James Gunn’s Unconventional Casting Process Lands Milly Alcock as the New Supergirl

DC Studios executive James Gunn took an unconventional approach in casting the role of Supergirl for the upcoming film “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.” Gunn, along with co-CEO Peter Safran, flew multiple actors, including Meg Donnelly, to Atlanta for onscreen auditions on the “Superman: Legacy” set, where they donned the iconic Supergirl suit and boots.

Gunn was initially drawn to Milly Alcock after witnessing her performance as Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s “House of the Dragon.” Although Meg Donnelly, who had previously voiced Supergirl in animated films, presented stiff competition, Gunn aimed for a departure from previous depictions of Supergirl, seeking a less earnest and more edgy portrayal.

In this new iteration, Supergirl embarks on a galactic journey to celebrate her 21st birthday with Krypto the Superdog, encountering a young woman named Ruthye and becoming entangled in a vengeful quest along the way.

Gunn expressed his early preference for Milly Alcock, stating, “Milly was the FIRST person I brought up to Peter for this role well over a year ago, when I had only read the comics. I was watching ‘House of the Dragon’ and thought she might have the edge, grace, and authenticity we needed.”

The Supergirl project underwent a reset after Gunn and Safran assumed control of DC in 2022. Ana Nogueira, known for her work on “The Vampire Diaries,” is handling the screenplay, and the studio is actively seeking a director in the coming weeks.