James Gunn’s recent Superman film introduces audiences to Kendra Saunders, known as Hawkgirl, marking a significant addition to the DC Universe (DCU). While the movie debuted this fierce new hero, it leaves her origins uncertain, sparking curiosity about her backstory within the James Gunn Superman Hawkgirl Origins context.
Hawkgirl’s Debut as a Powerful Member of the Justice Gang
In the film, Isabela Merced portrays Kendra Saunders, who appears as a formidable warrior equipped with wings and a mace, showcasing her combat prowess. She is part of the Justice Gang, a superhero trio financed by Maxwell Lord, the CEO of LordTech. Although the team is assembled by Superman’s allies, its name remains unofficial, with Kendra expressing dissatisfaction towards it.
Hawkgirl features prominently in major action sequences, including the fight against the massive kaiju unleashed by Lex Luthor in Metropolis and a defense operation against the Boravian invasion of Jarhanpur. Despite her visible presence in these key moments alongside Superman and other heroes like Guy Gardner and Mister Terrific, the film offers no exploration of her past, keeping her origins deliberately vague.
Tracing Hawkgirl’s Complex Background Through DC History
Hawkgirl’s origins have long been layered and multifaceted in DC Comics lore. Originally introduced in the Golden Age as an ancient Egyptian priestess cursed to be reincarnated through time, she and Hawkman were tragic lovers eternally bound to rise again after death. However, during the Silver Age, this origin was reimagined; both became alien police officers from the planet Thanagar sent to Earth to study crime and law enforcement.
Following major DC events such as Crisis on Infinite Earths, along with the New 52 and Rebirth storylines, these ideas were merged, intertwining reincarnation with alien ancestry. Hawkgirl’s identity now blends her earthly reincarnations and extraterrestrial heritage, making her backstory rich but complicated. This layered history raises questions about which elements the DCU will adopt following Hawkgirl’s first live-action appearance.
Isabela Merced has confirmed certain aspects of Kendra’s origin in the DCU, emphasizing the trauma connected to memories of past lives, affirming reincarnation as a central theme. She noted that one of these past incarnations involves an alien identity. Complementing this, the Hall of Justice mural seen in the film hints at the broader timeline, featuring Silent Knight—one of Hawkman’s historical reincarnations from the medieval period.
The film’s storyline also subtly emphasizes the alien origins theme; during Lex Luthor’s briefing to the Defense Department, Superman is clearly identified as an alien, unlike other metahumans. This distinction supports the theory that Hawkgirl could be a present-day human bearing memories of previous alien existences. Meanwhile, Carter Hall’s Hawkman has yet to be revealed in the DCU, leaving his status an open question.
Anticipating Hawkgirl’s Expanded Role in Upcoming DCU Projects
Fans are eager to see when Hawkgirl’s complex backstory will be unveiled within the DCU narrative. Her next known appearance is slated for “Peacemaker” season two, where Kendra will share scenes with characters like Guy Gardner and Maxwell Lord, interacting with John Cena’s Chris Smith. However, her role here is expected to be minor, providing little insight into her personal history.
Speculation suggests that a deeper dive into Hawkgirl’s past may come from potential spin-offs, such as the rumored Mister Terrific series. There is also anticipation that a dedicated project centered on Hawkgirl herself might be in development, given her intriguing origins and significant presence in the DCU’s expanding roster.
Despite limited screen time compared to her Justice Gang peers, Hawkgirl’s character holds the most narrative promise because of her layered and mysterious past. The film closes with a politically charged moment where she kills Boravian President Vasil Ghurkos, an act likely to cause repercussions for metahumans and influence future DCU storylines, as hinted at in the movie’s end scenes.
James Gunn’s Superman continues to play in theaters under DC Studios, setting the stage for further exploration of its characters, especially the enigmatic Hawkgirl.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Ozu inspired the new CGI version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman film. Gunn grew up in a Catholic family. He often talks about how prayer still matters to him. However, he has also described himself as somewhat opposed to organized religion.
