James Gunn Explains Supergirl’s Pierced Ears in Superman

DC Studios co-chief James Gunn clarified on June 8, 2026, that Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) can have pierced ears because she visits planets with red suns to temporarily lose her invulnerability. Gunn also noted that Kara was raised on a piece of Krypton and didn’t possess superpowers until her teenage years, providing further opportunities for body jewelry.

James Gunn took to the social media platform Threads on June 8, 2026, to address a debate among fans regarding the physical capabilities of Kara Zor-El. The discussion began after online detractors analyzed promotional images for the upcoming Supergirl film, questioning how a character known for unbreakable skin could have pierced earlobes.

Gunn’s response pointed to established plot points from the 2025 film Superman, where Milly Alcock’s version of the character first appeared in the DC Universe.

How is Supergirl able to have pierced ears?

According to James Gunn, Kara Zor-El’s ability to get piercings is tied to the type of stellar radiation she is exposed to. While Earth’s yellow sun grants Kryptonians enhanced powers and invulnerability, red suns strip those abilities away.

As explained in Superman, the same way she gets drunk — she goes to a planet with a red sun. Not to mention she was raised on a chunk of Krypton so didn’t even experience super powers until her teens.

James Gunn via Threads

This means Kara can intentionally seek out environments that render her vulnerable to allow for things like body jewelry or the effects of alcohol.

Gunn’s explanation adds a layer to the character’s history by confirming she spent her early childhood on a fragment of her home planet. Because she didn’t develop her powers until she was a teenager, her body was susceptible to piercings during her younger years.

What was established in the 2025 Superman movie?

The logic behind Supergirl’s vulnerabilities was first introduced during her debut in the 2025 Superman movie. In a specific sequence, Kara crashes into the Fortress of Solitude to retrieve her dog, Krypto.

During this encounter, Superman explains the mechanics of their biology to his cousin. He notes that Kara likes to go and party on other planets … with red suns specifically because the red solar radiation removes the powers they gain from Earth’s yellow sun.

This narrative choice aligns with long-standing Kryptonian lore found in comic books, where the color of a sun determines the power level of a Kryptonian. By integrating this into the film’s dialogue, Gunn established a consistent internal logic for Kara’s lifestyle and physical appearance before the standalone Supergirl film arrives.

Milly Alcock continues her role as Kara Zor-El in the upcoming Supergirl feature, which will further explore the last daughter of Krypton’s journey as a refugee.