![‘Supergirl’ Director Craig Gillespie Says He’d ‘Love’ To Work With Millie Alcock Again, But His DC Future Is TBD [Exclusive]](https://cdn.theplaylist.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/15113719/rev-1-SGRL-05877r_High_Res_JPEG.jpg "‘Supergirl’ Director Craig Gillespie Says He’d ‘Love’ To Work With Millie Alcock Again, But His DC Future Is TBD [Exclusive]")
When Craig Gillespie, the filmmaker behind “I, Tonya,” “Cruella,” and “Dumb Money,” signed on to direct “Supergirl,” he wasn’t necessarily chasing a superhero tentpole. But between Milly Alcock already being attached as Kara Zor-El and a script that quickly locked him into its bruised, irreverent tone, the project started to make sense fast.
As Gillespie told The Playlist in an exclusive interview, the script came to him “kind of out of the blue,” and he still had “reservations” before reading it. But by the second scene, he knew exactly why he wanted in. “I know this movie. I know how to do this,” Gillespie recalled, citing the script’s mix of pathos, humor, and abrupt irreverence.
Alcock was already cast before Gillespie boarded, something he said helped define the movie from the jump. “I did inherit her,” he said. “Very, very fortunately.” The director said he loved Alcock’s work in “House of the Dragon” and in Australia, noting that her previous roles had “scrappiness,” humor, and accessibility.
“There’s almost this independent spirit that I loved,” Gillespie said. “And so being able to know that that’s what James was recognizing as Supergirl, it kind of gave me more license to really lean into that.”
From there, Gillespie pitched himself to James Gunn and Peter Safran with a specific vision for the film, including roughly 120 images and a character-first approach to Kara’s transformation.
“I also pitched that I don’t think we should see her in the superhero outfit till as late as possible in the movie because of the emotional journey she’s on and when she’s ready to actually wear it,” Gillespie said. “And they amazingly embraced all of it.”
That emotional journey is central to Gillespie’s take on the character. The director described Alcock’s Kara as “the reluctant superhero” and is instead running from her own trauma. Through her reluctant bond with Ruthye, played by young actress Eve Ridley, Gillespie said, “Kara begins to recognize what she has not dealt with in herself.”
“She realizes it’s almost like holding a mirror up to herself,” Gillespie explained. “She understands the trauma that she’s been through.”
Given how warmly Gillespie spoke about Alcock and the experience of making the film, the obvious question is whether he might continue in the DC universe, either with more “Supergirl” or something else. For now, the director is not making any declarations, but he sounded very open to the possibility, particularly when it came to reuniting with Alcock.
“Obviously, I’d love to work with Milly again,” Gillespie said. “I loved creating this character with her. We’ll see what happens.”
Gillespie also praised the freedom Gunn gave him, saying the DC Studios co-chief encouraged him to approach “Supergirl” as its own distinct graphic novel rather than another piece of a larger house style.
“I said, ‘How much do you want this movie to be in your universe?’” Gillespie recalled. “And honestly, surprisingly, he’s like, ‘Not at all. This is [like] approaching each of these movies like their own graphic novel. A graphic novel is so distinctive to that writer, that illustrator. This is your graphic novel.’”
That freedom extended through production, with Gillespie saying the movie stayed true to the visual “Bible” he created early on. Gunn became more involved again during postproduction, where Gillespie said their conversations felt more like two filmmakers talking through rhythm, tone, music, score, and scene-by-scene choices than a conventional studio notes process.
As for what’s next, Gillespie said his immediate future is likely television, including a not-yet-officially-announced Apple project with Julia Garner, the Emmy-winning “Ozark” and “Inventing Anna” star. While Gillespie did not name the project, production listings point to the Apple Studios/Tomorrow Studios limited series “Guilty Creatures.”
Gillespie also teased another TV project with Tony McNamara, the Oscar-nominated writer behind “The Favourite” and “Poor Things,” as well as the creator of “The Great.” McNamara also co-wrote “Cruella,” which Gillespie directed. Lastly, Gillespie said he has a project in the works with Glenn Powell, whose recent run includes “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Anyone But You,” “Hit Man,” and “Twisters,” though that one appears to be further under wraps.
And “Cruella 2” remains on the table. “It’s possible,” Gillespie said, adding that the sequel is “on the agenda.” Disney previously put a sequel in development, with Gillespie and McNamara expected to return.
“Supergirl” opens only in theaters on June 26, 2026. Stay tuned for more from The Playlist’s exclusive interview with Gillespie.
![‘Supergirl’ Director Craig Gillespie Says He’d ‘Love’ To Work With Millie Alcock Again, But His DC Future Is TBD [Exclusive]](https://cdn.theplaylist.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/15113714/rev-1-SGRL-09707r_High_Res_JPEG-1024x684.jpg)
Rodrigo Perez is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Playlist, which he launched in 2008. He has worked in entertainment journalism since 2000, including at MTV, and has written for SPIN, IndieWire, Pitchfork, Complex, Magnet, and various music, film, and entertainment publications over the past two decades.
