Craig Gillespie Discusses Kara’s Surprising Ending in ‘Supergirl’
Director Craig Gillespie has shared insights into the creative decisions behind ‘Supergirl’ and how the film’s conclusion connects to ongoing discussions within the DC universe, particularly in relation to ‘Man of Steel’.
In an interview with Collider, Gillespie delves into how the new DCU is reimagining Kara Zor-El as a distinctly different hero compared to Superman.
He explained that ‘Supergirl’ was crafted around Kara’s emotional journey rather than conventional superhero norms. The character is deeply influenced by trauma and loss, which shapes her approach to her role as a protector. Unlike Superman, who embodies optimism in James Gunn’s DCU, Kara grapples with resentment towards the responsibilities thrust upon her.
Gillespie emphasized that this distinction was a deliberate choice from the outset. “That was something James [Gunn] felt very strongly about,” he remarked regarding the film’s conclusion. He confirmed that this decision was never seriously questioned during production, and no alternate endings were filmed. The creative team fully embraced the final choice as it resonated with Kara’s emotional trajectory.
A significant point of discussion in the interview was how ‘Supergirl’s’ ending has reignited comparisons to previous DC films, particularly ‘Man of Steel’. The debate surrounding Superman’s choice to kill Zod has been a contentious topic among fans for years. Gillespie addressed this contrast directly, noting that Gunn’s Superman is centered on hope and redemption, while Supergirl reflects a different lived experience shaped by hardship and survival.
Gillespie stated that the two characters are intended to complement each other rather than mirror one another. He explained that Kara’s upbringing and worldview diverge significantly from Clark Kent’s, leading her to make choices rooted in pain rather than idealism. This contrast is pivotal to the framework of the DCU, according to his comments.
Additionally, Gillespie discussed the film’s Krypton sequence, which includes extensive dialogue in a constructed Kryptonian language. He revealed that this element was not part of the original script and was a creative choice he made. A linguist was enlisted to develop multiple languages for the film. “We had this linguist who created five different languages for the film,” Gillespie shared.
He described how the cast had to learn their lines phonetically, highlighting Milly Alcock’s performance in a particularly challenging emotional scene in this fictional language. He praised her ability to convey deep emotion despite the linguistic hurdles.
The editing process was another key focus of the interview. Gillespie explained that the film evolved to become more focused and streamlined over time. Earlier drafts included more humor, but many jokes were cut as they didn’t align with Kara’s emotional state. He characterized her journey as relentless, stating that the final cut reflects a character who is perpetually driven forward.
He also recounted a personal story about early feedback from his wife, who pointed out an emotional beat involving Krypto that was missing. This prompted the addition of scenes during post-production to enhance the character’s arc.
Ultimately, Gillespie underscored that ‘Supergirl’ was shaped by emotional authenticity rather than fan expectations or comparisons to previous DC films. The interview illustrates how the new DCU aims to define its heroes through contrast rather than uniformity, with Kara Zor-El at the forefront of this transformation.
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