DC’s Official Superman Replacement Arrives in 3 Weeks to Shake Up the Sci-Fi Movie Season
James Gunn officially soft-rebooted the DC Universe in mid-2025 with the debut of Superman. This fresh take featured a more whimsical Man of Steel (David Corenswet), who proved that even while tangling with gargantuan kaiju, there is always time to rescue a stranded squirrel. The narrative momentum surged forward with Peacemaker season 2, where the iconic antagonist Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) aligned with A.R.G.U.S. to scout the multiverse for a permanent containment facility for metahumans. The next chapter in this unfolding saga is just three weeks away.
<p>Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) emerged in the final act of <em>Superman</em>, returning to Earth after a hedonistic sabbatical on a red-sun world. As it turns out, the unruly Krypto—the super-powered canine Superman was tasked with looking after—is actually Kara’s loyal companion. Audiences will get an in-depth look at this duo in <a href="https://www.polygon.com/supergirl-trailer-james-gunn-guardians-of-the-galaxy/" target="_blank"><em>Supergirl</em></a>, arriving June 26. Here is everything we know about the film and how it sets the stage for the DCU’s future.</p>
<h2 id="how-is-supergirl-also-a-superman-movie">How is Supergirl also a Superman movie?</h2>
<p>While fans speculated whether Corenswet’s Man of Steel would make an appearance in Alcock's standalone outing, a recently released clip has finally confirmed his involvement.</p>
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<div class="custom_block-content note"><p>Warning: Major plot points ahead!</p></div>
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<p>Directed by <a href="https://www.polygon.com/movies/22458657/cruella-dalmatian-scene/" target="_blank">Craig Gillespie</a> from a script by Ana Nogueira, <em>Supergirl</em> serves as a direct adaptation of the acclaimed 2021 miniseries <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2021/7/26/22591012/new-supergirl-superman-comics-tom-king-dc/" target="_blank"><em>Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow</em></a>, written by Tom King. Promotional material suggests the film remains remarkably faithful to the source material’s tone and aesthetic. The integration of Superman, however, is a fascinating pivot that promises to expand the scope of the film considerably.</p>
<h2 id="what-is-the-actual-plot-of-supergirl">What is the actual plot of Supergirl?</h2>
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<p>If you aren't familiar with the eight-part comic run, the premise is simple yet emotionally resonant: Kara is seeking distraction from her trauma when she meets Ruthye, a young girl hellbent on avenging her murdered family. Their target is Krem of the Yellow Hills, a dangerous brigand who also incapacitated Krypto with a poisoned bolt. Without her solar-powered abilities under a red sun, Kara is forced to navigate the cosmos via "space bus" while relying on her wits. The film will mirror this journey, likely interweaving flashbacks that detail Kara’s harrowing survival following the collapse of Krypton.</p>
<p>One notable departure from the comics is the introduction of <a href="https://www.polygon.com/supergirl-trailer-jason-momoa-lobo/" target="_blank">Lobo (Jason Momoa)</a>. The cigar-chomping interstellar bounty hunter crosses paths with Kara at a gritty dive bar, and their temporary partnership suggests that both are tracking the same marks across the galaxy.</p>
<h2 id="what-comes-after-supergirl">What comes after Supergirl?</h2>
<p>The DCU train doesn't stop there. On August 16, HBO will premiere <a href="https://www.polygon.com/lanterns-trailer-green-powers/" target="_blank"><em>Lanterns</em></a>, an investigation-driven series featuring Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and <a href="https://www.polygon.com/superman-2-man-of-tomorrow-green-lantern-john-stewart/" target="_blank">John Stewart (Aaron Pierre)</a>. While the plot spans both 2016 and 2026, it will feature key connections to the present-day events established in <em>Superman</em>. Later, on October 23, James Watkins’ R-rated body-horror project <em>Clayface</em> will arrive, which Gunn has confirmed is tightly woven into the overarching DCU canon.</p>
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<p>The next major ensemble piece, <em>Man of Tomorrow</em>, is currently slated for July 9, 2027. This cinematic event will see Superman, Supergirl, John Stewart, and Lex Luthor join forces to confront the malevolent <a href="https://www.polygon.com/brainiac-man-of-tomorrow-villain-lex-luthor-explainer/" target="_blank">Brainiac</a>, with support from Hawkgirl and Rick Flag Sr.</p>Source: Polygon
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