James Gunn says Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will allow the heroine to be flawed and “messy,” finally giving her the same narrative freedom male superheroes have long enjoyed.

A New Era for Supergirl’s On-Screen Identity

December 11, 2025: James Gunn is opening up about his creative vision for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, revealing that the upcoming DC Studios film will finally allow Supergirl to be “messy” in ways audiences have rarely seen. According to Gunn, the character is long overdue for the same complexity and humanity routinely afforded to male heroes.

His comments immediately sparked conversation across the fandom, with many praising the shift toward a more emotionally nuanced portrayal of the iconic character.

Breaking Away From the “Perfect Girl” Mold

Gunn explained that past iterations of Supergirl often placed her in a box — polished, pristine, morally upright, and held to standards her male counterparts were never expected to meet. By contrast, he wants the new film to explore her trauma, imperfections, and inner conflict without hesitation.

“She deserves the right to be flawed,” Gunn said, noting that male superheroes have been allowed to be complicated, angry, reckless, or morally torn “for a while now.”

HOLR has the latest news on how Gunn continues reshaping DC’s characters with bold, emotionally grounded storytelling.

A Story Built on Depth and Vulnerability

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, based on Tom King’s critically acclaimed comic run, follows Kara Zor-El through a darker, more existential journey than previous screen portrayals. The story explores loss, displacement, survival, and identity — fertile ground for the kind of character complexity Gunn is committed to showing.

By leaning into Kara’s emotional messiness, the film aims to deepen audience connection and redefine what female-led superhero stories can be.

Why This Shift Matters

For decades, female superheroes were often flattened into symbols of empowerment rather than fully developed characters. Gunn’s approach directly challenges that trope, arguing that strength also includes vulnerability, contradiction, and struggle.

His comments reflect a broader industry movement toward writing women with the same freedom and realism long reserved for male characters.

Fans Respond With Excitement

Reactions online have been overwhelmingly positive. Fans praised Gunn for embracing the grit and emotional depth of Woman of Tomorrow, calling it one of DC’s most promising character-driven projects. Many noted that allowing Supergirl to be imperfect makes her more relatable and compelling.

HOLR continues to follow how fan enthusiasm is shaping expectations for DC’s next phase.

Redefining Supergirl for a New Generation

Gunn emphasized that this isn’t about making Supergirl darker for the sake of it — it’s about authenticity. Kara’s story, he said, has always held immense potential for dramatic complexity, and this version will finally tap into it.

By giving her space to be messy, frustrated, grieving, or unsure, the film positions her as a fully humanized hero navigating her own path rather than living in Superman’s shadow.

A Pivotal Step for DC’s Future

With Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow shaping up to be one of the most character-focused films in DC’s new slate, Gunn’s vision signals a broader shift toward emotionally layered storytelling. His comments suggest audiences can expect a heroine who is powerful not because she’s perfect, but because she’s real.