DC Studios just dropped the first official trailer for “Supergirl,” and it’s making one thing crystal clear: Kara Zor-El is nothing like her sunny cousin Clark Kent.
This isn’t your typical superhero origin story.
Following a private Manhattan preview event hosted by co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran alongside director Craig Gillespie and star Milly Alcock, the trailer reveals a grittier, darker take on the Kryptonian hero.
And fans are already buzzing about what makes this version so radically different.
A Supergirl Who Sees the Truth, Not Just the Good
The opening line of the trailer sets the tone perfectly. While Superman famously sees goodness in everyone, Alcock’s Kara takes a more cynical approach.
He sees the good in everyone. And I see the truth.
Set to Blondie’s iconic “Call Me,” the footage picks up after Supergirl’s cameo at the end of Gunn’s “Superman” film. We see her stumbling into the Fortress of Solitude to retrieve Krypto, her super-powered dog.
But this isn’t a triumphant moment of heroism. Instead, viewers watch a bleary-eyed Kara blow out a single birthday candle in a dimly lit room, wishing desperately for things to improve.
Twenty-three will be the best year yet. Let’s be honest, babe. It’s not a very high bar to clear.
An Anti-Hero Story with Serious Baggage
Director Craig Gillespie didn’t mince words when describing the film’s approach at the Manhattan event.
This is really an anti-hero story. She’s got a lot of baggage and a lot of demons coming into this, which is very different from where Superman is in his life.
While the exact source of Kara’s inner turmoil remains under wraps, Gillespie made it clear that her emotional struggles will drive the entire narrative. This departure from traditional superhero storytelling positions “Supergirl” as something genuinely fresh within the DC universe.
The trailer showcases Supergirl navigating grungy, intergalactic colonies filled with questionable humanoid aliens. The aesthetic evokes the chaotic, lived-in universe Gunn perfected in his “Guardians of the Galaxy” films—a far cry from Metropolis’s gleaming skyscrapers.
Jason Momoa’s Lobo Makes His First Appearance
Eagle-eyed viewers caught a brief glimpse of Jason Momoa as Lobo, the cigar-chomping, motorcycle-riding alien mercenary. According to Gunn, casting Momoa in this role was always part of his vision for DC Studios.
Lobo is expected to play a significant role in the film, adding another layer of unpredictability to Kara’s journey through these dangerous cosmic territories.
Milly Alcock: Gunn’s Dream Casting from Day One
Gunn’s enthusiasm for Alcock predates his official role at DC Studios. During what he described as a “fantasizing” phone call with Safran about the cinematic universe’s future, he pitched the “House of the Dragon” star immediately.
You know who’d be great as Supergirl? That little girl from ‘House of the Dragon.’ I think she’s really got something special about her.
Alcock herself seems to be processing the magnitude of the moment. After watching the completed trailer at the event, her reaction was genuinely emotional.
It’s so weird, in the best way. It’s really surreal seeing everyone’s work come together. It’s going to happen. Shit.
A Punk, Imperfect Female Superhero
Gunn has built his Hollywood reputation on crafting flawed, relatable characters within superhero universes. With “Supergirl,” he’s bringing that same approach to female heroes in a way that feels overdue.
So many times female superheroes are so perfect. She’s not that at all. She’s very imperfect, like male superheroes have been allowed to be for a while.
This “punk” direction, as Gunn describes it, gives Kara the complexity and moral ambiguity that has made characters like Tony Stark and Batman so compelling. She’s allowed to struggle, make mistakes, and carry darkness—qualities that make heroes feel human despite their extraordinary abilities.
Not Just a Female Clone of Superman
Gunn was emphatic about establishing “Supergirl” as its own entity, completely separate from her cousin’s story.
This movie is not just a female clone of Superman. It’s its own thing entirely with a character who is equally worthy of this treatment.
He also addressed ongoing speculation about Warner Bros. theatrical releases following the Netflix acquisition, emphasizing DC Studios’ commitment to unique, story-driven cinema experiences.
This is a story-based medium, we want stories to be in theaters that are cool and different from each other.
The Creative Team and Cast
Craig Gillespie, known for his work on “Cruella” and “I, Tonya,” directs from a script by Ana Nogueira. Nogueira is also penning the upcoming “Wonder Woman” reboot, suggesting DC’s commitment to fresh voices in their female-led projects.
The film is based on Tom King’s acclaimed comic series “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” which offered a mature, complex take on the character.
The cast includes:
- Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl
- Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills, the lead villain
- Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, who recruits Supergirl to avenge her father’s murder
- Jason Momoa as Lobo, the alien mercenary
- David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham as Supergirl’s parents
- Krypto the Superdog returns for more action
What Makes This Supergirl Different
Everything about this project signals a departure from conventional superhero storytelling. The gritty aesthetic, the anti-hero framing, the emphasis on emotional baggage—these elements combine to create something that feels genuinely fresh.
By allowing Kara to be messy, cynical, and imperfect, Gunn and his team are giving audiences a female hero who breaks the mold. She’s not defined by her relationship to Superman or required to be inspirational at every turn.
Instead, she’s a fully realized character dealing with real trauma and darkness while still trying to do the right thing. That’s what makes great heroes memorable—not their perfection, but their struggle to be better despite their flaws.
“Supergirl” hits theaters on June 26, promising to deliver a superhero experience unlike anything DC has attempted before. Based on the trailer and the creative team’s passionate descriptions, this could be the film that finally gives female superheroes the complex, nuanced storytelling they deserve.