl. That blockbuster stars House of the Dragon actress Milly Alcock, who got honest about why she was "terrified" to land the gig. Let's break it all down.

Supergirl's trailer showed off Alcock's drunken hero, and fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order are hyped for her solo flick to arrive this summer. It's only a few months away, an during a conversation with ET, the 26 year-old actress spoke about her time as Kara so far, offering:

I mean, can you blame her? It jut be a pinch-me moment to lead a blockbuster like Supergirl, but that's exactly what she's doing. What's more, Milly Alcock is hoping young women learn that it's ok to be imperfect as a result of her performance in the forthcoming blockbuster. Of course, there are also some nerves involved.

Later in her same interview, Milly Alcock got real about the less positive aspects of playing the title character in Supergirl. Namely waiting to see how moviegoers respond to the blockbuster. In her words:

Comic book fans are known for not holding back their opinions, so Milly Alcock's nerves totally make sense to me. The pressure is on for the cast and crew of Supergirl to deliver, especially since it's only the second movie in the burgeoning DCU. While Superman performed well at the box office, it remains to be seen if audiences are similarly invested in Kara's story. The movie will take us from Earth to space for a cosmic adventure about grief and chosen family. And it should also presumably set up future plot points for the shared universe.

Luckily for fans, the wait for Supergirl is nearly over. The DC blockbuster is currently set to arrive in theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Milly Alcock's tenure as the Kryptonian is only just beginning, and I can't wait to see what comes next for Kara Zor-El.

Without a doubt, one of the most talked-about 2026 movie releases yet to release is Craig Gillespie’s DCU debut Supergirl, even if a lot of the talk centered on the upcoming superhero feature has skewed less than positive. I’m all about bringing more sloppy drunks into the DCU,, so I’m keeping an open mind about Milly Alcock’s full-length portrayal of Kara Zor-El, but wowzers is it hard to avoid the litany of potshots being aimed at a new line of Supergirl action figures.

Every modern comic book movie seems destined for toy lines, with McFarlane Toys among the most utilized companies, for better or worse. And “worse” would probably be what a lot of fans would use to describe their feelings about the impending figure releases designed to resemble Alcock’s heroine, as well as the special edition figure honoring Melissa Benoist’s Supergirl who helped keep the Arrowverse safe. Fans have long debated which actress owns the role, but most seem to be in agreement that their toy likenesses suck.

Fan Comments About Milly Alcock's Supergirl Figure

Starting with the first McFarlane Toys post showcasing Supergirl and her sword, with posts about the Deluxe Theatrical Edition featuring Krypto to follow, fans immediately went in on just how wildly inaccurate and non-detailed the figure looks. Most honed in on the facial features,

• The face 😭😭😭
• Butterface
• Her face looks like something from White Chicks 🤣
• Did Todd hire a blind raccoon to do the head sculpt?
• I especially like that she has no neck.
• This dude couldn’t do a good face sculpt if his life depended on it.

I tend to avoid agreeing with mindless complaints being shared online, but I also got White Chicks vibes when I first caught sight of these figures. Maybe it's the general squareness of the sculpt. Or maybe Shawn Wayans actually was used as the 3D model for these.

Meanwhile, others on X were also quick to criticize the plastic Supergirl's thin appendages, as well as the general shoddiness for a toy promoting one of the most advertised movies of the year.

• i’m sorry but why did they give her noodle arms.. the rest is fine ig but why are her arms like that
• Long a-s skinny arms that likeness is ROUGH!
• I really appreciate McFarlane Toys being so awful that I don’t have to collect them.
• This may be one of mcfarlanes most embarrassing figures holy s--t
• One of the worst McFarlane DC figures of all time.

To be sure, some of the commenters are likely the same ones who populate social media with other forms of Supergirl hate, but for what it's worth, most of the negativity I saw aimed at the toys were wholly on topic, without taking direct aim at Alcock herself, who has spoken out about facing fandom toxicity from her relatively short stint on HBO’s House of the Dragon.

I do wonder if the actress would agree with the online sentiment that the designs look off, or if she will embrace the toys regardless. Probably the latter, but I bet the former happens at least once behind closed doors.

Melissa Benoist's Supergirl Figure Also Earns Tons Of Flak

Though the Arrowverse went defunct several years ago, James Gunn's DCU has given The CW shows' fanbase reason to continue decrying new cast members in favor of those who donned the capes and tights on the small screen. Once again, though, it seems all impulses to debate issues are quelled by the need to agree that this figure's face design is just as wonky as the one for Alcock. Check it out below:

Which then sparked comments such as those seen below:

• Please tell me youre gon a fix her face 😬😬
• I would've given that face another couple passes before finalizing the design.
• Benoist's smile is iconic and yall go with a smirk?
• Sweet baby Jeebus !. The f--k is that face ??
• Dear god what did you do to her face?!
• It took me some time to realize that it was supposed to be Melissa's Supergirl. I couldn't tell by how terrible the face is. Hurrah for McFarland's.

Yikes, amirite? At least when it comes to the actual humans themselves, Benoist has been supportive of Alcock taking over the role, and doesn't want to echo the internet's less than savory sentiments.

Create your own Kara toy line to celebrate the upcoming DC movie Supergirl hitting theaters on June 26, 2026.

Many of us were first introduced to Milly Alcock as Princess Rhaenyra in the Game of Thrones spin-off series, House of the Dragon. But this summer, she takes flight in the upcoming Supergirl, which is bound to launch her into a whole other stratosphere of fame. Of course, when her casting as the second-most famous Kryptonian was announced, there was online backlash, which the actress says she learned to deal with thanks to her time on HotD.

Ahead of the 2026 calendar release of one of the most anticipated new superhero movies, Milly Alcock sat down with Vanity Fair for a wide-ranging interview, touching on how her time in the world of Westeros made her swear off big franchises. However, after a year without work, she became nervous that her career was stalling, and then Supergirl was offered to her. But is she primed for the inevitable backlash that comes with such a major project? She explains how GoT taught her what to expect:

For the Sirens star, moving from House of the Dragon, a role she's famously spoken about her struggles with starring in, to taking on a major new DC movie as the headlining superhero has brought a ton of anxiety. According to her, she has been having “crazy dreams,” imagining herself at the “foot of a tsunami,” as her first major motion picture appearance as Kara Zor-El gets closer to release. Of course, she wants the movie to be well received, but she is preparing herself for the title wave of outspoken members of the fandom who aren’t so keen on her or her take on the character.​

Alcock’s take on how entertainment audiences feel emboldened to speak about women’s bodies is very similar to Sydney Sweeney's description of how she dealt with people feeling comfortable talking about her body a few years ago. And much like the Upright actress, Sweeney explained the odd feeling of having no control over how viewers perceive or respond to her. The only thing she can control is her choices in work.

Like Sweeney, the Australian-born star is focusing on her next career moves and approaching each project with intent. Beyond Supergirl, she has an amazingly diverse slate of projects on the horizon. These include Thumb, a comedy about a severed (you guessed it) thumb, featuring Sofía Vergara and Kate McKinnon. Plus there's Hot Mother, which tells the story of a mother (Toni Collette) and daughter (Alcock) trapped in a sauna at a remote wellness spa. With these projects lined up after her superhero debut, she already has her sights set on where she’d like to go next:

The Game of Thrones franchise is world-famous, and its first major spinoff made Milly Alcock a familiar face to anyone with an HBO Max subscription. But, with Supergirl soon to hit theaters, she’s preparing to take on the spotlight in a way she didn't set out looking for. Luckily, it seems she has a solid head on her shoulders and is prepared to face that online backlash, no matter how undeserved it may be, head-on.

Supergirl lands in theaters on June 26, 2026. As expectation builds, all eyes are on Milly Alcock and how she will bring this iconic character to life in her biggest role yet.

