Supergirl 2026: Hope for the Woman of Tomorrow
Article by Karlee Lyons
I'm sure you've heard the story of supergirl, but you never heard it from her.
Craig Gillespie's upcoming Supergirl film has the potential to change this! A follow-up to her brief appearance in Superman (2025), this June Supergirl will be getting her own solo movie for the first time since 1984 and it is easily my most anticipated film of the year. Australian actress Milly Alcock will be the fifth actress to take on the role of supergirl in live action. And
Full disclosure, as a huge fan of both the character and the actress. I think Milly is set to deliver a stellar performance especially considering the comic that this film chose to adapt and its unique characterization of the character. The film will be following the critically acclaimed 2022 “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” comic written by Tom King.
The story follows Kara Zor-El (Supergirl) as she's approached by a young girl named Ruthye, whose world (much like karas) was destroyed, as she enlists Supergirl on her quest for revenge. Leading Kara to confront her past and her current position living in the aftermath of her planet's destruction and Superman's shadow. And if the epic, Blondie soundtracked trailer is any indication, the film seems to be following the comics pretty faithfully so read the rest at your own discretion at risk of film spoilers.
It's the characterization of Kara in this specific comic that I think sets the woman of tomorrow's story apart from other supergirls of the past as well as her cousin, for one reason. Unlike Superman, Supergirl grew up on Krypton and witnessed its destruction. It's a simple fact, but an incredibly important one seeing as it completely changes Supergirl's outlook on life and this is an aspect of the character that unlike prior stories, the comic never shied away from.
“She lived in her world, and she watched it die”
(a quote from Woman Of Tomorrow)
I think the choice to use this story gives this film the potential to do something the 1984 movie as well as the CW series were never able to. Make supergirl her own character . Milly Alcock says this -“I think people are expecting a sidekick film to superman, like she's kinda in the periphery of his world. But what they're actually gonna get is a really kickass supergirl” As much as I enjoyed both Helen Slater and Melissa Benoist’s performances as supergirl, they never really felt like SUPERGIRL. They just felt like a gender-bent versions of superman, with a bright outlook on the world and life as a whole. The previous live action adaptations never really delved into Kara's past and how her upbringing would realistically give her a much less sunny disposition than Clark Kent, who was raised to see the beauty in everyone and everything. I am not the only one who believes Milly Alcock was a perfect choice for this more jaded version of supergirl, seeing as the films producer and co head of dc studios James Gunn says “Supergirl was raised on a chunk of a disintegrated planet. People were dying all around her. She's not superman and she's definitely not Clark Kent Milly brings this rock and roll vibe to the character” in short, Milly is finally going to give us a supergirl that is truly herself. A supergirl that isn't a perfect person, I mean who would be after witnessing their entire world collapse around them. We're finally getting a supergirl who must overcome her past. A supergirl who is just as much a girl as she is super. As Alcock says- “It's a very empowering story, one about resilience. You can be your own hero”
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow panel by Bilquis Evely, Matheus Lopez and Tom King. Courtesy of DC Comics.
-“What's Superman like?”
“He sees the good in everyone. I see the truth.”
(A quote from the Supergirl 2026 trailer)
If Clark Kent's ‘Superman’ is the last son of Krypton. Kara Zor-El’s ‘Supergirl’ is truly the last kryptonian, One is fueled by hope, the other by hurt. Superman (2025) showed what it is to be human, Supergirl (2026) will show what it is to overcome. And I am holding out hope that this movie will deliver full force on all that it's promising and breathe new life into the character of Supergirl.
There is one quote from The Woman of Tomorrow comic that I think perfectly sums up what makes Supergirl such an important figure in the world of superheroes.
“Worlds will live and worlds will die and evil will carve its name into the innocent and good people will do good acts and suffer all the same. And everywhere girls will be born with their eyes open to the hate ahead of them, and they will wonder if their voices will be heard above the screams. And in that moment of doubt they will learn, as I have learned, of the legend of supergirl, who lost everything and kept on walking. Then they will settle themselves, content in their power, knowing someone out there has survived the storm. That tomorrow, when malice will make its attempt and help is begged from the heavens, there is a woman waiting.”
And if the movie is able to capture even an ounce of what this quote strove to convey. There really is hope for the legacy of The Woman Of Tomorrow.
Watch the Supergirl trailer now!