Supergirl Is Adapting The Same Story As John Wayne’s True Grit

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As a huge film buff, especially when it comes to Westerns, I was surprised to hear they’re remaking one of John Wayne’s classics! He really was the face of the Western – his movies are legendary. But here’s the twist: it’s not staying a Western. Almost 50 years after he passed away, they’re taking this beloved film and turning it into a superhero movie, swapping out cowboys and horses for spaceships and, well, laser vision! It’s a pretty wild change of direction, but I’m definitely curious to see how it turns out.

Superhero movies and Westerns actually share a lot of history. Both genres have experienced periods of being incredibly popular, followed by declines, and they often feature heroic characters battling for what they believe is right. Over time, both have been reimagined and reinvented. Now, a new superhero film is even retelling a story that was famously told in a classic Western.

As a longtime cinema fan, I was really surprised to learn that the new DCU film Supergirl is essentially doing a True Grit remake! The Coen brothers already revisited that classic Western with Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld in 2010, but this time it’s Milly Alcock as Supergirl stepping into a role very similar to John Wayne’s Rooster Cogburn. It’s wild to think they’re adapting that same story after more than 57 years, and I’m definitely curious to see how they pull it off when the movie comes out on June 26th.

The Comic Supergirl Is Based On Is A Reimagining Of True Grit

Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl movie draws inspiration from the Woman of Tomorrow comic book by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. King has often said that Woman of Tomorrow was heavily influenced by True Grit, and the parallels are clear. Both stories center around young girls seeking revenge for their fathers’ deaths, and both girls team up with a rough, flawed bounty hunter to embark on a difficult quest to find the killer.

As a movie buff, I’ve noticed some really interesting parallels between Woman of Tomorrow and True Grit. The core stories are almost the same, and they explore similar ideas. Both films ultimately show the young female lead learning that revenge comes at a huge cost, and the hardened bounty hunter realizing the importance of empathy and connection – that being detached from others isn’t the way to live. It’s fascinating to me because, in a way, Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) feels like a female version of Rooster Cogburn, and the character Ruthye really embodies the spirit of Mattie Ross.

The main difference between Woman of Tomorrow and True Grit revolves around Kara’s dog, Krypto. In both the comic book and the new movie, Krypto is poisoned by the same villain who killed Ruthye’s father. This injury drives Kara to assist Ruthye, and the comic book adds an unexpected twist to this storyline. Beyond that, things like the space travel and how Supergirl uses her powers are just minor variations from True Grit.

The new Supergirl movie is updating the story from Woman of Tomorrow, but it’s expected to closely resemble True Grit. Like Mattie in True Grit, the main character, Ruthye, is driven by a desire for revenge after her family is killed. The movie trailers suggest a superhero take on the classic True Grit story.

Supergirl Is The Perfect Way To Modernize True Grit

It might feel wrong to adapt a classic film by the Duke into a superhero movie, but Supergirl is surprisingly a great fit for a modern retelling of True Grit. The story was already successfully updated in 2010 with Jeff Bridges and the Coen brothers, creating one of the best remakes ever. While their version was as exciting as the original, this timeless tale still has potential for a fresh take.

Superhero films like Supergirl are now the dominant form of storytelling, much like Westerns once were. Because of this, it’s natural to reimagine classic Westerns through a superhero lens. In fact, if True Grit had been written today instead of decades ago, it would likely have been conceived as a superhero story from the beginning.

Supergirl is surprisingly well-suited to play a character like Rooster Cogburn. For much of her life, she’s been overshadowed by Superman and has often felt lost, leading her to cope with drinking and partying. A story like True Grit would be ideal for showing her underlying goodness beneath a tough exterior. In fact, Supergirl herself seems to draw inspiration from Rooster Cogburn, and this connection goes beyond just the Woman of Tomorrow storyline.

Supergirl Should Still Have Some Surprises For True Grit Fans

Good news for those who enjoy True Grit! The new Supergirl show isn’t a direct copy of the classic John Wayne Western. While the stories share many similarities in their overall plot and themes, they aren’t exactly the same. The comic Woman of Tomorrow builds on the True Grit story with some interesting additions and changes, including a role for Krypto and a surprising twist involving him.

I’m really excited about the Supergirl movie! It seems like it’s going to build on the interesting changes Woman of Tomorrow made to the original True Grit story, and I have a good feeling Craig Gillespie has brought something special to it. Plus, it’s a really cool twist to see a superpowered version of Rooster Cogburn in space instead of the Old West – a totally different setting and genre!

If you enjoyed True Grit, you’ll find something to love in Supergirl. Similar to the recent True Grit remake, Supergirl is taking inspiration from the original story but will tell a fresh, surprising tale. Even if you’re not familiar with True Grit, you’ll still have plenty to enjoy. Supergirl won’t be a direct adaptation, but it will capture the spirit of the original story and update it for modern audiences.

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2026-04-09 00:12