As Supergirl prepares to soar into theaters, the film's star Milly Alcock and screenwriter Ana Nogueira are opening up about the movie's themes, joining a massive franchise, and what's next for the DC Universe. In a candid conversation with Collider, the duo discussed how the film champions humanity and vulnerability, and Nogueira offered a rare glimpse into her process for the highly anticipated Wonder Woman reboot.
Supergirl's Universal Message: Vulnerability Is Strength
Alcock, who previously starred in House of the Dragon, emphasized that Supergirl carries a message for everyone, not just young girls. "There's so much power in vulnerability, and there's so much strength in humanity," she said. "You don't have to save the world; you can just save your own. Saving yourself sometimes is the best thing you can do for those around you."
Nogueira echoed that sentiment, adding, "I hope audiences take away the idea that they can be their full, messy, authentic selves and still be heroes. Having struggles doesn't mean you can't be a champion for somebody else."
Ana Nogueira on Writing the Wonder Woman Reboot
When asked about her dual role as writer for both Supergirl and the upcoming Wonder Woman film, Nogueira was careful not to reveal too much. "There will be a little sniper dot on my head if I say too much," she joked. However, she did share her core principle: "I try to approach every character from a place of what feels most true to me about them. For Kara, it was her backstory. I always put on blinders and see what the character means to me before I take them onto the page."
This approach, she noted, will carry over to her work on Wonder Woman, ensuring that the iconic heroine remains authentic and relatable. Fans eager for more details will have to wait, but Nogueira's commitment to character-driven storytelling bodes well for the DCU's future.
Joining the DCU vs. House of the Dragon
Alcock also reflected on the intimidation factor of stepping into two massive fandoms. "DC has been quite intimidating," she admitted. "When you step into a fandom, the character doesn't solely belong to you. The audience has their own expectations and ideas of who this person is." She contrasted this with more traditional roles where actors have full creative freedom.
Speaking Kryptonian and the Challenge of a Key Scene
One of the film's standout sequences takes place on Krypton and is performed entirely in the fictional language, with subtitles for audiences. Nogueira explained that linguists translated her English script into Kryptonian, making the writing process straightforward. For Alcock, delivering emotional dialogue in a foreign language was a challenge she credits House of the Dragon for preparing her to tackle. "You just really have to understand the integrity of the scene," she said.
Directed by Craig Gillespie, Supergirl introduces Kara Zor-El (Alcock) as Superman's headstrong cousin who has chosen a nomadic space-faring life. When a ruthless space pirate threatens her best friend Krypto, she must team up with unlikely allies, including Jason Momoa's Lobo. The film also stars Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, and Emily Beecham.
For more on the DCU's upcoming slate, check out our Supergirl review and first reactions. And if you're curious about the film's runtime, see this breakdown.
