DC's Planned Supergirl Movie Should Be a Man of Steel Spin-Off

Ever since the release of Justice League, Warner Bros. so-called DC Extended Universe has been going through an overhaul. After Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman and the superhero team-up film, the studio is now looking to produce films outside of DCEU continuity. The first of those movies, a Joker origin movie, is already in the works. There have also been other reports of various films that will take place outside of DC's main cinematic continuity, which will free up creators to tell different stories without being held back by other films.

But that doesn't meant that the DCEU is on its way out. Before the year is over, fans will get to see James Wan's Aquaman, while 2019 includes the highly-anticipated releases of Shazam! and Wonder Woman 1984. And, in addition to a slew of Bat-family films in various states of development, an the hope for a new Superman film, comes the announcement that a Supergirl film is in the works.

What we don't know yet, is if Supergirl is supposed to be separate from the mainstream continuity, like the Joker origin movie, or if it will be a part of the DCEU. While the firmer is possible, the latter makes more sense. In fact, there's a solid case to be made for Supergirl to be a direct spin-off from Zack Snyder's 2013 film, Man of Steel.

The Man of Steel Connection

Ever since its release, fans have believed that Man of Steel hid a sublte Easter egg indicating Kara Zor-El's existence on Earth in the form of an open pod that could be seen in Clark Kent's Kryptonian spaceship. This belief was only made stronger by a Wal-Mart exclusive comic book meant to be a tie-in to the movie, which made it clear Kara was on the Kryptonian ship thousands of years ago, and was now somewhere in the DCEU. For most fans, introducing Kara Zor-El would just be a pay off of this Easter egg, long ago established.

However, the comic book wasn't truly official canon. In fact, Zack Snyder was recently asked about that very pod, and the director answered that it was meant to serve another purpose, one unrelated to Supergirl. Which, really, might be for the best, because now Supergirl can tell an origin story that is much closer to the comic books.

Man of Steel went to great lengths to introduce a fleshed-out Krypton, and we don't need a separate movie introducing yet another version of that mythos. Instead, Supergirl should be allowed to build from what's been established. The film could show its very own flashbacks on the doomed planet, and see its destruction from the point of view of the young Kryptonian girl who would find herself on Earth years later. What's more, it could also draw some very important comparisons with another Kryptonian audiences are familiar with.

Page 2: [valnet-url-page page=2 paginated=0 text='Supergirl%20Could%20Be%20an%20Important%20Showcase%20for%20Henry%20Cavill%27s%20Superman']

Whether Supergirl ties into established continuity to not, it needs to address the Superman-sized elephant in the room: where is Superman, what is he doing, and why isn't he helping his cousin? Those are all valid questions, and instead of tip-toeing around them and giving vague half-answers, Supergirl should capitalize on the unique bond the super-cousins share, building on the work Snyder and Joss Whedon have already done.

Henry Cavill's Superman received a course-correction of sorts in Justice League, a movie that ended with the character more bright and hopeful than ever before. The character was finally the Superman fans had always waited to see on the big screen, but somehow, there are no announced plans for the actor to appear in other films. This is unfortunate, given that Cavill is so passionate about the role, but it could work to Supergirl's advantage. Since Man of Steel 2 isn't happening any time soon, and with the focus solely on Kara Zor-El, Cavill could be the secondary-lead of the film, playing the role of inspiring mentor.

What better way to show Superman's status as a symbol of hope than to have him introduce Kara Zor-El to life on Earth? If the movie does choose to ignore the tie-in comic, then having Kara crash land on a planet where her cousin is already a hero would be the perfect introduction to the character. She would see the world as alien, and Superman would show her what makes it, and them, human.

To make Cavill's presence even more important, and to prevent him from overshadowing whomever brings Kara to life, he should have limited screen-time. Utilizing the character like Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark in Spider-Man: Homecoming would do wonders for both heroes. Iron Man had an important role to play as a mentor, but it was still very much Peter Parker's film.

A Supergirl film is a bold and fresh idea for DC and Warner Bros. However, the character doesn't have to eclipse Superman. Instead, both characters should be allowed to share the screen together, with each teaching the other a thing or two about what it means to be human, as well as Kryptonian -- but, above all else, about being a hero.

Supergirl, from a script by Oren Uziel, does not have an official release date yet.