Big DCU News! James Gunn Compares Supergirl to Guardians: “It’s a Space Adventure”
James Gunn has told us that his upcoming Supergirl film is basically Guardians of the Galaxy with a cape. Speaking with Rolling Stone, Gunn couldn’t resist drawing parallels between his new DC project and his Marvel masterpiece.
James Gunn Can’t Help But Reference His Marvel Past
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Gunn couldn’t resist drawing parallels between his new DC project and his Marvel masterpiece. When asked about how Peacemaker would impact Supergirl and Lanterns, the director explained that these projects are “part of the overall tapestry, but they’re also their own thing.”
Per Rolling Stone, James Gunn said, “Supergirl, especially, is a space adventure. It’s like Guardians.” Because apparently, every space-based superhero story must now bow to the Guardians template. Now, before you roll your eyes completely into the back of your head, let’s be honest—this could actually work. The Guardians films were successful precisely because they balanced humor, heart, and spectacular space opera visuals.
But the question remains: can James Gunn translate that magic to a character who’s fundamentally different from Star-Lord and his ragtag crew? The comparison to Guardians of the Galaxy isn’t just about space settings and cosmic adventures. His previous work showed a masterful ability to blend emotional depth with spectacular action sequences, creating characters that audiences genuinely care about despite their flaws and quirks.
The supporting cast suggests that this won’t be a simple solo adventure. Lobo’s inclusion promises cosmic-level chaos, while the other characters hint at a broader universe that extends beyond Earth. This ensemble approach could recreate the family dynamics that made the Guardians films emotionally satisfying.
What This Guardians Comparison Actually Means
The comparison to Guardians of the Galaxy isn’t just about space settings and cosmic adventures. Gunn’s previous work showed a masterful ability to blend emotional depth with spectacular action sequences, creating characters that audiences genuinely care about. For Supergirl, this approach could be exactly what the character needs.
Unlike her cousin Superman, Kara Zor-El carries trauma that most heroes don’t. As James Gunn previously explained, “She’s much more hardcore; she’s not exactly the Supergirl we’re used to seeing.” This darker, more complex take on the character could benefit from Gunn’s signature style of mixing pain with hope. The space adventure element makes perfect sense when you consider Supergirl’s origin story.
As Supergirl writer Ana Noguiera said on Variety, “She watched Krypton completely be destroyed. I was always like, ‘I can’t get my head around the version of the character that is so sunny.'” She witnessed the destruction of Krypton firsthand, survived in space, and arrived on Earth as a teenager rather than an infant like Superman. Her connection to the cosmos is deeper and more traumatic than that of most heroes.
The character development aspects that made Guardians emotionally resonant could work even better with Supergirl. Her trauma-informed backstory provides rich material for exploring themes of survival, identity, and finding hope in darkness. If Gunn and his team can balance these deeper elements with the adventure and humor that made Guardians successful, we might actually get something special.
Final Thoughts
Look, James Gunn knows how to make entertaining superhero movies. His track record on Marvel speaks for itself. The Guardians comparison might be predictable, but it’s not necessarily wrong. Suppose Gunn can capture even half the magic that made Guardians of the Galaxy special while giving Supergirl her due as a unique character. In that case, we might be in for something genuinely entertaining. Supergirl will hit the big screens next summer on June 26, 2026.
