LOS ANGELES, CA January 2, 2026 – DC Studios co-CEO and filmmaker James Gunn has shared new insights into the upcoming “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” clarifying that the film will not be a strict adaptation of the acclaimed comic book it’s inspired by. The comments, made during a recent appearance on Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, highlight Gunn’s approach to balancing fidelity to the source with creative freedom in the expanding DC Universe (DCU).
“I love Milly Alcock in the movie. It’s a space fantasy which is, like Guardians in a way, but based on the Tom King book,” Gunn stated in the interview. “It doesn’t follow it religiously, but it has a lot of the core of that there. I’m really excited for people to see it and see Milly.”
The Tom King book in question is the 2021-2022 miniseries “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” written by King with art by Bilquis Evely. The story follows Kara Zor-El (Supergirl) on a cosmic journey of vengeance and self-discovery, blending elements of space opera with themes of loss and heroism. Gunn’s reference to his “Guardians of the Galaxy” films suggests a tonal similarity, emphasizing ensemble adventures in outer space, though adapted to fit Supergirl’s narrative.
Directed by Craig Gillespie (“Cruella,” “I, Tonya”), the film stars Milly Alcock (“House of the Dragon”) as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, marking her debut in the role. The cast also includes Matthias Schoenaerts as the villain Krem of the Yellow Hills, and rumors persist about potential appearances from other DCU characters, including Jason Momoa as Lobo. Production wrapped earlier this year, with a theatrical release scheduled for June 26, 2026.
Gunn’s remarks come amid heightened anticipation for the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate, following the success of 2025’s “Superman,” which grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide. In the same Variety podcast, Gunn discussed the challenges of helming “Superman” and teased the sequel “Man of Tomorrow,” focusing on the dynamic between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor. However, his Supergirl comments have sparked debate among fans, with some expressing concern over deviations from the beloved comic.
The announcement, first amplified by film news account DiscussingFilm on X, included two new promotional images of Alcock in her Supergirl costume—a blue suit with the iconic S-shield, paired with a brown trench coat—evoking a gritty, undercover vibe against a cracked blue backdrop. The post garnered over 277,000 views, 5,800 likes, and hundreds of replies within hours.
Fan reactions on X and Reddit were mixed. Some praised Gunn’s vision, with one X user noting, “Ppl are gonna be mad as hell, but the reason why he mentioned guardians of the galaxy cause the supergirl movie that’s based on the woman of tomorrow comic is also ‘space adventure’ film.” Others were critical, fearing a repeat of past adaptations that strayed too far: “It’s just a guardians of the galaxy reboot. Gonna be ass man,” read one reply. On Reddit’s r/DC_Cinematic, users debated the merits of loose adaptations, with one commenting, “I’m glad it’s not following Woman of Tomorrow religiously, mainly because I’m not the biggest fan of King’s writing style.”
Critics of strict comic adherence pointed to successful precedents like Gunn’s own “Guardians” films, which took liberties while capturing the essence of the characters. Defenders argued that the core themes—Supergirl’s “anti-hero” journey and emotional baggage—remain intact, as Gillespie described in a prior Variety interview: “This is really an anti-hero story. She’s got a lot of baggage and a lot of demons coming into this.”
As DC Studios continues to build its interconnected universe, Gunn emphasized in the podcast a commitment to diverse storytelling without a rigid “house style,” allowing each project to stand on its own. With “Peacemaker” Season 2 and “Lanterns” also on the horizon, “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” represents a key test of this philosophy. For more updates, listen to the full Variety Awards Circuit Podcast episode or follow DC Studios announcements.
Source : Variety
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