Supergirl director Craig Gillespie “debated” many things about the movie with James Gunn. Supergirl is the first big DCU project that Gunn isn’t involved in hands-on as a director or writer. The film picks up after 2025’s Superman, following the Girl of Steel and Krypto on an intergalactic adventure.
What do we know about James Gunn and Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl debates?
During a set visit by Empire Magazine (via GamesRadar), Gillespie and Gunn were debating key DCU scenes over the course of four days. That may sound like friction, but Gillespie only had nice things to say about Gunn.
“It was great to have more of a director than a studio head,” said Gillespie. “You can just roll the sleeves up and have a healthy debate. It would get into the tiniest things… music choices… that sort of push and pull.”
As co-CEOs of DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran oversee every project under the banner. However, Gunn’s experience and active role as a filmmaker run counter to how most studio heads work. While Gillespie was working on Supergirl, Gunn was overseeing the project and writing Man of Tomorrow, which he is also directing.
Supergirl’s trailers have invited a lot of fan discussing how it looks similar to Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy in tone. Gillespie acknowledged the comparisons, saying, “I don’t think I can avoid it. We’re in that arena, but it’s a space I’ve always played in. There’s only so many space movies. And we’re in the superhero universe, with that dance of humor and darkness and drama, which I love.”
Supergirl will join her cousin in next year’s Man of Tomorrow. The film is currently in production, with fans spotting an upgraded suit for the Man of Steel. Before that, though, fans have plenty of reasons to look forward to Supergirl following its latest trailer.
Supergirl is directed by Craig Gillespie, whose screenplay is written by Ana Nogueira. Supergirl releases in theaters on June 26, 2026.
