James Gunn Unveils First Look at Supergirl as Teaser Trailer Drops This Week — A Darker DCU Era Begins

DC Studios chief James Gunn has set the fandom ablaze after sharing the first official look at Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, confirming that the highly anticipated teaser trailer will debut later this week. The reveal follows the crowd-stirring costume unveiling at CCXP 2025 in São Paulo, and signals a new, edgier direction for one of DC’s most beloved heroes.

The footage James Gunn teased shows Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El waiting at what appears to be an intergalactic bus stop, sunglasses on, hair whipping in the wind as a spaceship touches down beside her. But this is no upbeat, smiling Girl of Steel. She looks irritated — maybe hungover — and very much unlike the traditionally pristine Supergirl fans know.

A Broken Supergirl: Inside Gunn’s Darker Reimagining

James Gunn has long hinted that his DCU’s version of Supergirl wouldn’t resemble past incarnations. Inspired heavily by Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s acclaimed comic Woman of Tomorrow, this Supergirl has endured trauma that shaped her into a hardened warrior — and, as James Gunn described bluntly, “a total mess.”

Unlike Superman, who grew up nurtured on Earth, Kara spent her first 14 years on a drifting fragment of Krypton, witnessing death, destruction, and hopelessness. It’s a past that has left her dealing with serious emotional damage, including substance abuse. According to Gunn, she even became drunk on a planet bathed in red sunlight — one of the few environments where a Kryptonian’s powers weaken enough for alcohol to affect them.

“She’s much harsher and more f***ed up than you’ve seen before,” James Gunn said, emphasizing that the film leans into space-fantasy energy, more akin to Guardians of the Galaxy than the grounded tone of Superman.

James Gunn Confirms New Superman Film — But It’s Not ‘Superman 2’

Lobo, Krypto, and a Chaotic Cosmic Road Trip

The movie will continue threads from the DCU’s kickoff film, Superman, following Kara as she turns 21 and sets out on a galaxy-spanning road trip with her loyal but unruly dog, Krypto. Joining them is Jason Momoa as the foul-mouthed, bike-riding bounty hunter Lobo, a casting choice fans enthusiastically embraced.

Some industry observers are even speculating that Momoa’s role — and Supergirl’s potential box-office success — could reignite interest in Zack Snyder’s DCEU legacy, opening the door for former stars like Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, and Ben Affleck to return as new characters.

 

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DCU Faces Uncertainty Amid Netflix’s Massive WB Acquisition

The excitement surrounding Supergirl comes at a time of significant corporate upheaval. Netflix’s colossal $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. has raised questions about the future of theatrical releases for DC films. While Netflix insists operations will remain independent for at least 18 months, fans remain cautiously optimistic.

With its June 26, 2026, release date, Supergirl is expected to stay on track — safe from any immediate strategic shifts.

For now, all eyes are on the teaser trailer arriving this week, poised to redefine the Girl of Steel for a new generation — darker, harsher, and more human than ever before.