The Last Daughter of Krypton: James Gunn and Frank Quitely’s Superman

The DC Universe is expanding its cinematic scope with the upcoming film Supergirl, scheduled for release on June 26, 2026. Directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock, the project is based on the Eisner-winning comic series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely.

A new teaser trailer for the film has introduced a version of Kara Zor-El that differs significantly from previous live-action iterations of the character. Described as a hard-drinking, hard-cussing, and irreverent young woman, this version of Supergirl is presented as a stark contrast to the personality of her cousin, Superman.

Character Dynamics and Plot Details

The film’s narrative follows Kara as she searches for a planet with a red sun where she can get drunk. This characterization was further established in James Gunn’s Superman movie, where Kara is depicted as a woman who is not shy about calling Clark a bitch.

The teaser provides glimpses into Kara’s lifestyle, showing a bedroom floor littered with bottles. In one scene, the super-dog Krypto is seen urinating on a copy of the Daily Planet. The newspaper features a main headline stating Superman Saves Town from Nuclear Reactor Explosion, while a smaller headline notes that Supergirl Saves Cats, accompanied by a photo of an emotionless Kara holding several felines.

Additional elements highlighted in the trailer breakdown include the presence of the character Lobo, the location of Argo City, and situations where Krypto is placed in peril.

Connection to the DCU Superman Film

The character of Kara Zor-El first appeared in the DCU via a brief cameo in the Superman movie, where she arrived to pick up Krypto. This appearance occurred during a pivotal moment for Clark Kent, who discovered that his parents, Jor-El and Lara, had sent him to Earth with the intention of him ruling the planet rather than serving as its savior.

James Gunn has addressed why Kara did not warn Superman about this revelation, despite having spent more time on Krypton before its destruction than Clark did. The director’s explanations regarding this plot twist were detailed in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Production and Artistic Influences

The development of the broader DCU has been heavily influenced by classic comic material. During the production of Superman, James Gunn frequently referenced the artwork of Frank Quitely. Specifically, the cast and director have cited the twelve-issue miniseries All-Star Superman, written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quitely, as a primary inspiration.

For the Supergirl film, Alcock’s costume includes a duster jacket, a direct nod to the attire worn by the character in the Woman of Tomorrow comic and the upcoming movie.