DC Studios dropped the highly anticipated Supergirl trailer on December 11, 2025, offering fans their first extended look at Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El in what promises to be a radically different take on the iconic superhero. Following her scene-stealing cameo at the end of this summer’s Superman, the House of the Dragon star is now front and center in a two-minute trailer that establishes Supergirl as a grittier, more complex character than her optimistic cousin.
Milly Alcock Brings Punk-Rock Edge to Supergirl Trailer
The Supergirl trailer immediately establishes a darker tone than typical superhero fare. Set to Blondie’s 1980 hit “Call Me,” the footage opens with a hungover Kara Zor-El blowing out a single birthday candle in a dimly lit room, accompanied by her super-dog Krypto. “Twenty-three will be the best year yet,” she mumbles unconvincingly to her canine companion, immediately signaling that this is not the bright-eyed hero audiences might expect.
Milly Alcock, best known for portraying young Rhaenyra Targaryen in the first season of House of the Dragon, brings a rebellious energy to the role. The Australian actress embodies a Supergirl who is jaded, emotionally scarred, and far removed from the cheerful heroism typically associated with the character. Her portrayal aligns perfectly with DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn’s description of the character as “a much harsher and more messed up Supergirl than you’ve been used to thus far.”
A Space Odyssey Unlike Any DC Film Before
The Supergirl trailer reveals the film’s ambitious cosmic scope, taking viewers across multiple alien worlds and intergalactic colonies. Director Craig Gillespie, known for I, Tonya and Cruella, has crafted what appears to be a Guardians of the Galaxy-style space adventure for the DCU. The footage showcases grungy, lived-in alien environments populated by questionable humanoid creatures, evoking the chaotic aesthetic that Gunn perfected in his Marvel films.
The trailer offers glimpses of various exotic locations, from alien cities reminiscent of Knowhere to dusty outposts where Supergirl engages in brutal combat with space pirates and mercenaries. These settings provide a stark contrast to the Earth-bound action of Superman, demonstrating the breadth of James Gunn’s reimagined DC Universe.
Jason Momoa’s Lobo Makes Brief but Impactful Appearance
One of the biggest reveals in the Supergirl trailer is the blink-and-you-miss-it appearance of Jason Momoa as Lobo. The cigar-chomping, motorcycle-riding bounty hunter can be seen striding purposefully toward the camera in his signature pale-white makeup and biker attire. While Lobo doesn’t appear in the original Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic that the film adapts, Gunn has indicated the character will play a vital role in creating a cohesive three-act narrative structure.
Gunn has described Lobo as “maybe, in some way, the biggest comic book character that’s never been in a film,” making his inclusion a significant draw for longtime DC fans. The character’s notorious reputation as an unkillable, morally ambiguous anti-hero promises to complement Milly Alcock’s darker take on Supergirl perfectly.
The Story Behind Kara’s Pain
The Supergirl trailer hints at the traumatic backstory that shapes Kara’s cynical worldview. Unlike Superman, who was sent to Earth as an infant and raised by loving adoptive parents, Kara grew up on Argo City, a surviving fragment of Krypton. The trailer features haunting imagery of Krypton’s destruction, with Kara ominously noting that her world “didn’t die in a day… the gods were not that kind.“
This prolonged tragedy, watching everyone around her perish gradually, has fundamentally shaped Kara’s character. As the trailer reveals, she visits planets with red suns that dampen her superpowers specifically so she can get drunk and party, attempting to escape her trauma. When young alien Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley, asks “what was it like to lose everything in a day?” Kara’s response captures the philosophical divide between her and Superman: “He sees the good in everyone. And I see the truth.”
Anti-Hero Story with Emotional Depth
Director Craig Gillespie described the film at a Manhattan preview event as “really an anti-hero story,” emphasizing that Kara “has a lot of baggage and a lot of demons coming into this, which is very different from where Superman is in his life.” The Supergirl trailer supports this assessment, showcasing a protagonist who must be reluctantly pulled into heroism rather than embracing it naturally.
The footage reveals that the plot centers on Ruthye recruiting Kara to track down Krem of the Yellow Hills, played by Matthias Schoenaerts, the murderer who killed Ruthye’s father in cold blood. This revenge quest takes the unlikely duo across the galaxy, forcing Kara to confront not just external threats but her own inner demons.
Krypto’s Emotional Role
The Supergirl trailer also features several concerning moments involving Krypto, Superman’s beloved super-dog. One particularly emotional shot shows an apparently injured Krypto lying on a table while a teary-eyed Kara looks on in distress. While the specific circumstances remain unclear, this scene suggests the film won’t shy away from putting its characters through genuine emotional turmoil.
James Gunn’s Casting Triumph
James Gunn has called Milly Alcock’s casting “the best bit of casting I’ve ever done,” revealing that he suggested her name during early planning conversations with co-CEO Peter Safran before their DC Studios deal was even finalized. The Supergirl trailer certainly validates that confidence, as Alcock appears to capture both the vulnerability and fierce determination required for this complex interpretation of the character.
The 24-year-old actress brings a raw authenticity to Kara Zor-El, making her seem simultaneously broken and unbreakable. Her performance promises to deliver the emotional depth that made the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic series such a critical success.
Distinct Identity Within DCU
The Supergirl trailer makes clear that this film won’t be “just a female clone of Superman,” as Gunn emphasized. From its cosmic setting and anti-hero protagonist to its needle-drop soundtrack and gritty visual aesthetic, the movie establishes its own distinct identity within the expanding DC Universe. The rebellious tagline “Truth. Justice. Whatever.” perfectly encapsulates this fresh approach to the character.
Supergirl is scheduled to fly into theaters on June 26, 2026, following the success of Superman earlier this year. With the Supergirl trailer generating massive buzz and Milly Alcock’s star power on the rise, the film is positioned to become another cornerstone of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s reimagined DC Universe.
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