The superhero genre keeps going strong, and fans who watched the DC movies in order have recently been introduced to a new shared universe. Crafted by co-CEO James Gunn, the DCU is still in its infancy, with a handful of projects released in theaters and streaming with a HBO Max subscription. The next upcoming DC movie is Supergirl, and it's star Milly Alcock recently responded to folks like Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott who have criticized comic book movies.

Back in 2019, Scorsese claimed that superhero movies "aren't cinema" starting a debate that's still going strong today. Some have taken the legendary filmmaker's side, while others have stuck up for genre work. While speaking with Vanity Fair Alcock shared her own thoughts, offering:

There you have it. While Milly Alcock is best known for starring as Supergirl and as pat of the House of the Dragon cast, she doesn't mind that some famous directors aren't fond of genre work. Art is subjective, so folks like Scorsese and Scott (who called comic book movies "boring") are entitled to their opinions. Sounds like a healthy perspective to me.

This is a great perspective for the 25 year-old actress to have, especially as she's early in her tenure as Kara Zor-El in the DCU. While this is a huge opportunity that could make her a household name, it's also a gig that opens her up to a ton of criticism. But she seems to understand that everyone is going to have their own opinions, and there are folks who simply don't enjoy comic book movies.

Alcock debuted as Kara with a Superman cameo, debuting her drunk Kryptonian to audiences. Anticipation for her solo film has been steadily building, especially after Supergirl's full trailer was released. As a reminder, you can check it out below:

While superhero movies aren't for everyone, this movie has something for everyone. Namely because of the emphasis on Krypto, who is once again in danger in his second appearance in the shared universe. Who doesn't love dogs... especially if they have superpowers?

This above trailer is definitely giving some Guardians of the Galaxy vibes, even if James Gunn isn't actually the director. The cosmic story, flawed hero, emphasis on classic rock, and adorable sidekick all bring those sensibilities to the table. But if Krypto dies I will riot in the streets.

All will be revealed when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Although we can assume Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott won't be in attendance.

The superhero genre is showing no signs of slowing down, and the newly formed DCU is still in its infancy. Co-CEO James Gunn is methodically crafting the shared universe, with the first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters. The next upcoming DC movie heading to theaters is Craig Gillespie's Supergirl, and we were just treated to its full trailer. In it we got Milly Alcock's narration, lots more of Jason Momoa's Lobo, as well as an emotional story related to poor Krypto. Why won't the villains of the universe leave this superpowered pooch alone?

While Supergirl's teaser trailer arrived back in December, we got to see Milly Alcock's "messy" character take center stage following her cameo in Superman. But the above trailer much more context into the story heading to theaters, which will seemingly be focused on Kara Zor-El's truma, and her rescue mission after Krypto is poisoned by the villainous Brigands.

Craig Gillespie told CinemaBlend that Krypto was going to be at the heart of the movie's story, but I'm not emotionally prepared to see the little guy sick. Supergirl has just three days to hunt down the bad guys and get the antidote, which will seemingly be the main plot of her movie. Luckily she's not going to be alone in this quest.

In both trailers we saw Kara interacting with Eve Ridley's Ruthye Marye Knol, a young fighter who is seemingly also hunting the Brigands. They team up, but Supergirl also tells her that "revenge won't take your pain away." Of course she knows about pain herself, having watch her home planet's destruction.

Then there's Kara's other ally, Lobo. The cosmic antihero is finally getting his live-action movie debut in Supergirl, in a role that looks perfect for Jason Momoa. It looks like he meets Alcock's hero in a dive bar, where they share a shot together. Despite the cosmic character usually operating in the morally gray space, it looks like they somehow end up aligned and fighting the bad guys together.

Of course, fans who have been watching the DC movies in order will likely be thrilled that David Corenswet's Superman is seen early in this trailer, showing some concern for his cousin's well-being. Will her adventure in space finally bring them together on Earth? Only time will tell.

All will be revealed when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully Krypto makes it out of the blockbuster alive, so I don't have to riot in the streets.

The superhero genre continues to thrive, and we're still early into the life of the new DC Universe. Created by co-CEO James Gunn, the first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters and features both movies and streaming content for those with a HBO Max subscription. The next highly anticipated upcoming DC movie is Craig Gillespie's Supergirl, which stars Milly Alcock as the title character. And while her character Kara Zor-El is kind of a drunk, the actress revealed the deeper message she's hoping audiences will take from the blockbuster.

What we know about Supergirl is pretty limited, but fans are hyped for the cosmic adventure that's headed to theaters this summer. The Supergirl trailer teased some of the adventures to come, and also confirmed that the title character is still hitting the sauce. In an interview and photo shoot with Beyond Noise, Alcock shared what she hopes young people will take from character's flaws. In her words:

Honestly, I love this messaging. Rather than Supergirl being a symbol of hope and kindness like her cousin, Alcock's character is very different. She's seemingly ruled my trauma related to the destruction of Krypton, and uses booze to help cope with it all. And while the House of the Dragon star doesn't want this to be an example for young people, she does think there's value in her character showing girls it's ok to be less than perfect.

Moviegoers who have spent years watching the DC movies in order will likely notice that the characterization described by Alcock stands in stark juxtaposition to heroes like Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman. She was strong, king, beautiful, and anything but "messy." There's nothing wrong with this portrayal, but women contain multitudes and Supergirl will be able to tell a very different superhero story.

As a reminder, you can check out the first trailer for Supergirl below, which definitely shows Kara being rough around the edges (and more than a little drunk).

Over the past few years, there's been a ton of conversation about the power of representation in the media. That includes portraying different types of women, rather than having them be an unrealistic monolith. And Milly Alcock seems to understand the platform she has with her ongoing role in the DCU.

Supergirl is set to hit theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. It should be fascinating to see where Alcock's character goes next in the burgeoning shared universe.

Charli XCX may be a best-selling recording artist, but she’s also established herself in the movie scene. On the heels of her film, The Moment, the “Boom Clap” singer went from Brat Summer to landing a horror movie with Japanese director Takashi Miike. However, if you need more reasons to see the upcoming A24 flick, a DC star and more have been cast in the wild-sounding horror film that’s already making me want to buy tickets.

According to Deadline, the British pop star’s wild movie trend continues, starring in Takashi Miike’s new flick. Known as Untitled Kyoto, the horror movie is about three friends whose trip to Kyoto turns into a nightmare when Charli XCX’s character gets possessed by a demon.

Not only is that wild plot leaving me filled with anticipation, but so is the announcement of DC star Milly Alcock joining the cast. She wrapped up filming Supergirl last year, and we'll get to see the superheroine travel across the galaxy when it premieres on the 2026 movie schedule. Now, between making her film debut in the 2018 horror flick The School and having a standout performance in the first season of House of the Dragon, her versatility is clear and will be on display again in Supergirl. Now, I'm really looking forward to seeing what she brings to Miike's movie.

Milly Alcock and Charli XCX aren’t the only stars to look forward to in the untitled horror flick. The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus will also be joining the cast. With his flair for playing the loyal protector Daryl Dixon in the AMC series and the anti-hero vigilante in The Boondock Saints movies, I’m curious where the actor will fall in Untitled Kyoto.

Another familiar face making their way to the new horror movie is Attack on Titan’s Kiko Mizuhara, who will be playing the violent spirit. There’s also Show Kasamatsu, who’s known for HBO Max’s Tokyo Vice and will soon make his English-language film debut in the upcoming Lionsgate thriller Karoshi. This talented cast is sure to bring together thrilling elements that’ll make Takashi Miike’s new movie a must-see.

To say that Charli XCX’s new/upcoming filmography has wild plots would be an understatement. Her new mockumentary with Kylie Jenner, The Moment, had wild Letterboxd reactions that are leaving me intrigued for the 2026 movie release. And then the British performer will be starring in an upcoming movie with Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega, The Gallerist, which is about turning a corpse into a gallery’s new work of art. With the "I Love It" singer about to star as a victim of demon possession, Charli XCX continues to be fearless in her roles.

When you mix the ingredients of a pop star, a DC actress, a Walking Dead star, and more in the cast of one of the most terrifying horror directors’ movies, you know you’ve got something special on your hands. So, you best believe I'll be seated.

