The latest stage of the DC movie universe is finally here, and Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock.
Taking a different approach from James Gunn’s Superman (2025), Supergirl gives us a more sarcastic, jaded, and skeptical Kara Zor-El. From the trailer, this is a character Milly Alcock seems born to play. While only about two minutes long, the trailer gives a clear sense of the world and setting of the new DC tentpole release. Unlike Superman, which takes place mostly on Earth, Supergirl appears to be an adventure that will take the character around the galaxy and into a range of new experiences.
“Why Supergirl? Why now? Why Craig? Why Milly? The reasons are various, but the main one is that when Ana Nogueira wrote the Woman of Tomorrow script,” explained James Gunn, “it was fantastic. At DC Studios, we care most about the writing, so we instantly greenlit the movie. It was something I was very interested in making from before we even took over DC Studios.
I remember when the novel first came out — the graphic novel — when Peter and I were talking about taking over DC but had not decided yet. I called Peter and said, ‘Have you seen this book by Tom King, Woman of Tomorrow?’ I told him how great it was and what an interesting take it was on Supergirl.”
Opening with Krypto and what looks like a hungover Kara, the trailer wastes no time giving the audience a sense of the film’s tone. It also provides a clear look at Kara, how she behaves, and how this film will differ from the more idealistic view of Superman. Yet even with this more jaded take on the universe, the trailer shows Supergirl remains filled with action, lively dialogue, and plenty of Easter eggs for fans of DC lore and its characters.
“She’s had a completely different upbringing. She was brought up on a planet that was dying. Everyone she has ever known and loved is dead,” Milly Alcock explained when asked how her character differs from Clark. “She has a very big wall up, and she’s very skeptical of people. And Clark is the opposite of that. He’s overtly trusting. He expects the good in people. He’s had a very sheltered life. And he’s also pretending — Kara never pretends. If she’s not feeling well, you will know.”
Unlike Superman, Craig Gillespie is at the helm, working with a script by Ana Nogueira that brings the character to the big screen in a different way than we have seen in the past. Judging by the trailer, there is plenty to be excited about for fans of the comics and for anyone who wants to see this character brought to life in a new way, with Milly Alcock fully embracing the role.
“It’s so effortless for her to dive into that role and do it with a sense of compassion underneath,” Craig Gillespie said of the character and Alcock’s performance. “But you can feel the vulnerability. You can feel the fractures and what she’s struggling with, but she still has a toughness to her. It’s a tricky dance. Tonally, it’s always difficult to find an actor who can move in and out of the humour while staying grounded and feeling like it comes from an emotional place. And she does that beautifully.”
Drawing inspiration from Bilquis Evely’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic series, Supergirl follows Kara Zor-El as she travels across the galaxy to celebrate her 21st birthday with Krypto the Superdog. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets a young woman named Ruthye, setting off a murderous quest for revenge that drives the narrative forward.
The ensemble cast includes Eve Ridley as Ruthye Mary Knolle, Jason Momoa as the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo, and Matthias Schoenaerts as the villain Krem of the Yellow Hills. David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham round out the main cast as Kara’s parents, Zor-El and Alura, grounding the cosmic adventure with family connections to Krypton’s past.
The trailer release comes as DC Studios continues to build its new cinematic universe under studio chief James Gunn. From the press conference following the trailer’s debut, it was clear the people working on these films are not only excited to be involved but eager to bring this world to life in a way that stays true to the characters and their origins. Supergirl is scheduled to fly into theatres on June 26, 2026.
