Isabela Merced Reveals Dark Secrets of Her Grumpy Hawkgirl Character in Superman!

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Summary

  • Isabela Merced revealed that her Hawkgirl character is “reincarnated from an alien,” adding complexity and a “grumpy demeanor.”
  • Merced’s emotional portrayal of Kendra, with memories of past lives, sets her apart as a tragic, battle-hardened soul.
  • The multi-layered portrayal of Hawkgirl by Merced, seasoned with humor and relatability, should add depth to the DC Universe.

This year, Superman movie is generating a lot of excitement. One of its cast members has revealed additional information about their character, even delving into the origin of their grumbly disposition.

The first film in the reimagined DC Universe (DCU) is titled “Superman,” which is being helmed by co-chairmen and co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, who recently took over DC Studios. Gunn himself is penning and directing this movie. Some of its stars include David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt/Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho, and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern. One of the actors has recently shared insights about their character in this project.

Merced discussed the backstory of Kendra in the upcoming ‘Superman’ movie. On a recent podcast, she shared that Kendra is reborn from an alien lifeform, retaining memories that make her a complex character with a quick temper.

The tale is significantly grim, to the point where I’m puzzled about how they plan to address such a distressing topic. It seems that she bears all the recollections, pain, and errors from her past lives within her, which may explain her somewhat cranky disposition.

Kendra’s tale might be somber, but Merced stated that she had sufficient background to embody the character convincingly. Moreover, she thanked Gunn for incorporating a unique “twist,” “self-awareness,” and humor into her role. She further mentioned, “I get to put a humorous spin on my experiences, which is something I often do.” Hawkgirl is a complex character with connections to mythology and cosmic science fiction, exhibiting strength, independence, and a warrior’s heart. Unlike her comic counterpart who has no memory of past lives, Merced’s version presents a stark contrast. Her self-awareness will undoubtedly contribute significantly to her narrative.

Getting A Young Actor Of Isabela Merced’s Caliber For Hawkgirl Is A Coup For DC

By virtue of Merced’s portrayal, her Hawkgirl character carries the weight of past lives, giving her a rich, complex persona. In Gunn’s Superman film, she transcends being merely a winged warrior; she is a tragic figure, scarred by countless battles and lifetimes. The anticipation mounts as we wonder how Merced will bring to life Kendra’s emotional depth, given her numerous lifetimes of sorrow, remorse, loss, and trauma. Her internal strife lends an air of humanity to her character, making it more relatable. Moreover, audiences are captivated by characters with inner turmoil as it imbues them with a sense of reality.

Marvel Studios employed a similar technique by making the main characters in Thunderbolts more relatable by portraying them as complex individuals. Characters like Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova grapple with personal issues such as depression, and Lewis Pullman’s Bob/The Sentry confront multiple mental health challenges including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and dissociative identity disorder. Unlike most superheroes who face one major trauma, Hawkgirl is burdened by a millennium of pain, setting her apart. Yet, Gunn infused humor into her character, which could serve as a coping mechanism, making her feel authentic rather than just overly brooding and grim. Although Hawkgirl may be a secondary character, she is undeniably one of the most intriguing and multi-dimensional heroes in the new DC Universe, and it’s unlikely fans will find it difficult to keep their focus on her.

Superman will hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

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2025-05-24 20:14