‘Supergirl: Is There A Large Enough Audience For This Movie?

A few weeks back, I pointed out how “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” was a bafflingly bad title for such a crucial film in James Gunn’s new DCU. Bloated, clunky, and sounding more like a YA novel than a tentpole superhero flick.

Well, now it’s official: the film is just called “Supergirl.” Cleaner. Better. Still doesn’t guarantee a good movie.

I’ve been side-eyeing this project since it was first announced. The honest truth is that the character of Supergirl has never really had mainstream pull. She’s always existed in the shadow of her more iconic cousin. The 1984 Helen Slater movie? A cult footnote at best. The CW series? Middling ratings, and culturally DOA. There just isn’t much proven appetite for this character on a big screen.

And let’s be real—this isn’t shaping up to be an event movie. There’s no A-list lead, no compelling villain hook, no real sense of urgency. If Marvel can’t sell audiences on characters like the Eternals, how is DC going to get butts in seats for “Supergirl”?

That said, there are glimmers of hope. Craig Gillespie is directing, and while he’s not the kind of name that moves mountains, he does have a track record with character-focused, offbeat fare (“I, Tonya,” “Dumb Money”). He’s also proven he can play in the IP sandbox with Disney’s “Cruella.”

Then there’s the casting. Milly Alcock—who absolutely stole the show in “House of the Dragonl—landed the lead after a final-round faceoff with Meg Donnelly. If there’s any chance this movie hits, Alcock’s performance will be the reason. She’s got presence.

But make no mistake: “Supergirl” is a gamble. No built-in audience, no slam-dunk creative vision (yet), and it’s being released into a franchise landscape that’s seen better days.

The film is currently in post and slated for a June 26, 2026 release. We’ll see.