When it was first announced that James Gunn was taking over DC Studios and that the entire cinematic franchise would be rebooted, there were fans who were excited and those who were disappointed. While the DCEU certainly had its issues, many in the cast were perfect in their roles, and some had barely had a chance to show what they could do.

Sasha Calle played Supergirl in The Flash, one of the last movies of the previous franchise. Since certain elements from the DCEU, like Blue Beetle and Peacemaker, were surviving the reboot, some wondered if Calle might as well, before it was confirmed Miley Alcock would play a new Supergirl in the upcoming DC movie focused on the character. While Calle originally admitted to being disappointed in not staying in the role, she recently told EW she’s nothing but grateful for the experience of playing Supergirl:

Sasha Calle’s Supergirl is regarded by many as the best part of The Flash, a movie that has more than a few problems. Still, Calle’s performance was good enough that, until we were sure her time was over, many hoped to see more from her. There were those who were quite disappointed that Calle wasn’t called back into service.

To be fair, the Supergirl in the new film is a very different sort of character than the one Calle played. Calle's character in The Flash was much more like a traditional take on Superman who just happened to be Supergirl. Milly Alcock's take is a hard-partying outcast.

Sasha Calle is seemingly not one of those people, however. The Flash was her big screen debut, and while it may not have resulted in more work for DC, it opened the door for the actress to do other things. She directly credits playing Supergirl to leading to where she is now, co-starring in the new movie The Rip (available tomorrow with a Netflix subscription) alongside the likes of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. She continued…

Who knows? While the door to playing Supergirl may be closed, if Jason Momoa can go from playing Aquaman to playing Lobo, then there’s always the chance Sasha Calle could find a new calling within the DC Universe. She’s certainly shown she can handle it.

Fans who have spent years watching the DC movies in order were recently treated to a new shared universe courtesy of co-CEO James Gunn. The first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, and will once again occupy the big screen with Craig Gillespie's Supergirl. Fans have been curious about the upcoming DC movie ever since star Milly Alcock cameod in Superman, and she takes center stage in the recently released first trailer for Supergirl. The footage features the drunken title character, cool cosmic adventures, as well as glimpse at Jason Momoa's Lobo.

What we know about Supergirl has been limited, so the above trailer is sure to quickly go viral. It opens on a hungover Kara Zor-El, who has seemingly been partying throughout space since we last saw her. Luckily she's got Krypto with her, so she's not completely alone... although her training of the superpowered dog definitely leaves something to be desired.

Eventually she meets a character named Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by actress Eve Ridley. This pair seemingly sticks together through various cosmic conflicts. I assume that Lobo is tasked with hunting them down, making way for Momoa to make his DCU debut following his tenure as Aquaman (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription).

While Marvel is known for its tight security, it's safe to say DC is also operating with caution. This teaser is careful not too reveal too much about Supergirl, which should allow for the movie's surprises to still hit when it arrives over the summer. Aside from Krypto there doesn't appear to be any returning characters in the blockbuster, although some fans might be holding out hope for David Corenswet's Clark Kent to make an appearance. After Alcock's cameo in Superman, why not return the favor?

The most heart-tugging moment from this teaser (aside from everything Krypto does) has to be the way Kara spoke about the destruction of Krypton. Because while Clark Kent was just a baby when he was saved and sent to Earth, Milly Alcock's character was a young woman. She's clearly plagued by memories of her planet's death, which I have to assume is part of the reason why she's relying so much on drinking throughout the cosmos.

It looks like Supergirl will take us to a few different strange planets, and I have to wonder if/how her abilities are affected by those travels. Kryptonians get their power from the Yellow Sun, so if Kara and her dog travel somewhere else, could she end up powerless? This might be an interesting way to keep the action sequences with appropriate stakes, while also showing her fighting abilities while not depending on God-like powers.

All will be revealed when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. For now fans can re-watch the first three DCU projects over on HBO Max including Superman.

Milly Alcock might be suiting up as the next Supergirl in the new DCU movie next year, but her next post-cape project is sounding more like Saw than Smallville. The House of the Dragon breakout and Supergirl lead is set to star in a psychological survival thriller. If that wasn’t already enough to get die-hard fans of new horror movies excited, Alcock will be starring alongside horror genre royalty, Toni Collette, in what's truly a wild-sounding film.

The Reckoning alum will co-star with Collette in Hot Mother, the debut feature from Australian writer-director Lucy Knox, per Deadline. The plot is simple and suffocating: a mother and daughter check into a remote wellness retreat for some quality time… only to end up trapped inside a sauna with no way out and no one to hear them scream. What follows is a tense, physically brutal fight for survival that leans heavily into both psychological horror and raw endurance. Needless to say, a DC hero would be invaluable in this tale.

The project marks a major return to genre for Collette, who practically has “trauma horror icon” on her resume thanks to Hereditary, The Sixth Sense, Velvet Buzzsaw, and, more recently, the thriller series Wayward, available with a Netflix subscription. Alcock, meanwhile, has been steadily expanding her post-HOTD resume with recent roles in Netflix’s Sirens and her high-profile upcoming DCU Chapter 1 project, set to hit theaters on June 26, 2026.

Hot Mother is being produced by Carver Films (Relic, Run Rabbit Run) and Rapt Films’ Oscar-winner Alex Coco, who recently produced Sean Baker’s Anora. The film will shoot in Australia and is backed by Screen Australia, Screen NSW, and VicScreen, with Maslow Entertainment handling local distribution. Bankside Films is overseeing global sales and co-repping North America with CAA Media Finance, and they seem just as smitten with the film’s twisted premise as the cast.

“We were sold on Hot Mother from the title alone,” Bankside’s Stephen Kelliher told Deadline, adding that the mother-daughter core will help elevate the film from just another survival flick into something with real emotional weight. Producer Anna McLeish echoed that, saying Knox is “beyond ready to bring Hot Mother to life,” while Coco called her a “filmmaker’s filmmaker” poised to leave a global mark.

The original Hot Mother short film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020, where Knox turned a sauna into a pressure cooker of character, tension and sweat-soaked dread. So, while the premise might sound minimal, the emotional stakes are shaping up to be huge, and with actors like Collette and Alcock at the center of it, it’s bound to burn in all the right ways.

No official release date has been announced, but Hot Mother is reportedly being lined up for 2026 movie schedule debut, giving Alcock just enough time to trade her red cape for a towel and a bottle of water. In the meantime, you can catch her in Sirens or revisit her breakout role as young Princess Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon Season 1, streaming now with an HBO Max subscription.

In comic book lore, Jor-El and Lara Lor-van are typically portrayed as moral and good Kryptonians who send their son to Earth simply so that he can survive the death of his home planet... but that tradition has been significantly upended in the new lore of the DC Universe. In James Gunn's Superman, it's revealed that they had very different and specific plans for their offspring on a foreign world – namely, he was supposed to dominate the human race and essentially reform it in his image. It's quite a bombshell in the 2025 movie, but fans should know that we're definitely not done learning about the Man of Steel's family, as there are more revelations to come in the upcoming Supergirl.

The next DCU blockbuster is arriving in 2026 (just eight months away now!), and actor David Krumholtz has offered up some interesting teases regarding what fans can expect from the movie. During a recent interview with Nerdtropolis, the actor was asked to tease what is on the way in the Supergirl movie, and in addition to complimenting its faithfulness to the source material, he noted that the film will offer more insight into what Superman's family was like on Krypton. Said Krumholtz,

As far as the House of El is concerned, David Krumholtz definitely has an inside track to what's going on with the family, as he will be portraying a part of that family tree. Specifically, he is going to be portraying Zor-El – who is the younger brother of Jor-El, uncle to Superman, and father or Supergirl (a.k.a. Kara Zor-El). In the comics, he is usually another one of the "good Kryptonians," as he joins his brother in trying to convince the larger populace of the planet that their world is dying before it is too late... but after what happens in Superman, I'm not sure we can trust that will still be the case with the new big screen version of the character.

