Supergirl’s (Milly Alcock) surprise entrance late in the Superman film generated significant discussion, especially due to how she arrives by crashing into the Fortress of Solitude to retrieve her dog, Krypto, before flying away. Her presence in the movie quickly raised fan speculation regarding her age and relationship with Superman (David Corenswet), since in traditional comics, Superman was an infant when sent to Earth while Supergirl appeared as a pre-teen, implying she was older. This raised the question: if she is older, should she have been aware of her cousin’s destiny as Earth’s ruler instead of just a protector?
James Gunn addressed this confusion in a recent interview, clarifying that within the DC Universe (DCU), Supergirl is actually canonically younger than Superman. He challenged the assumption by pointing out that
“
assuming that everybody on Krypton is the same,
”
is misleading and explained that because Supergirl is younger, she
wouldn’t know anything about his parents.
This nuanced explanation complicates the traditional understanding of their backstory and even puzzled seasoned fans. So, what does Gunn’s statement really mean about Supergirl’s age relative to Superman?
Understanding Supergirl’s Age Differences in the Comics
Fans who revisited the comics following Gunn’s statement found that his interpretation has merit, though it differs from common perceptions. In the original stories, Kara Zor-El, or Supergirl, is indeed younger than Kal-El (Superman) in a specific sense. Superman was sent as an infant from Krypton by his father Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) just before the planet’s destruction. Supergirl, meanwhile, was a pre-teen residing in Argo City, which survived Krypton’s explosion by breaking off from the planet. At that moment, Supergirl is chronologically older than Kal-El because she was born before him and survived the initial cataclysm at an older age.
However, years after Krypton’s fall, Argo City faces its own collapse. Zor-El, Supergirl’s father and Jor-El’s younger brother, sends her to Earth to safeguard her and their last surviving Kryptonian cousin. But Supergirl’s escape pod is diverted into the Phantom Zone, a pocket dimension where time does not advance. Although the exact duration is unclear, she remains in stasis there long enough for Kal-El to grow into a full-grown Superman. Since time stands still for her, Supergirl remains biologically a teenager despite her chronological age being older.
Meanwhile, time moves forward normally in the rest of the universe, so when Supergirl finally reaches Earth, she appears physically younger than Superman, who is depicted as being in his 30s during the film’s events. This time discrepancy means that although Supergirl was born first and is chronologically older, she is biologically younger due to her time trapped in the Phantom Zone. This overlap creates a complex and confusing timeline for her character’s age in relation to her cousin.
How Supergirl’s Age Shapes Her Character Complexity
Supergirl’s unusual age dynamic adds layers to her character within the comics and the DC Universe. Because her time in the Phantom Zone halts her aging, she experiences the universe differently from Superman, contributing to their distinct roles and perspectives as Kryptonian survivors. This time displacement affects not just her physical age but her understanding of Krypton’s history and its people, explaining why she might be unaware of the full intentions behind Superman’s arrival on Earth.
James Gunn’s reveal highlights this complexity, reinforcing that conventional assumptions based solely on birth order do not fully apply to these characters. The age twist challenges fans to rethink Supergirl’s role within Superman’s story, especially concerning her knowledge of their shared heritage.
Could Both Characters Be Younger Than Expected in the DC Universe?
The possibility that Supergirl is both chronologically and biologically younger than Superman in the DC Universe builds on the hinted massive Kryptonian twists in the film. If she is younger in both senses, this reshapes the usual narrative by depicting Supergirl as a protector emerging after Superman has already taken on his heroic role. Such a portrayal aligns with the film’s decision to introduce her toward the end, emphasizing her different journey and timeline.
This approach supports a fresh interpretation of Kryptonian legacy where Supergirl’s character grows into her role separate from Superman’s established path, adding unpredictability to the DCU’s storytelling.
Main Cast Behind These Complex Roles
Milly Alcock stars as Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl, bringing the character’s nuanced age and backstory to life. Alongside her, Matthias Schoenaerts plays Krem of the Yellow Hills, and Eve Ridley portrays Ruthye Mary Knolle. Jason Momoa appears as Lobo, enriching the Kryptonian narrative with his presence. David Corenswet leads as Superman, whose complex relationship with Supergirl and Kryptonian heritage is central to the story. The combined performances help convey the layered plot details surrounding Krypton’s downfall, Argo City’s fate, and the shifting timelines of its surviving children.
