Current Supergirl Actress in Development
The most prominent live-action Supergirl project currently in development is the new DC Studios film Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The role is confirmed to be played by Mila Kunis, who was officially cast by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran as part of the new DCU slate. This marks a major recasting for the character after previous interpretations in television and film. The film is described as a bold, R-rated reimagining of the Supergirl mythos, positioning Kunis as the primary live-action Kara Zor-El for the current era of DC cinema.
Mila Kunis is a Ukrainian-born American actress known for roles in That '70s Show and Black Swan. Her casting in the DCU was announced alongside other key projects under Gunn and Safran's oversight, signaling a shift toward more mature, creator-driven storytelling. The film is currently in pre-production with no confirmed theatrical release date, but it is listed as a priority project within the new DCU chapter one lineup.
Previous Live-Action Supergirl Portrayals
Television Interpretations
Before the upcoming film, the most visible live-action Supergirl was Melissa Benoist, who starred in the CW series Supergirl from 2015 to 2021. The show ran for six seasons and was the first superhero series centered on a female lead, airing under the Arrowverse banner. Benoist's portrayal defined the character for a generation of TV audiences and established a strong connection between the show and DC's broader television universe.
Prior to Benoist, Laura Benanti and Helen Slater also portrayed versions of Supergirl in television and film. Slater notably played the character in the 1984 film Supergirl, which remains a cult classic. These earlier performances laid the groundwork for the modern interpretation, though none had the sustained narrative impact of the CW series or the upcoming DC Studios film.
Supergirl in the Broader DC Universe
DCU Integration and Future Projects
The new Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow film is expected to integrate into the larger DCU framework overseen by Gunn and Safran. This includes connections to other upcoming projects such as Superman (2025) and Wallace, creating a shared continuity across film and television. The DCU is being rebuilt as a cohesive multimedia franchise, with casting decisions like Kunis's role playing a critical part in establishing the new era's creative direction.
Supergirl's inclusion in the DCU reflects the studio's strategy to expand its roster of heroes beyond Batman and Superman. The character's Kryptonian origin and family ties to Superman provide a natural bridge for crossover storylines. As the DCU moves forward, the actress playing Supergirl will be central to how the franchise explores themes of legacy, power, and identity in its upcoming slate of films and series.