DC Fans Think True Grit Holds Clues About Supergirl

Summary

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow draws inspiration from True Grit, featuring a revenge-driven hero aiding a young girl.
The upcoming Supergirl film, directed by Craig Gillespie, will explore themes of vengeance and justice in a cosmic setting.
Fans eagerly anticipate the unique adaptation, acknowledging parallels to the classic Western novel and anticipating creative changes.

When James Gunn shared a picture of Milly Alcock in her Kara Zor-El costume on Instagram, fans quickly started debating in the comments section about how the Coen brothers’ movie, True Grit, could have hints related to the forthcoming Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Though it may sound far-fetched, they might just be onto something.

According to the comic “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming Supergirl film directed by Craig Gillespie, set for release in 2026. What’s got fans talking is that the story seems influenced by Charles Portis’s novel “True Grit,” as its author has openly acknowledged. It’s not just about themes, as King himself has hinted at being drawn to the concept of a hero helping a determined young girl seeking revenge. Essentially, you can see the genetic connection if you replace Rooster Cogburn and Mattie Ross with Supergirl and Ruthye Marye Knoll.

Gunn’s Supergirl With a Gun? Not Exactly, But… It’s Not Really All That Far Off, Either

2021’s comic storyline propels Supergirl, who is usually depicted as an optimistic and less battle-hardened counterpart to Superman, on a vengeful intergalactic mission. Accompanying her is Ruthye, a young alien, who seeks retribution for the murder of her father at the hands of war criminal Krem from the Yellow Hills. Ruthye’s quest goes beyond seeking justice; she yearns for retaliation.

Gunn isn’t personally directing the Supergirl movie, but he’s heavily involved in its creation as co-CEO of DC Studios and a producer for the project. You can expect his influence on it to be significant. He’s made it clear that this version of Supergirl is quite different from the one portrayed in the TV series Supergirl. In this story, Kara was born from a piece of Krypton that survived longer and witnessed devastation before arriving on Earth. This darker upbringing has influenced how she perceives the world around her.

The upcoming movie version is set to be the second live-action film in director James Gunn’s fresh DC Universe, succeeding his directed “Superman” which premieres this summer with David Corenswet portraying the lead character. Milly Alcock, famously known for her role as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” has been chosen to play Supergirl. Gunn announced her casting in January 2024 and later shared a sneak peek on Instagram, sparking comparisons with “True Grit” once again.

Fans Are Torn About The Comic’s Influence and Gunn’s Approach

One Reddit user confessed they appreciated the comic but felt it had a strong resemblance to “True Grit set in space.” Another concurred, labeling the comic as “almost a science-fiction reimagining,” yet commending the production for its aesthetic appeal. The Western’s impact will undoubtedly be significant, but viewers are also receptive to James Gunn and “Woman of Tomorrow” screenwriter Ana Nogueira deviating from the original plan. “This is an adaptation where I think changes are desirable,” penned one commenter, recognizing the potential that a move from Western to outer space settings offers. Some predicted these adjustments might already be in progress, hinting at Lobo’s (Jason Momoa) role in the movie. “I believe they’re making some alterations, which is why Lobo will feature in the film,” one fan hypothesized.

Is Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Really Nothing More Than True Grit In Space?

In a piece for “Women Write About Comics”, Cori McCreery delves into the striking similarities between “True Grit” and “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”, posing the question, “at what point does an homage transition into something that resembles plagiarism?

In the comic, the narrative opens on a barren alien planet under a reddish sun, where Supergirl, attempting to numb her sorrow, finds solace in drinking. This portrayal cleverly mirrors Rooster Cogburn’s (played by Jeff Bridges in the 2010 adaptation of True Grit) alcohol-laced weariness: just as Kara Zor-El is here depicted as damaged, unrefined, and resistant to being a hero. When Ruthye Marye Knoll implores her aid following her father’s murder, Supergirl doesn’t immediately spring into action with optimism or justice in mind. Instead, she hesitates, complains, drinks—and ultimately agrees.

In a manner reminiscent of the reluctant partnership between young Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) and Rooster, there emerges a tale bearing similarities, albeit with its own unique flavor. Ruthye, much like Mattie, is a young woman who is determined, steadfast, and relentless in her pursuit of justice. Her narrative, imbued with grandeur and formality, mirrors the solemnity characteristic of an epic Western, yet it subtly incorporates a more mythic tone to the precocious voice portrayed in the novel.

Though one narrative unfolds in the American West and another in outer space alongside a super-canine from Krypton, there are remarkable similarities. Both stories revolve around young females compelled by the pursuit of justice, accompanied by a troubled, emotionally scarred hero. In the movie True Grit, Mattie navigates through lawless territories with the rough and rowdy Rooster Cogburn. Meanwhile, in Woman of Tomorrow, Ruthye journeys across bizarre and perilous planets alongside a mourning Supergirl whose Kryptonian values are put to the test at each step.

In both tales, there’s a struggle depicted between the blurred lines of retribution and justice. Actions have repercussions – Mattie sacrifices her arm, and Ruthye loses her purity. The guiding characters also undergo transformations: Rooster unearths his long-lost sense of fairness, while Supergirl regains her aspirations and direction thanks to Ruthye’s faith in her. On a thematic level, each narrative intertwines the maturation process with a challenging moral terrain. However, Woman of Tomorrow infuses its narrative with a cosmic significance, adding a profound layer to its queries and outcomes.

True Grit vs. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow – A Comparison

Story Element	True Grit (2010)	Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2021)
Protagonist	Mattie Ross — young, determined, seeking revenge for her father’s death	Ruthye Marye Knoll — young, determined, seeking revenge for her father’s death
Mentor Figure	Rooster Cogburn — jaded, morally ambiguous, reluctant hero	Supergirl — grieving, disillusioned, reluctant hero
POV & Voice	Formal-tone narration by Mattie	Formal-tone narration by Ruthye
Setting	American frontier — harsh, lawless	Alien worlds — surreal, symbolic
Moral Themes	Justice vs. revenge; the cost of violence	Cosmic justice vs. personal vengeance; moral restraint
Mentor Arc	Rooster redeems himself through action	Supergirl rediscovers her purpose through Ruthye’s belief
Genre	Western, action/adventure	Action/adventure, sci-fi, space western

Reddit Theorists Are Here For James Gunn’s Darker, Wilder DCU

Fans of DC movies on Reddit are essentially conducting a movie analysis class now. In the subreddit r/DC_Cinematic, they break down lighting styles in the Coen Brothers’ “True Grit” and compare them to the Alcock teaser image. However, what truly stands out is their ability to identify that the film closely follows J.A. Portis’ novel, scene for scene. The characters, plot structure, and emotional development – all these elements are remarkably consistent with the original work.

Going beyond the comparison points for “True Grit,” these insights indicate that DC fans are not just excited, but deeply immersed and eagerly anticipating how the adaptation will interact with its Western roots. This active conversation is a positive indicator that Gunn’s performance will either meet or exceed the already high expectations for box office success.

The upcoming movie titled “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” is set to premiere on June 26, 2026, promising a unique twist on the Superman universe. With Craig Gillespie at the helm, Milly Alcock as the main character, and James Gunn guiding the overall direction, DC’s portrayal of Kara Zor-El is taking shape to be less reminiscent of “Man of Steel” and more akin to the gritty, space-themed western feel of the Coen Brothers’ “True Grit” with futuristic weapons.

2025-04-08 16:25