Needless to say, it will be very interesting to see if the 2026 blockbuster ends up changing how we feel about the family and the context of the revelation in James Gunn's film... especially because the plan initiated by Jor-El and Lara Lor-van with their only son going to Earth seems pretty indefensible from the angle at which we now view it. If Supergirl can successfully pull that off, it would be quite the storytelling feat to say the least.

For right now, what we actually know about the upcoming DC movie is pretty minimal, though we got a taste of what we can expect from the lead character via the Milly Alcock cameo in Superman (she is a true party girl). The miniseries Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely has been utilized by screenwriter Ana Nogueira as source material, and the story will see the titular hero both celebrating her 21st birthday in the cosmos and embarking on a mission for murderous revenge.The film is being directed by Craig Gillespie, and in addition to Alcock and Krumholtz, the impressive ensemble cast also includes Matthias Schoenaerts, newcomer Eve Ridley, Emily Beecham, and Jason Momoa making his debut as Lobo.

Production on Supergirl wrapped back in May, and while the film won't be arriving in theaters until next summer, it's a pretty safe bet that we'll see the first trailer before the end of 2025. That in mind, stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for all of the latest news and updates about the exciting new superhero movie.

The DC Universe is still in its infancy, but it's already made a splash in theaters and streaming with a HBO Max subscription. The first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, debuting in theaters with Superman. The next upcoming DC movie is Supergirl, and James Gunn's three-word description is going to please Guardians of the Galaxy fans.

What we know about Supergirl is limited, but fans are eager to see how it connects to the rest of the DCU, especially after Peacemaker's Season 2 finale. The contents of the Milly Alcock-led movie are being largely kept under wraps, James Gunn's latest comments to Rolling Stone offer a tease that will likely turn heads. He said:

It's like... Guardians? Sign me TF up. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will recall how Gunn helped the cosmic heroes go from relative unknowns to fan favorites. It's unique tone and colorful, cosmic environment would be awesome to see in the DCU, so we'll have to see how closely Supergirl actually resembles Gunn's Marvel franchise when it arrives in theaters.

Supergirl will be the first installment in the DCU to not be written/directed by James Gunn. While he's no doubt involved in the movie's creation thanks to running the studio, Craig Gillespie is behind the camera and the script was penned by Ana Nogueira. As such, perhaps we shouldn't expect a DC version of Guardians of the Galaxy, but a story that has some similarities to that beloved property.

Milly Alcock got a cameo as Supergirl in Superman, and it looks like Kara Zor-El will be very different than her Kansas-raised cousin. She drunkenly crashed into the Fortress of Solitude, rudely thanking Clark for babysitting Krypto. I can't wait to see that scene-stealing pooch in the Supergirl movie, as well as whatever cosmic chaos the title character gets into.

As previously mentioned, James Gunn did some outstanding work with the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (which is streaming in its entirety with a Disney+ subscription). The 2014 original was a surprise hit, and countless Marvel movies attempted to find the same balance of heart and humor. The cosmic team became instant fan favorite characters, whose trilogy (and holiday special) told a complete, emotional story. If Supergirl can manage to have connective tissue to the Marvel franchise then the DCU might be in for another big success story. Fingers crossed.

Gunn has shown a penchant for serialized storytelling with the first three titles in the DCU so far: Creature Commandos, Superman, and Peacemaker. As such, Supergirl has the potential to greatly influence whatever comes next.

All will be revealed when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. For now fans can re-watch all of the shared universe's projects on HBO Max.

James Gunn just dropped a behind-the-scenes photo from his 2025 movie release, Superman, and it’s pure comic book joy. The shot shows David Corenswet, suited up as the Man of Steel, grinning alongside House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock, who cameos as Supergirl in the flick and is set to reprise the role in a standalone upcoming DCU film. The two actors look thrilled to be there, and the internet is equally delighted -- though for a slightly different reason. Seriously, I cannot stop laughing over all the jokes about Corenswet's phone stuffed in his trunks.

In the image, which the director posted to his Instagram, fans quickly noticed David Corenswet’s phone tucked neatly into the front of the waistband of his classic red Superman trunks. Check out the image for yourself below:

Because the Internet never misses a chance to poke fun, the comments section quickly filled with jokes aimed at the filmmakers, the costume department, and of course, Superman himself. Here are some of the standout roasts:

• Mr. Gunn, give that man some super pockets. - _chefboyardean_
• WHY IS THE PHONE IN THE TRUNKS? 😭 - isaacjosephdantes
• So THAT'S WHY he wears the trunks! - travgetsinsta
• That phone is used to quickdraw against Supershit commenters. - nirvanic_artz
• Is that a phone in your pants, or are you just happy to see me? 😂- Andrewrainnie
• Give that man some pockets! - Travis Knight

Superpockets? Now, there is an idea!

In all seriousness, though, the trunks have been part of Big Blue’s look since his 1938 debut, but they almost didn’t make the cut this time around. James Gunn initially doubted they’d work on screen while Corenswet had strong feelings about them being included. Of course, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster weren’t exactly designing outer briefs with iPhones in mind. Had the filmmakers scrapped them entirely, Corenswet might’ve been in real trouble. Batman has his trusty utility belt, but Clark? He’s stuck improvising and, now, we’ve got photographic proof.

With Superman having finally arrived as part of DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, attention is shifting to what’s next — namely, Supergirl. Corenswet and Milly Alcock seem to have great chemistry on and off screen, but how will her solo outing compare? According to the former Guardians of the Galaxy helmer turned DC co-CEO, Kara Zor-El’s big-screen adventure will be a very different beast from her cousin’s. Gunn has teased that Supergirl will carry a much more “rock and roll” edge, so audiences might want to brace themselves when she takes flight next summer.

At present, Superman is still flying high at the box office so, if you’re one of the few who hasn’t seen it yet, now’s the perfect time to check your local listings. As for Alcock’s turn as Supergirl, fans got both a sweet behind-the-scenes shot of her with Supes and a quick (and slightly drunken) cameo in the film’s conclusion.

We’ll have to wait until Milly Alcock's Kara and Krypto return to the DCU, as Supergirl arrives on June 26, 2026. In the meantime, I can’t help but wonder … where will the Woman of Tomorrow keep her cell phone? Of course, fans can also use this time to stream other DC-related titles with the help of a trusty HBO Max subscription.

While James Gunn’s DC Universe reboot intrigued me before the 2025 release of his Superman reboot, seeing the movie for myself changed my tune drastically. After David Corenswet’s turn as the legendary Metahuman, I’m all in on the road ahead in DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. Some credit needs to be given to Milly Alcock, as her rowdy portrayal of Supergirl’s titular character has already been teased in appropriate fashion.

As if her short but sweet cameo in the wake of Superman’s ending hadn’t built those hopes up enough, Mr. Gunn has given us a teaser poster that’s still very much spoiler free. Though as you’ll see below, having some familiarity with how her goody two shoes cousin has been sold to the public is all you’ll need to get the gist:

What's more, it's been revealed that a Twitter account claiming to be "LuthorCorp News" has made a statement reacting to the existence of Superman's cousin. As one would expect, this isn't exactly something Metropolis' infamous billionaire/traitor to Earth wanted to learn. Here now is that reaction, in its entirety, and in the exact formatting it was issued:

I would not want to be anywhere near what's left of the LuthorCorp Building. Between the debris from "the incident," and this wonderfully cheery message, the work environment could be figuratively and literally toxic.

I know some of you who have seen Superman already are probably asking yourselves, "Has he not seen the movie? Kara Zor-El has a cameo!" First off, you could have just asked; and yes, I've seen the movie. Twice actually, counting my Superman 4DX-perience from the end of last week.

However, you can't exactly find official stills of that scene online - which is where this new tease comes in. Now that looks like the Kryptonian cousin that likes to party on planets with red suns. And before anyone points out how Shazam! did the whole "DC Hero sassily sips a drink on the poster" thing before, I acknowledge that. It's just that, no offense, Supergirl looks cooler doing it.

