Why Supergirl Could Be the Most Important Movie in the New DCU

In the world of film, 2026 is a year filled with nostalgia, epic adaptations, and best of all—superheroes. As much as I love the Marvel Universe and cannot wait for Spider-Man and Doomsday, I can’t ignore what the new DC Universe is up to.

James Gunn has started to create a new DCU, and so far, it seems like it has potential. The biggest puzzle piece in the universe so far was the new Superman starring David Corenswet, which was received very well by audiences. At the end of that film, another very important character appeared to take back her dog. And less than a year later, we are already getting a movie with her as the focus. If you haven’t guessed it already—I am talking about Supergirl.

Supergirl’s Place in the New DCU

Unlike some previous attempts at creating a memorable DC universe that could actually compete with Marvel, Gunn’s version is expanding outward from Superman and diving deep into Kryptonian lore before even introducing many of DC’s other major characters. Which is precisely why Supergirl is the next big introduction.

In Superman, we got to see this positive, uplifting portrayal of Clark Kent, who was sent to Earth as an infant and raised by loving parents. Supergirl, also known as Kara Zor-El, wasn’t sent away as an infant but instead experienced the downfall of Krypton firsthand as a child. As a result, Kara’s story is likely to be a bit less sunshine-filled than Clark’s, but I think it will offer a great contrast. On one side, we see what a powerful Kryptonian can become when raised by a loving family, and on the other, we see what happens when someone equally powerful is shaped by grief, loneliness, and an unwilling life of independence.

Going forward, Kara is likely going to be one of the core heroes of the universe, right alongside her cousin. As for the other heroes and villains, Lobo, an anti-hero, will play a role in this film, which likely means he will be sticking around for future projects. Superman already introduced Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, and Mister Terrific, with Lex Luthor serving as an established villain—so that’s a good start.

But what about Batman? Or the Suicide Squad?

Apparently, Robert Pattinson’s Batman is not part of this universe, but rather a separate continuity known as Elseworlds. However, there are plans to introduce a new Batman into Gunn’s expanding universe, and for once, he will already have a Robin by his side.

As for Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad, they technically exist within this same universe, but it is unlikely any of them will make a cameo anytime soon. For now, our two Kryptonian cousins seem to be the focus, and honestly, I think it’s the right move.

The Comic Behind the Movie

We have already seen a few versions of Supergirl, one of which became a pretty successful television series. But none of those versions were inspired by the same comic as this film: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Created by Tom King and artist Bilquis Evely, the comic successfully establishes Supergirl as her own character rather than simply Superman’s cousin. It further highlights the differences between the two by telling a story that feels completely different from Superman’s. The recent Superman film was about hope and a character driven by positivity and a desire to do the right thing. This story, on the other hand, is rooted in grief, resilience, and a character shaped by loneliness and loss.

The premise of the comic involves Kara meeting a young alien girl named Ruthye, whose father has been murdered by a villain named Krem. After spending time exploring the galaxy on her own, Kara agrees to help Ruthye track him down and seek justice.

Even though it sounds like a typical adventure story where the heroes defeat a villain in the end, it really isn’t. The comic is more about revenge and the effect it has on people. And although Supergirl may be the title character, if the movie follows the comic closely, Ruthye will be just as important. The story belongs to both of them. Ruthye seeks justice for her family, while Kara carries the weight of seeking justice for an entire lost world.

The Cast

For the lead role, Milly Alcock was cast as Kara Zor-El, and honestly, it makes so much sense. Alcock isn’t an actress with a massive resume, but the role she is best known for was so well done that it gives me confidence she is the perfect fit.

And yes, the role I am talking about is her portrayal of young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon. She played a character who was emotionally chaotic in the best possible way and completely embodied her. She was reckless, stubborn, and emotionally vulnerable—all traits that align perfectly with the version of Kara we are likely to see in this film.

And just for fun, they added another actor from the Game of Thrones universe—Khal Drogo himself, or Jason Momoa if we’re using his real name.

 Momoa plays the anti-hero Lobo, and fans of the comic are ecstatic because he apparently looks almost exactly like the illustrated version of the character. Honestly, I’m not complaining because who doesn’t want to see Jason Momoa in a movie? But isn’t he already Aquaman in a previous DC universe? I know Marvel has made similar decisions, such as casting Chris Evans as Captain America after he played Johnny Storm, but I can’t help thinking there are other actors who would love the opportunity to step into a major superhero role.

At least this film has made it a point not to rely solely on big names. While Alcock is known for House of the Dragon, she isn’t the type of blockbuster star many would expect to headline such a major film.

Joining her is another relatively unknown actress, Eve Ridley, who will play Ruthye. She doesn’t have as much experience under her belt as some of the other cast members, but I’m sure she was chosen for a reason. Ruthye is essentially the heart of the story, so it’s a casting decision that could impact the entire film. While some might see it as a gamble, I’m betting she will rise to the occasion.

All in all, when it comes to 2026 superhero movie expectations, I think Supergirl is going to be a surprisingly great film that can easily compete with the MCU’s two blockbuster titans. As for whether it will help launch an epic DC universe capable of truly competing with Marvel, that is something we will simply have to wait and see.