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The upcoming DC Universe film, “Supergirl,” slated for release this summer, carries significant expectations. However, there are some apprehensions surrounding Kara Zor-El’s standalone venture. To explore these concerns, take a look at our in-depth video analysis above.
On the surface, there’s much to anticipate with “Supergirl.” Esteemed director Craig Gillespie, known for the acclaimed “I, Tonya” starring Margot Robbie, is at the helm, working from a script by Ana Nogueira, who crafted the well-received thriller “Never Here.” The film promises appearances by David Corenswet as Superman and Jason Momoa as the fan-favorite antihero Lobo. Moreover, the beloved character Krypto will make a return. Despite these favorable elements, the second trailer for “Supergirl” has drawn comparisons to “Guardians of the Galaxy,” sparking mixed reactions.
While James Gunn’s “Superman” garnered positive reviews and achieved respectable box office results, “Supergirl” faces skepticism, as reflected in the trailer responses. It’s not just the “Guardians of the Galaxy 3.5” likeness, as one social media user quipped. The DC Universe, now under the leadership of Gunn and Peter Safran, is still working to win over all critics. Success for “Supergirl” could bolster momentum for the DCU and quiet detractors. However, failure might leave Gunn and Safran navigating more turbulent waters than anticipated.
James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, maintains a strong presence online, engaging with fans and addressing rumors. The topic of “Supergirl” has surfaced frequently since its announcement. In December 2025, Forbes Australia ran a piece on Milly Alcock, claiming the film’s budget reached $200 million. When asked on Threads if this figure was accurate, Gunn dismissed it, saying, “Not even a little bit true.”
While there is no reason to doubt Gunn’s statement, it’s possible the budget has exceeded initial projections. Reports indicate that “Supergirl” has undergone at least eight test screenings, with reshoots potentially driving up costs. Furthermore, DC has employed three different composers for the film’s score. Claudia Sarne is the latest to replace Tom Holkenborg, who had succeeded Ramin Djawadi, suggesting that scoring costs have also escalated.
While James Gunn’s “Superman” received mostly positive reviews and made a decent haul at the box office, the jury remains out on “Supergirl” judging by the reaction to the trailers, and it’s not just because it “looks like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 3.5.’” as one X user put it. The DC Universe under Gunn and Peter Safran hasn’t fully convinced all the doubters. If “Supergirl” succeeds — both at the box office and with fans — it could go a long way in building momentum for the DCU and silencing the noise. But if it doesn’t, the pair may find themselves navigating choppy waters sooner than they would have liked.
Supergirl has reportedly had at least eight different test screenings
Warner Bros. Pictures
DC Studios co-head James Gunn has a reputation for interacting with fans online. The filmmaker is known for clarifying rumors or inaccurate reports. Naturally, “Supergirl” has come up in conversation a lot since it was first announced. In December 2025, Forbes Australia published a profile on Milly Alcock which claimed that “Supergirl” was costing $200 million to make. On Threads, a fan asked Gunn if this was an accurate number. “Not even a little bit true,” Gunn replied.
There’s no reason not to believe Gunn, but that’s not to say the budget hasn’t gone above what was initially expected — reports suggest that there have been at least eight reported test screenings for “Supergirl,” and reshoots are likely to have inflated the budget. In addition to this, DC has now hired three different composers to take a crack at scoring the film, with Claudia Sarne replacing Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL), who had already replaced Ramin Djawadi. None of them would have come cheap.
You could view this as Gunn and DC doing their utmost to make sure the film is a hit, and perhaps the extra work will pay off, but all the tinkering and reported test screenings certainly doesn’t inspire confidence. Remember to check out Looper’s video above for a full rundown on why “Supergirl” has us very worried.