Though I’d have expected nothing less as this House of the Dragon alum makes quite an impression storming into the Fortress of Solitude, in order to pick up her dog towards the end of James Gunn's cinematic kickoff. Come to think of it, the only way that this advanced art for Supergirl would be cooler is if Krypto the Superdog was present, raising the sort of hell that only one of the best boys could.

If Milly Allcock’s reaction to her Supergirl casting is any indication, she’s probably celebrating with some friends right about now - if not, very soon. Anyone in her position would be justified in doing so, as the afterglow of her cameo appearance leads the way to her collaboration with director Craig Gillespie being the focus of the company’s hype machine.

Buckle up for Supergirl, as she’s set to take her place on the big screen, starting June 26th, 2026. To take a look at the competition, head over to our 2026 movie schedule and see who (probably) doesn’t stand a chance against this woman of tomorrow! Oh, and if you somehow haven't seen Superman, you can catch up with that inspiring thrill ride, in theaters now.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, with a number of shared universes currently in play. Fans are definitely hyped for upcoming DC movies, and are curious about James Gunn's plans for the first slate or projects titled Gods and Monsters. A number of beloved characters are returning to the screen, including Supergirl. And now Melissa Benoist has shared her A+ perspective about Milly Alcock taking on the role of Supergirl.

What we know about Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is limited, but Alcock has wrapped her role as the title character. Melissa Benoist famously played that hero throughout in various CW shows (streaming with a Netflix subscription), and was asked an in interview with WatchMojo about the developing DCU. She shared her thoughts about the character's legacy, offering:

Points were made. Rather than feeling ownership over Supergirl, she seems to love the way multiple actors have been able to play Kryptonians throughout the years. What's more, the Glee star is actually excited to see how Alcock's tenure as her signature role goes down.

The DCU (which is streaming with a Max subscription) is still in its very early stages, with only Creature Commandos being released so far. But that'll change with James Gunn's Superman, as well as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. While fans are curious about which actors will play iconic comic book characters, Milly Alcock is beginning her tenure as Supergirl. And her predecessor seems pleased as punch for what comes next.

What we know about Superman isn't much, but Alcock is expected to debut as Supergirl sometime throughout its runtime. Exactly how much screen time she gets remains to be seen, but that'll presumably set up her appearance in Woman of Tomorrow. And given her genre work in House of the Dragon, the 25 year-old actress seems like the perfect person to bring Kara Zor-El to life on the big screen.

Melissa Benoist starred in Supergirl for a whopping six seasons on The CW, in addition to appearances on other shows and crossover events. But despite the years dedicated to portraying this DC hero, she seems just as hyped as the rest of us to see what Alcock will do with the role. Bring it on!

Superman will hit theaters on July 8th as part of the 2025 movie release list, and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will follow suit on June 26th, 2026.

Considering Sirens is still the No. 1 TV show on the 2025 TV schedule, at least for those streaming with a Netflix subscription, I’m guessing I’m not the only one with a lot of questions about the thriller. One detail you might have noticed is all the women on the fictional island of Port Haven wear the same kind of necklaces.

What’s up with those? Well, I looked into it, and as it turns out, the show’s creator Molly Smith Metzler, who based the new Netflix TV show on her 2011 play, “Elemeno Pea,” had a very specific reason why they are wearing them. When she spoke with Variety, the journalist asked if the lockets are “full of drugs” or something of that sort. Here’s how Metzler replied:

It’s not a stretch that Sirens would be inspired by wealthy New England beachside communities like Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. As the creator shares, the lockets worn by most of the women in Port Haven are pulled directly from the fashion sense of two similar islands in Massachusetts, and it plays right into the creepy aesthetic of the series itself. As she continued:

While there’s clearly some theories ablaze about the lockets being more than just fashion statements, the show’s creator has put that to rest. Perhaps what’s more terrifying is that this “culty” mentality is very much at play in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard rather than it being made up for the show without any truth behind it.

Molly Smith Metzler is also right about the basket necklaces being expensive. I found one online from Chatham Jewelers for $1,200!

The series creator has also talked about the backstory behind “hey, hey”, which is also inspired by her summers in Martha’s Vineyard where she worked at a yacht club and noticed women would pick up on “each other’s way of saying things.” along with the same expensive necklace to show “status” and an unspoken unity within their ingroup.

It’s details like the lockets that make Sirens one of the best shows to binge-watch on Netflix right now. I knew I was hooked as soon as I saw Milly Alcock’s Simone and Julianne Moore’s Michaela sharing gum (which they really did on set by the way) in episode one. It pulled me in to this fictional community where Simone is so close with her billionaire boss that she’s swapping spit and helping her own with sexts with her husband.

Sure, I definitely was left furious at one character in particular and ruminating on if I want the ending’s loose ends to be tied up, but after learning about the creator’s real-life inspirations, I’m clutching my jewelry a little tighter thinking about the real messages the TV show cleverly touched upon.

SPOILERS are ahead for the Sirens ending. You can stream all five episodes now with a Netflix subscription.

Have you noticed this? In recent years, it’s been in high fashion for miniseries to suddenly become an ongoing series. The White Lotus, for example, was going to be one season, but here we are getting excited for Season 4. This also recently happened with Tina Fey’s The Four Seasons, which was renewed for a second season even though it was crafted initially as a limited series. Big Little Lies, too. While I’m usually game for this kind of thing, after watching Sirens, I want to talk about why I’m actually totally good with its ending staying where it is.

When it comes to 2025 Netflix releases, I don’t think I’ve binged a new show faster than Sirens this year. I was drawn in by Milly Alcock and Julianne Moore’s characters being so creepily close as coworkers they share gum (yes, actually the actors really did on set), and what would happen when Meghann Fahy crashed her sister’s life at a lavish beach estate. I got properly hooked on this show, but I’m totally satisfied with how things were left. Let me talk about it:

I Binge-Watched Sirens On Netflix, And I Thoroughly Enjoyed It

I’ve actually slowed down when it comes to bingeing shows in one sitting lately. It’s a long time commitment to sit on my couch for, and honestly not many shows keep my attention for that long. However, Sirens is kind of the perfect binge. It’s only five episodes long, so it was more realistic for me to start and finish the show on the same day. Plus, it was a great combination of being both gripping and an easy watch.

And then there’s the plotline itself – it plays like a summer beach read novel that I would simply eat up while accidentally getting sunburned because of laying out next to the waves. It instantly pulled me in with its opening where Fahy’s Devon charges off to her sister with the fruit basket in hand she had delivered to her home in response to learning their father has dementia. I found it really clever how the show instantly had me buying into Devon’s perspective, while also being really interested in what was going on with Alcock’s Simone and her very rich boss, Moore’s Michaela, and their unique world we are introduced to.

Now, I don’t think it was necessarily an amazing series, as I definitely thought it was going to get a lot more twisted than it actually did, but I enjoyed the journey from beginning to end, and that’s a total win in my book. I thought it was fun, it got into some really interesting topics and I didn’t necessarily expect the ending.

Of Course I'm Curious What's Next For Simone, Michaela And Devon

Sirens ends with Simone becoming the new partner for Kevin Bacon’s billionaire character, Peter Kell, who’s character totally threw me for a loop. Michaela on the other hand, ends up on a ferry leaving her longtime home, and Simone’s sister Devon decides to skip the sexy yacht trip she was invited to and return with her father to continue to focus on taking care of him. Obviously, after growing attached to this trio of characters across the five episodes, I instantly was curious about where each of their fates would take them after the credits rolled.

Like, where is Michaela really going to go after losing all her money and status? And, is Simone really going to last as Peter’s new partner, and how will her promotion of sorts lead her life next? I also want to know how Devon’s relationship with her dad and taking care of him will develop after this wild trip to see her sister.

