Jason Momoa’s Lobo Is the Key to Supergirl’s Big-Screen Journey, James Gunn Just Explained Why

Jason Momoa has officially joined the new DC Universe in a surprising and fitting role. He’s playing Lobo, the wild alien bounty hunter, in the upcoming Supergirl movie. According to DC Studios co-head James Gunn, Lobo isn’t just a side character, he’s a key part of the film’s story.

Momoa, who previously played Aquaman in the old DC Extended Universe, had a clear idea of what he wanted next. Gunn shared that the actor sent him a short message that simply read, “F**king LOBO.” That message kicked off a new chapter for Momoa and the DCU.

Lobo will make his first appearance in Supergirl, which was earlier called Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The movie is part of “Gods and Monsters,” the first phase of the rebooted DC Universe under Gunn and Peter Safran.

Speaking on the DC Studios Showcase podcast, Gunn said the film draws inspiration from the comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. But the movie won’t follow the comic exactly. Gunn explained, “The comic is a bunch of little stories. We needed to create one throughline, one three-act story… and so, Lobo helps us to do that.”

In the comics, Lobo is known for his brutal and over-the-top style. He’s sarcastic, violent, and never follows the rules. He was introduced in 1983 but gained more attention in the 1990s as a tough, darkly funny character. Gunn said he’s always wanted to bring Lobo to the big screen. “I think he’s maybe, in some ways, the biggest comic book character that’s never been in a film,” he said.

While Lobo won’t be in most of the movie, Gunn confirmed that his role is important. He won’t just be there for laughs or action, he actually helps drive the plot. The character is entirely separate from the film’s director, Craig Gillespie. “It’s not an amalgamation of him and Craig. He’s a totally separate character, he’s himself. I love Lobo,” Gunn said.

The movie follows Supergirl, also known as Kara Zor-El, as she goes on a dangerous journey through space. Unlike Superman, Kara has faced more pain and loss, which gives the film a darker tone. The story includes Supergirl’s parents, Zor-El and Alura, her dog Krypto, and a young girl named Ruthye Marye Knoll.

Filming began in early 2025 and wrapped by May, mostly shot in the UK and Scotland. Gunn said he wasn’t on set much but fully trusted director Gillespie with the film’s vision.

The project has a long history. Warner Bros. once planned a Supergirl movie in the old DCEU, and Sasha Calle even played the character in The Flash (2023). But after major changes at the studio, that version was dropped. Gunn and Safran decided to start over. They kept writer Ana Nogueira, who had already worked on an earlier version, after being impressed with her work. Gunn said her script was so strong that it helped push the movie forward faster.

Interestingly, the original comic writer Tom King once pitched the idea of a Supergirl and Lobo team-up, inspired by the movie True Grit. That idea is now becoming a reality on screen.

Although the spotlight is on Supergirl, Lobo’s presence will leave a strong impact. It’s still unclear whether Momoa will appear first in Superman (2025), but Gunn didn’t rule it out.

With a galaxy-spanning plot and a bold mix of characters, Supergirl is shaping up to be a major shift for DC. It’s not just another superhero movie — it could mark the start of a very different kind of universe.

Jason Momoa as Lobo feels like a perfect match, and bringing him into Supergirl adds excitement to a story that could have easily been overlooked. It’s smart of DC to use Lobo to anchor the film’s structure while letting Supergirl’s story lead the way. This move might be exactly what the DC Universe needs right now, a fresh tone, bold characters, and less of the same old formula.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!