James Gunn Responds to ‘Supergirl’ Controversy Involving Former Superman Actor
James Gunn has responded directly to a small but viral fan question about Supergirl, adding new detail to how Kryptonian biology works in the current DC Universe and unintentionally sparking a wider online debate involving a former Superman actor.
The exchange took place on Threads, where DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn was asked how Kara Zor-El, played by Milly Alcock, can have ear piercings if her skin is supposed to be bulletproof. The question quickly gained attention among DC fans, especially because it connects to rules already set up in 2025’s Superman film – and especially because it came from former Superman actor, Dean Cain.
In that movie, the DC Universe establishes that Kryptonians lose their powers under a red sun. Without a yellow sun, they become physically normal and vulnerable like humans. The film even shows Supergirl arriving at the Fortress of Solitude while intoxicated after visiting a red sun planet, reinforcing the idea that she can behave like an ordinary person under those conditions.
Gunn responded to the fan by explaining that the same logic applies to her ear piercings. He wrote, “As explained in ‘Superman,’ the same way she gets drunk — she goes to a planet with a red sun. Not to mention she was raised on a chunk of Krypton, so didn’t even experience superpowers until her teens.”
His answer also connects to Kara’s backstory in this version of the DC Universe. She grew up on Argo City, a surviving piece of Krypton that exists under a red sun. That means she spent years living without powers before later gaining them on Earth. This detail explains how she could have lived a normal teenage life, including getting piercings, before becoming fully superpowered.
Cain has previously criticized James Gunn’s approach to Superman, including comments about the character being framed as an immigrant in the modern DC Universe.
In earlier remarks, Cain said, “How woke is Hollywood going to make this character? How much is Disney going to change their Snow White? Why are they going to change these characters [to] exist for the times?” He also referenced Superman’s traditional slogan, pointing out changes in wording from earlier versions of the character’s messaging.
By sharing the Supergirl discussion, Cain brought more attention to Gunn’s explanation, turning a simple fan question into a wider online argument about how DC characters are being updated for modern storytelling.
Gunn’s response was not originally meant to be a major statement. It was a straightforward clarification about established rules in the DC Universe. However, once Cain amplified the conversation, it quickly became part of a larger debate between fans of older Superman interpretations and supporters of the new DC direction.
DC Studios’ upcoming Supergirl film, starring Milly Alcock, is set to explore Kara Zor-El in a different light. The story is expected to show her in situations where she loses her powers on a red sun planet, forcing her to rely on survival skills and allies rather than strength alone. The film is scheduled to release in the United States on June 26.
What began as a simple question about ear piercings has now turned into another moment of online DCU discussion, highlighting how even small details in superhero storytelling can grow into larger conversations about continuity, interpretation, and character legacy.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