However, The Ending Gave Me All The Closure I Need

Given my praise for Sirens, you’d think I’d want to see another season, however, I really don’t think the story would necessarily benefit from being an ongoing series. Even though I am curious about what’s next for all the characters, I think the insular story it tells is more interesting than anything a second season could tell me following its finale. And I think the last episode wonderfully brings home the messaging of Sirens with these words between Michaela and Devon on the ferry:

• Devon: “You think my sister’s gonna be okay with him?”
• Michaela: “No. Well, who knows, you know? I’m sure Jocelyn thought the same thing about me, but I had a pretty good run. Took him 13 years to decide that I was a monster.”
• Devon: “You’re not a monster, Michaela.”
• Michaela: “Neither is she.”

At its core, I personally think Sirens is about cycles of privilege and trauma, and when Simone chooses her path to become Michaela, it’s not because the writers have a grand plan for her coming up, it’s to illustrate how easily women are replaceable to a billionaire like Peter, and how Simone’s traumatic childhood is what is leading her to betray the women close to her and selfishly choose affluence over connection and responsibility.

I Think It's Actually More Powerful To Leave Sirens Be

The thing is, I think we’re supposed to be both frustrated with Simone by the end of the show and also understand her choice. It’s clearly established that Simone had a really traumatic childhood where her alcoholic father abandoned her and left her to basically starve at one point, and how being taken in by an affluent woman who needs her for every little thing was kind of perfect for her.

But, when Michaela abandons her by firing her and she realizes she’ll have to move back in with her father, she finds a way to stay in her fantasy by going to Peter. It’s her means of survival. There’s something powerful in sitting in this ending and knowing she’ll make a lot of the same mistakes Michaela did, and then be thrown away at some point, too.

I think sometimes Hollywood forgets that one story with a beginning, middle and an end is absolutely enough. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it needs a sequel. It just means the creators made something good, and should get hired again, and that could be for something completely different and new. I want to see more trust in original ideas; part of why Sirens was interesting to me. The ending is going to stick with me because I’m not sure what will happen to Simone, Michaela and Devon after the ending, because what the series had to say on its own is enough.

The superhero genre continues to be a driving force in the entertainment industry, and we're getting a new cinematic universe with the DCU, courtesy of to co-CEO James Gunn. The first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, and will feature Milly Alcock as Supergirl. The House of the Dragon actress recently revealed her initial terrified reaction to the role... as well as the fun way she ultimately celebrated the DC gig.

What we know about Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is limited, but Alcock has already wrapped her solo movie. The fandom is eager to see her debut in upcoming DC movies, although she was originally nervous about landing the role. As she shared in an interview with Elle:

The DCEU (which will be streaming with a Max subscription) is going to have countless eyes on it, so I can't really blame Alcock for her doubt after signing on the dotted line. After all, she'll likely be playing Supergirl for years to come. Luckily some bubbly help to relieve that tension.

Rather than having to jump in with her own solo movie, Milly Alcock is expected to have a role in Superman. I have to assume this helped her find her footing in the burgeoning shared universe. And given her tenure in House of the Dragon it's not like this is her first time flying through a major IP.

Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order are curious about how the new shared universe will function. But it sounds like James Gunn is methodically bringing it together, including lengthy audition processes. In the same interview, the star of Sirens (streaming with a Netflix subscription) spoke about what it was like fighting for the role of Supergirl. In her words:

Since she's already wrapped her role in both Superman and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, it's safe to assume that Alcock was able to overcome her fears about the role. And I'm eager to see what types of crossovers are coming her way, as Gunn is reportedly trying to ensure that all the DCU media is interconnected.

All will be revealed when Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow hits theaters June 26th, 2026. But first up is Superman on July 11th as part of the 2025 movie release list.

SPOILERS for Sirens are ahead!

I’ll admit it took me an episode or two of Sirens, the new five-part miniseries available with a Netflix subscription, to hook me. At first, I didn’t like it and was unfavorably comparing it to The White Lotus, mostly because of the choice of music Sirens used. Then, about halfway through the second episode, we were introduced to the until-then mysterious Peter Kell, played by Kevin Bacon.

I immediately liked the character. Sure, it helps that Kevin Bacon is incredibly charming both on and off screen, but I also just liked how nice Pete was. Up to that point, we’d really only met some horrible people, like the conniving Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore), her ruthlessly ambitious assistant Simone DeWitt (Milly Alcock), and Simone’s tragic sister Devon (Meghann Fahy). All three were obnoxious in their own way. Then there was Pete.

He Was Nice To The Help And Seemed Down To Earth (For A Billionaire)

Sirens sets Pete up as the nice guy. Sure, he’s a billionaire who probably stepped on a lot of people on his way up the financial ladder, but he was a kind person. He got to know the people who worked for them and seemed to have a real connection with many of them. Many had clearly been loyal to him, even as the group texts between staff members trashed Simone and Michaela, or “Kiki,” as she was known to her friends.

As the series progressed, it seemed like Pete was victim of his wife Kiki’s manipulations just like everyone else in her orbit. He’d cheated on his wife, which can be unforgivable, but we learn just how persuasive Kiki is, and I began to understand how it happened. Or I thought I did, anyway.

Still, Pete likes to clam and then make clam chowder with his staff in the kitchen. He smokes the occasional doobie and is seemingly at ease with everyone he meets; even the wildest characters on the show, like Devon and her father Bruce (Bill Camp). Most importantly, he clearly loathes some of the ridiculous requests made of him and the staff by his overbearing wife and is never afraid to offer his unvarnished opinion.

Boy, Was I Wrong About Pete, Though

In the end, it turns out Pete is as bad or worse than all the other silly rich people on whatever New England island enclave they are existing on in Sirens. For Pete, cheating on his wife and moving right on to the next young thing seems to be second nature. He thinks nothing of ditching Kiki when she’s no longer serving him and moving right on to Simone.

At one point, Kiki even explains that they are all working for Pete. It doesn’t seem like for most of the show. Kiki appears to be the one making all the decisions. However, in Pete's final scene, as he is making his toast at the garden gala with Simone by his side mere moments after dumping Kiki, we learn that he’s just as heartless and sociopathic as anyone else on the show. Maybe more so.

Just like so many others around him, I was completely taken in by Pete’s charms, only to be let down at the end when I learned he’s just like everyone else. It’s truly one of Kevin Bacon’s best performances because of it.

I can’t remember the last time I watched a show that hooked me like Sirens. A few days ago, I had no idea it existed. Now, after consuming all five episodes, I’m watching every YouTube analysis video and reading every interview in an effort to stay on the island a little longer. I just can’t mentally get on the ferry and leave, and I don’t know why.

The limited series is creatively weird, has a jumpy unnerving tone and some obvious storytelling issues, but also, I’m entirely under its spell and desperate to stay, even if it means starting to say “hey hey.”

On the surface, Michaela’s “hey hey” catch phrase means nothing. It’s not as quirky as Gretchen Wieners’ “fetch” or as consequential as Columbo’s “just one more thing,” but it does a great job of explaining her character’s vibe. It’s like Matthew McConaughey’s “alright alright alright.” You see the way she expresses it and the tone she says it in and sort of intuitively understand her character, especially when Simone dutifully repeats it back.

Recently, Variety asked creator Molly Smith Metzler where it came from, and in a way, I think the backstory explains so much about the show. Here’s a portion of her quote…

The fact that the actual catch phrase is “hey hey” is random and meaningless. What’s actually important is that Michaela says it, and that makes everyone else want to say. They say it not because “hey hey” is so great. They say it because they, like me, are obsessed with being on the island. They’re obsessed with being a part of that world and spending time in the cliff house. That means fitting in, sharing gum and embracing and assigning meaning to everything, even if there’s not any inherent meaning.

Michaela actually says something similar during her final scene. Devon asks her what “hey hey” means, and she gives an almost shockingly frank answer. It’s just something she says. Here’s the quote…

You’re either in or you’re out. If you want to be in, you have to follow the rules, whether you agree with them or not, whether they have any inherent meaning or not. That means no smoking, and it also means, if the lady of the island says “hey hey,” you better respond with a “hey hey” right back.

