James Gunn calls Milly Alcock as Supergirl the best casting for DCU

The American superhero movie Supergirl is set to release on June 26, 2026. Milly Alcock stars as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl in Craig Gillespie's film, which was written by Ana Nogueira. The story, inspired by the comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, follows Supergirl and her dog Krypto as they travel across the cosmos to seek revenge for a terrible incident.

James Gunn's casting of Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El in DC's rebooted reality feels ideal for the character. Gunn, who currently co-leads DC Studios with Peter Safran, has built a reputation with critically acclaimed projects like Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, and the hit Max series Peacemaker, with Superman scheduled for release in 2025.

Alcock, who rose to prominence portraying young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, drew critical praise and awards buzz for her commanding performance.

James Gunn calling Milly Alcock Supergirl

Warner Bros. Discovery appointed James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios in October 2022, with Gunn taking charge of the creative direction for films, TV, and animation. He wrote and directed Superman, scheduled for launch in July 2025, while outlining the broader DCU slate. His previous credits include Guardians of the Galaxy 1 to 3 for Marvel, The Suicide Squad, and the Max series Peacemaker.

Deadline and other outlets reported Alcock had screen-tested for Gunn and Safran in late January 2024. Gunn then publicly confirmed the casting on Instagram with “This is accurate,” and praised her talent. Speaking about casting for the DCU, Gunn says,

“Milly Alcock might be the best bit of casting I've done in my entire life. I think she's absolutely stunning in the movie."

Alcock’s resume includes Upright and House of the Dragon, where she earned Critics' Choice recognition. That range and presence made her a fitting choice for a grittier Kara.

Alcock's Kara is set to headline Supergirl on June 26, 2026, directed by Craig Gillespie. Production began in early 2025 and has since wrapped, according to updates from Gunn and trade reports. Multiple outlets also mention that Alcock makes a brief Superman appearance that sets up her solo film.

Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is a character study that emphasizes Kara’s trauma and strength, which aligns with Alcock’s ability to portray earnest, wounded, and fierce qualities simultaneously. That connection between the role and actor, along with Gunn’s expressed vision, is why the choice resonates.

More about Supergirl

Kara Zor-El has headlined comics since the Silver Age. The new film draws directly from Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, where a disillusioned Kara goes on a cosmic quest for justice with a young alien, joined by Krypto. The story presents a more hardened Supergirl who grew up amid destruction, which is the tone Gunn has highlighted for the DCU version.

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Supergirl is scheduled for June 26, 2026, with Gillespie directing and Ana Nogueira writing the script. James Gunn and DC announced the 2024 release date as part of the Chapter One slate, and coverage has tracked the start and finish of filming at Leavesden. The movie follows Superman in the DCU lineup and then leads into other titles on Gunn’s roadmap.

Casting reports so far list Alcock as Supergirl, with roles for Matthias Schoenaerts and Eve Ridley among others, while rumors and marketing suggest a faithful adaptation of the comic’s tone. Gunn has shared early visuals and expressed confidence in Alcock’s performance. Expect a space-faring revenge odyssey that emphasizes Kara’s grit, independence, and complicated bond with her famous cousin.

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