James Gunn’s New Supergirl Confession Just Killed My Hype for the Movie

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Movies and TV shows based on comic books are often judged—and rightfully so—on how well they stick to the original stories. These adaptations borrow plots, characters, and imagery, so how audiences react depends a lot on whether they already enjoy the source material and whether the adaptation stays true to it. A departure from the original can significantly impact viewers’ opinions.

The upcoming DCU Supergirl movie doesn’t seem to be drawing much from the look and feel of the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic book it’s based on. Doubts about how closely the movie would follow the comic began with the first teaser trailer, and a recent interview with James Gunn in Variety has lowered expectations even further.

Supergirl Doesn’t Adapt Woman of Tomorrow “Religiously”

The upcoming Supergirl movie is the second project in James Gunn’s new DC Universe, coming out quickly after Superman. Initially, I was excited about Supergirl because it was planned as an adaptation of the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic series. However, after seeing the first teaser trailer and reading an interview with James Gunn in Variety, I’m now less optimistic that the movie will closely follow that storyline.

I really enjoyed Milly Alcock’s performance in the film. It’s a science fiction adventure, similar to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ and it’s inspired by the comic book by Tom King. While it doesn’t stick to the book exactly, it captures the main ideas and spirit of the source material.

Okay, so this recent statement is really telling. Even from the first teaser, it was clear Supergirl wouldn’t be a perfect adaptation, but this confirms my fears. Basically, they’re saying don’t expect everything I adore about the comics to make it to the screen. It’s a bit disappointing, honestly, but at least they’re being upfront about it.

Much of what makes Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow special comes from its unique and beautiful art style, which combines fantastical elements with stunning environments and plant life. Changing that style in the new adaptation of Supergirl doesn’t do justice to the original comic’s visuals.

Woman of Tomorrow Without Bilquis Evely’s Art is Not Woman of Tomorrow

It’s disappointing that the new Supergirl series isn’t closely following the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow storyline, as that comic book arc is a fan favorite and considered a key part of Kara Zor-El’s character. Director Craig Gillespie has described Milly Alcock’s Supergirl as a contrast to David Corenswet’s Superman; while both characters have flaws, Supergirl is entering the story with more personal struggles and emotional weight than Superman currently has.

While the story stays true to the source material, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is heavily defined by the incredible art and colors of Bilquis Evely and Matheus Lopes. This distinct visual style sets it apart from previous Supergirl iterations, and unfortunately contributes to comparisons with Guardians of the Galaxy – whether those comparisons are justified or not.

It’s worth noting that James Gunn isn’t directing the Supergirl movie. And while the trailer’s style feels more reminiscent of Star Wars than the director’s previous films, honestly, these comparisons don’t really matter. What’s truly disappointing is that Supergirl isn’t being inspired by the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic book, which could have given the movie a uniquely strong artistic direction – something DC films could really use.

The DCU is Having Its Cake and Eating It, Too

Just because the new Supergirl series takes some liberties with the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow story doesn’t necessarily mean it will be bad. It’s also worth noting that James Gunn’s Superman movie was heavily influenced by All-Star Superman; production designer Beth Mickle even called it their “guiding light.”

The new Superman film clearly draws inspiration from All-Star Superman, particularly in its bright colors, depiction of Superman’s isolation, and old-fashioned, hopeful tone. However, it doesn’t actually retell the story of All-Star Superman, so viewers hoping for a direct adaptation will likely be disappointed.

Just like with other adaptations, the recent Supergirl movie seems to have drawn inspiration from the Woman of Tomorrow comic, but it appears to have only taken a few select elements. While the movie might follow the comic’s plot reasonably well, it doesn’t seem to capture the same impressive artwork or the magical, otherworldly feel of the original story. Currently, I’m not very optimistic about the film, as I think the chosen artistic style is a significant disappointment.

Many movies based on comic books don’t accurately reflect the source material, often taking significant creative liberties. The movie Supergirl illustrates this – a faithful recreation of the comic’s visual style should have been just as important as sticking to the story, especially if the movie only uses the basic ideas from the comic rather than a complete adaptation.

It’s unrealistic to expect a comic book adaptation to be perfectly faithful. The new DC Universe is building its own unique history and world, and any inspiration from specific comics will likely be a mix of different storylines and visual elements, like a patchwork creation.

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2026-01-05 23:03