Sirens just premiered this weekend. All five episodes of the limited series are now streaming for free with a Netflix subscription. Do yourself a favor and check it out. Julianne Moore, Milly Alcock, Meghann Fahy and Kevin Bacon are all fantastic, and the support cast is really stacked too.

I have a new title to add to the best shows to binge-watch on Netflix, and it's Sirens. For me, the thrilling miniseries kind of came out of nowhere, but I’ve been zooming right through it, and it’s very much worth a watch if you have a Netflix subscription. I’m personally almost done with the series, which is currently No. 1 amongst TV shows on the aforementioned platform's Top 10. At the while, I still can’t stop thinking about that gum swapping scene from the first episode. Now, I've learned some wild facts about it.

Sirens does a great job of illustrating how Milly Alcock’s Simone is a bit too close and intimate with her boss early in the series. That's evident when Julianne Moore’s Michaela asks Simone, her live-in assistant, to help her sext her husband. But the one scene that got me thinking is the moment when Michaela asks Simone to take her gum to improve the scent of her breath as they enter a function. I thought it had to be real, and turns out I was right. Here's what Alcock told Yahoo Canada:

I mean, there wasn’t really any way around it, was there? While I would definitely be repulsed if I saw someone do this in real life, I guess it’s theoretically the same as swapping spit during a make-out scene, which definitely tends to be part of the job of an actor. However, Alcock shared one way it could have been worse:

So not only did they swap gum, but they did so for multiple takes. This anecdote sure isn't for the germaphobes of the world. As it stands, the scene is wild enough, but it would've been repulsive had it involved the gum becoming stringy and getting caught in someone’s teeth. It's interesting that Alcock was sure that particular version would make it in the show. Ultimately, though, I guess the filmmakers decided to spare us on that. (Thanks, guys.)

25-year-old Milly Alcock is just getting her start in Hollywood, and now she has an odd story (or brag?): sharing gum with Oscar winner Julianne Moore. The Australian actor made her breakthrough via the fantasy series House of the Dragon, playing the role of young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. More recently, she wrapped on the Supergirl movie and is expected to make her debut as Kara Zor-El in this summer’s Superman movie.

As for Sirens, Alcock is incredible as Simone, and I’m really enjoying watching her play the assistant to Moore’s enigmatic socialite as her older sister, Devon (played by Meaghan Fahy) rocks the boat of her pastel-colored life when she desperately visits her in hopes of getting some assistance for their sick father. It's safe to say this is a show that's going to stick with me, as that gum surely stuck to those teeth.

Check out Sirens for yourself right now. Also, read up on the titles that are set to hit the 2025 Netflix schedule of releases. Also, watch Alcock's best movie and TV performances.

Fans of the superhero genre certainly have their eyes on the upcoming Superman movie from James Gunn. The most popular superhero of all time getting a brand new film adaptation that's also helping launch a new DC big screen cinematic universe is a big deal. But the franchise is already moving forward with next summer’s big offering Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and star Milly Alcock is clearly excited… and also bruised.

With Superman going into production ahead of Supergirl, Indiewire asked Alcock if she got any advice for her movie from the Superman cast. According to her, she didn’t get so much advice as she got a warning that she was going to come out of the experience a little beat up, and that she’d love every minute of it. She explained…

It's unclear who specifically gave Alcock this advice. We've seen David Corenswet looking pretty beat up in the Superman trailers, but I assumed that was just makeup.

Considering that Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is, as far as we know, an outer space superhero adventure, it’s likely to be a movie with more than its fair share of CGI. As such, we might not expect it to be the sort of action movie that leaves bruises and scars on its actors, but it looks like Milly Alcock went pretty hard in playing Supergirl.

But this is honestly pretty cool news. If Milly Alcock got some bumps, bruises and scars, it was likely in the service of a pretty action-packed superhero movie. There’s a lot we don’t know about the film beyond some of the cast and the comic book that the story is based on, but I’m hoping to see Supergirl go one-on-one with Jason Momoa’s Lobo if for no other reason than such a fight would be really cool to see.

Considering the last time that Supergirl got to headline her own movie was in the ill-fated 1984 Supergirl with Helen Slater, we can at least make an assumption that the new movie won’t turn out like that one. I can’t imagine anybody ended up with scars from the action in that one.

Filming has officially wrapped on the new Supergirl movie, and while some amount of reshoots are all but certain, the movie will largely enter the long post-production phase. Which, again, due to the film’s setting and genre, probably means a lot of digital effects work, possibly even more so than Superman itself.

Hopefully, the various players of the upcoming DC movies don't get too beat up making their films. There's an entire cinematic universe on the way, and so many of them are going to be called upon frequently to play these roles.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, and fans are eager to see how upcoming DC movies play out in the new shared universe being formed by co-CEO James Gunn. House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock is set to play Supergirl in the shared universe, and recently confirmed that her solo flick Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has officially wrapped production. But I've still got a lingering question about her role. Namely, how much we'll see of her in Superman.

What we know about Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is limited so far, so news that the blockbuster has actually wrapped production is thrilling. In an interview with Extra TV, Alcock spoke coyly bout her time in the DCU. When speaking about her solo flick, she offered:

And just like that, yet another DC project has wrapped production. The first slate of projects, titled Gods and Monsters, is coming together... even if we're still waiting on James Gunn's Superman to get things started on the big screen. Speaking of which, I'm going to need information about her rumored role in the project. Is it just a cameo, or a real role in Gunn's blockbuster? It's unclear, but I'm sure I'm not the only moviegoers with this lingering question.

Alcock's reported role in Superman is somewhat controversial, as some moviegoers are worried that Gunn's movie has too many characters in it. Indeed, the Superman cast list (as well as its limited footage) hints that the filmmaker is creating a true ensemble project. And we know, Superman has a number of other heroes besides its title character, including Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, Mister Terrific and Metamorpho.

Obviously, Milly Alcock has been sworn to secrecy, so perhaps we shouldn't have expected her to actually comment about Superman during this recent interview. It's likely up to the powers that be at the studio, including James Gunn himself, to reveal exactly if/how Supergirl will factor into his DC flick. I'd love to see her pop up in a trailer, but the footage for Superman has been very limited.

It remains to be seen if Supergirl ends up being one of Milly Alcock's best roles. But her acclaimed performance in House of the Dragon is proof that she's got some serious acting chops, even while doing genre work.

Superman will hit theaters on July 11th as part of the 2025 movie release list, and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will follow suit on June 26th, 2026. And I'm ready to see Milly Alcock once again take to the skies, this time without needing to ride a dragon.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is working to get its feet back under it with the box office debut of Captain America: Brave New World. However, even if Marvel continues to struggle, there is hope on the horizon for superhero fans in the form of James Gunn’s new DCU. This summer will get the first of the upcoming DC movies set in this new world with Superman, but I’m also already looking forward to next summer and Supergirl: World of Tomorrow.

There are a lot of reason to be excited about the upcoming Supergirl movie. It’s the first film starring the character in decades, which will set it apart from the previous DC universe in a big way right out of the gate. Also, the Supergirl cast includes an inspired choice with Jason Momoa taking on the role of Lobo – and a new fan-created movie poster on Instagram looks like just what I hope this movie will look like.

It's a simple image, but it makes me want to see more. Seeing these characters together – who might be antagonists in the story but could just as easily end up unlikely allies – is going to be amazing.

James Gunn’s Superman movie looks to be a pretty traditional take on the character, a spiritual successor to the Richard Donner films right down to the reuse of the original John Williams theme in the trailers. Supergirl: World of Tomorrow, however, is set to be an outer space story, with Superman’s cousin finding a very different post-Krypton life.

