The second hero leading a DCU film isn’t Batman, Wonder Woman, or even Swamp Thing; it’s Supergirl. Since her debut in 1959 in the pages of Action Comics #252, Supergirl has been a major part of the DC Universe. The character has, at times, had a complicated origin and was depicted as a shapeshifting android or even a literal angel. The most classic version of Supergirl that most audiences know is the first origin story about Kara Zor-El, cousin of Kal-El, aka Superman.
Since Supergirl is one of the most famous supporting players in Superman’s cast, the character has been adapted numerous times in live-action media. In fact, more people have played Supergirl in live-action than Wonder Woman. While every version of Supergirl that has appeared in live-action has maintained similar backstories, they are all drastically different takes on the Woman of Tomorrow, often reflecting the wider world around them. So, with the new Supergirl film in theaters now, here is my ranking of every live-action version of the hero.
Why You Should Trust Me: I’ve been a contributing writer for MovieWeb for four years, and write news, features, and lists about movies and TV. I specialize in box office breakdowns, film history, and often do deep dives into Marvel and DC projects. My knowledge of Supergirl’s history and my passion for comics allow me to reflect on every depiction of Supergirl in live-action projects.
5
Laura Vandervoort (‘Smallville’)
Despite Smallville’s focus on the early years of Clark Kent before he dons the Superman mantle, the series features many familiar DC faces. Season 7 introduces Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, played by Laura Vandervoort. Vandervoort was a main cast member in Season 7 but left after one season and returned in Season 10 for a guest episode in the final season.
The Smallville incarnation of Supergirl is a fascinating snapshot of where DC Comics stood in the mid-2000s, as Kara Zor-El had only been reintroduced to the comics three years before her live-action television debut. This version of Kara Zor-El is a mentor figure to Clark Kent and helps him learn about his powers and his Kryptonian heritage. Since she’s a fish out of water who needs her cousin’s years of experience growing up on Earth to guide her, she creates a fun and unique dynamic that puts the two of them on equal footing. Vandervoort’s Supergirl is the only one on this list who acts as a supporting player to her more famous cousin.
4
Helen Slater (‘Supergirl)
Helen Slater was the first actor to play Supergirl in live-action and headlined the 1984 solo film, Supergirl. Slater even beat Brooke Shields and Demi Moore (who was later cast as Lucy Lane before dropping out) for the lead role. Despite Supergirl flopping at the box office, Slater’s depiction of Supergirl has been warmly received over the years. Future DC adaptations have recognized her contributions to the wider Superman legacy, as Slater played Clark Kent’s Kryptonian mother, Lara-El, on Smallville. She also played the adopted mother of Kara Zor-El on the CW’s Supergirl.
Part of what makes Slater’s depiction of Supergirl so wonderful is that it is a snapshot of the character as she was in the Silver Age; a year later, DC’s Crisis on Infinite Earths event killed off the original Supergirl. When watching Slater’s version of Supergirl, it feels like she stepped right off the page of her early DC Comics appearances. She even adopts the mild-mannered Linda Lee persona that would be dropped in subsequent adaptations. While future adaptations of Supergirl would pull from more modern source material, Slater’s Supergirl perfectly captures the tone and spirit of the original Pre-Crisis version of the character.
3
Sasha Calle (‘The Flash’)
Despite only appearing in one film — and notably one of DC’s biggest flops — Sasha Calle’s depiction of Supergirl was an absolute highlight of The Flash. This incarnation of Supergirl merges elements from Superman’s Flashpoint story and Superman: Red Son onto the classic Kara Zor-El Supergirl, while visually drawing from the Cir-El incarnation. She is much a gender-flipped version of Henry Cavill’s brooding take on Superman in the DCU.
Calle is magnetic on-screen and makes the most of her limited screen time. It is no surprise that Warner Bros. and DC considered building a new slate of DCEU projects around her. This alternate version of Supergirl was set to survive the events of The Flash and be brought into the main DCEU timeline, eventually meeting her cousin and leading her own spin-off film. Sadly, those plans were scrapped once James Gunn and Peter Safran became the heads of DC Studios, who instead opted for a fresh start with Supergirl. That is unfortunate for Calle, whose time as Supergirl was cut short. Hopefully, in DC’s vast multiverse, she can return one day and share the screen with her replacement, Milly Alcock.
2
Milly Alcock (DCU)
After her brief one-minute cameo at the end of Superman, Milly Alcock’s version of Supergirl became an instant favorite. Even though reviews for Supergirl have been mixed, the one thing everyone seems to agree on is that Milly Alcock is a perfect Supergirl. While most live-action versions of Supergirl tend to be gender-flipped versions of Superman, Alcock’s depiction of Kara Zor-El is notably distinct from her cousin. That makes her a unique hero.
She is cynical and hardened, which is a notable departure from what most audiences expect from Supergirl. This depiction not only helps her stand apart from past incarnations but also defines Supergirl as her own unique character. This is a Supergirl for the current moment, one who has lived through horrors and is just looking to numb the pain. However, Alcock’s Supergirl still maintains her sense of goodness, even if she isn’t always nice. Her depiction showcases the broad umbrella of superheroism and the many forms it takes.
1
Melissa Benoist (Arrowverse)
It is hard to deny that Melissa Benoist has redefined Supergirl for an entire generation. Part of that is the fact that the series has 126 episodes (not counting multiple crossovers) over six years; Benoist’s version of Supergirl is the one we have spent the most time with. Benoist’s charisma allowed Supergirl to not only lead her own series but also naturally fit into the ensemble of the larger Arrowverse superhero community, serving as part of the franchise trinity alongside The Flash and Green Arrow.
Melissa Benoist is a warm and comforting Supergirl, as we would expect from a member of the Superman family, and she feels relatable. The mid-20s character struggles with family, dating, and work, all while shouldering the pressures of being a superhero. The Arrowverse Supergirl series has been called a Superman series with a gender-flipped lead; the character is a blend of the classic Superman archetype and many elements from the Supergirl comics. This version feels both familiar and new.
Even the Supergirl feature film seems to acknowledge Benoist’s impact on the character, because many choices about how the DCU incarnation behaves seem to pivot away from the Arrowverse version. One could argue that the recent Supergirl film and the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic it is based on owe their existence to DC capitalizing on the popularity of Benoist’s Supergirl. That is a level of impact on a character that is difficult to argue with. Melissa Benoist was the right hero for the moment; she meant a lot to many and will continue to inspire.
Who was your favorite Supergirl? Let us know in the comments!
- Release Date
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2015 – 2021-00-00
- Network
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The CW, CBS
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
