A girl’s best friend is her dog—or, in Supergirl‘s case, her super-dog. But there’s one thing Krypto can’t do for his beloved owner, Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El, and that’s give her some plainspoken advice. For that, Supergirl director Craig Gillespie explained in a new interview, some brotherly intervention is needed. Or rather, cousinly, in the form of David Corenswet’s Superman.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Gillespie shed some light on how Corenswet’s character will factor into the film, beyond the obvious purpose of tying Supergirl into the burgeoning DC cinematic universe. We see it a bit in the new Supergirl trailer that just dropped today, in fact, when Superman beams in to ask Kara—who is on an extended bender, trying to replace her problems with partying—when she intends to return to Earth.
“Even though they’re cousins, you get this almost older-sibling dynamic, and that can be adversarial at times,” Gillespie told EW. “He’s the gentle guy that wants to reach out and be patient, and she’s having to find a way and find herself.”
She’s having to “find herself,” while Superman is busy juggling maniacal villains, his Lois Lane romance, and his journalism career, because she didn’t grow up on a cozy farm like he did. She’s not even sure she’s suited for the superhero life.
“Superman hasn’t gone through trauma. He came from a very loving family and was almost groomed to be in this role,” Gillespie explained. “Supergirl has been through trauma, and the role’s kind of being pushed upon her at a later age, and she’s having to adjust to that.”
Gillespie also teased that Supergirl will show Kara’s arrival on Earth, “speaking Kryptonian,” because she hasn’t learned any earthly languages yet.
Supergirl opens in theaters June 26.
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