DC Studios co-head Peter Safran doesn’t buy the idea that audiences are tired of superhero movies.
Speaking with the Associated Press as part of its summer 2026 movie preview, Safran said the problem isn’t superheroes. It’s weak movies.
“I never felt that there was superhero fatigue. I felt it was mediocre movie fatigue. You gotta try something new. You have to change the game a little bit. The essential story on which Supergirl is based is something cool and original and we haven’t seen before,” Safran said.
Safran Says Supergirl Is Trying Something Different
Safran’s comments come as DC Studios prepares to release Supergirl on June 26, 2026, with Milly Alcock starring as Kara Zor-El. The film is one of the major superhero titles on the summer schedule, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day following on July 31.
The movie is based on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the acclaimed comic book series by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. The story follows Kara across space and presents a much different version of Supergirl than the traditional hopeful, Earth-raised Superman-style hero.
That seems to be what Safran is pointing to when he says DC has to “change the game a little bit.”
DC Is Betting On A Different Kind Of Superhero Movie
The superhero genre has taken hits in recent years, with several Marvel and DC films underperforming or failing to connect with audiences.
Safran’s argument is that audiences didn’t reject superheroes outright. They rejected movies that felt stale, repetitive, or not worth seeing in theaters.
That puts pressure on Supergirl to deliver something different. The film can’t just be another cape movie with the same formula.
Supergirl Is A Big Test For The New DCU
Supergirl also marks a major test for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU following Superman.
The character appeared in Superman, but this will be her first solo film under the new DC Studios banner. Alcock leads the cast, with Craig Gillespie directing and Ana Nogueira writing the script.
The movie also arrives during a packed summer that includes The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, Disclosure Day, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
AP notes that the summer movie corridor remains Hollywood’s biggest stretch, accounting for about 40% of the yearly box office.
That means Supergirl won’t have much room for error.