The confirmation that Jason Momoa was on board to play Lobo made this movie significantly more intriguing. Momoa had previously indicated that while he was done playing Aquaman, James Gunn had asked him to do… something in the DCU. He had previously expressed a desire to play Lobo, the intergalactic bounty hunter of DC Comics, and we knew that whatever Gunn wanted made Momoa very excited. A lot of fans were guessing that exactly this was going to happen, but the confirmation was still fantastic.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has only recently started filming ahead of a release date in the summer of 2026. It will be hitting theaters about a full year after Superman, it will be the second DC movie on the big screen and likely the fourth project of the larger DC universe. Creature Commandos was the first official entry in the franchise and Peacemaker Season 2 is expected to drop later this year – though an official release date hasn’t been announced yet.

With other DC projects, like the two different Batman movies (Matt Reeves' The Batman: Part II and the DCU's Batman: The Brave And The Bold) seemingly in endless development, it’s exciting that another movie is on the way. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is something that should be different enough from Superman that despite the characters being connected, it may appeal to a segment of the audience that the other big movie may not. There’s a lot of different stuff to get excited about in the DC universe.

We’re a little over six months away from the film side of the DC Universe getting underway with James Gunn’s Superman, and the following summer, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will follow in its footsteps on the big screen. House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock will star as Kara Zor-El, and Gunn, who also co-runs DC Studios, has announced that the upcoming DC movie has begun filming. With this news has also come a seemingly interesting detail about Alcock’s version of Kara.

Both Gunn and Alcock shared on Instagram and other social media platforms the same picture of the latter parked in one of those director chairs that can be found on movie and TV sets to commemorate the start of principal photography at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. See for yourself below, and take a close look at the S symbol on the back of the chair.

Now it should be of no surprise that Supergirl will be wearing the same insignia on her chest as her cousin Kal-El/Clark Kent, since this is the crest for the House of El on Krypton. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that while the S itself on the shield is red just like with Superman’s, the background color is navy blue rather than yellow a departure from what Kara wears in the comics. To be certain, I brightened the picture and that is definitely a different color from the chair Milly Alcock is sitting on.

Now, I will acknowledge that this version of the S shield could simply be a design choice for Milly Alcock’s chair on the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow set, if not all the chair there. However, if that was the case, then why not just go with the classic red and yellow S shield that David Corenswet’s Supes will be rocking later this year on the 2025 movies schedule? I’m thinking we’ll actually see Alcock wearing this red and navy blue color scheme in the Supergirl movie.

So if I’m correct, then why the subtle change? My best guess is that this is meant to signify the different sides of the El family. In the comics, Kara Zor-El’s father is the brother of Jor-El, Superman’s father. So although both sides would use the same crest to represent their family, this would be a way to distinguish the separate units. Or maybe Kara just thought that the darker blue would be a better choice for her superhero costume.

This is all speculation on my part for now, but regardless, it’s good to hear that Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is rolling cameras. The Craig Gillespie-directed and Ana Nogueira-written movie will see Kara embarking into space on her 21st birthday and going on a “murderous quest of revenge” after encounters a young girl named Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley. Matthias Schoenaerts is playing Krem of the Yellow Hills, the criminal who killed Ruthye’s father; David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham will portray Kara’s parents; and Jason Momoa will make his first appearance as Lobo.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow hits theaters on June 26, 2026. However, there are reports that Milly Alcock will debut as Kara in Superman, which opens on July 11.

A few days ago, news broke that Milly Alcock’s Supergirl would be appearing in the upcoming Superman adaptation. In addition, we got some casting news on her family. More specifically, we were told veterans David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham would be playing her parents. Most fans seemed pretty pleased with the new developments, but there was a very vocal minority on social media who all seemed to have the same complaint: how many freakin’ characters are going to be in James Gunn’s Superman movie?

I get. Believe me. I get it. There are a lot of characters confirmed for this movie, or at least heavily rumored to be a part of it. In addition to Clark Kent and Lois Lane, we also have Lex Luthor, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific and Metamorpho. Then we have Clark Kent’s parents and Kara’s newly cast parents. Plus, even though Jason Momoa’s Lobo is reportedly making his debut in the Supergirl movie, there are, of course, some who are convinced he might show up here too. In short, it’s a lot that we already know about, and given Gunn’s history of world-building and love for cameos, it’s likely there’s a lot more we don’t know about yet.

So, on the one hand, I get some of the fans complaining on social about this movie feeling overstuffed, or the movie feeling like it’s a new version of Justice League. People are hyped to see a new take on Superman, and if there are too many things going on or there’s too much active work being put into the larger universe, it could come at the expense of the Superman movie itself. After all, the most important thing here is for all of us to leave the theater wanting more Superman. If the movie itself isn’t good, this new take on the DC Universe is going to have a massive uphill battle, whether seeds were planted for other stories and additional characters or not.

But on the other hand, we all need to chill out. My colleague Adam Holmes wrote up a piece the other day about the casting and talked about how we don’t even know if Krumholtz and Beecham are going to be playing Kara’s Kryptonian parents or her adoptive Earth parents. Either way, we have no idea if they’re going to be seen in a brief flashback or they’re going to be a very present part of the narrative, and the same goes for Kara herself. Gunn has said he’s not making new origin story movies, but there’s a difference between giving glimpses of a character’s backstory and telling the entire journey from baby to adult.

I don’t want a Superman movie that’s filled with incessant cameos and little hints of what’s to come down the line. I don’t want a revolving door of and here’s this guy and here’s this lady. That’s not going to be helpful to telling Superman’s story, but if the goal here is to launch a universe, there’s no reason why there can’t be little moments and hints that nod to the very specific universe they’re living in. I bet Kevin Feige would have made a few changes to some of the early Marvel movies if he knew he was creating a large universe with all the MCU characters explored over dozens of movies.

James Gunn has earned my confidence, especially after that fantastic Superman trailer. Yes, many of his movies like Guardians Of The Galaxy and Suicide Squad have a ton of characters in them, but his track record shows that he has a good sense for keeping the story he wants to tell at the center. So, personally, no matter how many casting announcements we get, I’m going to remain optimistic while we wait for Superman to fly off the upcoming movie schedule and into theaters.

Given the fact that the DC Universe is just getting off of the ground, I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the number of exciting upcoming projects they have on the slate. The first step into James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU – the animated series Creature Commandos – hadn’t even delivered its season finale before word was shared that Creature Commandos Season 2 was greenlit. The Internet was buzzing near the end of 2024 after Gunn delivered the first official trailer for his pending Superman movie, arriving in theaters on July 11. And we already know that Lanterns and Supergirl are in various forms of production. Given the fact that the latter has begin filming, DC Comics icon Tom King took to social media to celebrate in the coolest way possible.

Tom King published the eight-issue limited series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2021, and it’s his work on which the new movie – starring Milly Alcock in the title role of Kara Zor-El – will be based. To commemorate the launch of filming, King went on Instagram and shared a textless version of the cover of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1. And if this is a clear indication that the movie will follow the source material, we’re about to witness something unlike anything we’ve seen from a major superhero blockbuster. Here’s the image that Tom King shared:

Take a long look at that image, and you will start to understand why James Gunn and his Supergirl director Craig Gillespie wanted Milly Alcock to move from House of the Dragon to DC. Kara Zor-El wields a mighty sword in the artwork from Tom King’s book, and appears ready to charge into battle. There are no dragons in this story… but there might as well be.

You know who is on that book cover? A certain super-powered dog who we met in the Superman trailer. That’s right, Krypto plays a significant part in Tom King’s story, and he better show up in Craig Gillespie’s movie, otherwise, what the heck are we all doing here?

In addition to the cover art, Tom King also shared this fan creation on his IG reel. So he's fired up for the Supergirl movie!

The rest of the story for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is heavy science-fiction, with Kara (Milly Alcock) accompanying a young alien across the galaxy on a vengeance mission against Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). Which instantly proves that this is a story we haven’t seen told on screen before, in different iterations. There’s familiarity with Superman, in that it includes Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and the staples of that mythology. But by adapting Tom King’s work, Gillespie proves he’s attempting to show something completely different.

And for DC Comics fans, that’s very exciting.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is down for a release date of June 26, 2026, so expect to hear a lot more of it as this year rolls along.