The second movie in DCU Chapter One is finally here. But, although Supergirl is a standalone movie, it does technically follow on from last year's Superman. But does it set up the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow?
Starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, the new movie picks up around a year after Superman, as Supergirl celebrates her 23rd birthday with more partying. But the hero is soon pulled out of her rut when tragedy strikes too close to home, putting her dog Krypto in grave danger. She must join forces with unlikely companions Jason Momoa's Lobo and Eve Ridley's Ruthye for an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.
This isn't the first time we have seen Alcock take flight, as the star made her Supergirl debut in Superman, and David Coresnwet returns the favour by making a cameo or two in the new movie. But Superman didn't really set up Supergirl, so does the new movie follow suit? Below, we break down if and how Supergirl sets up Man of Tomorrow. For more, check out our Supergirl review and Supergirl ending explained.
Does Supergirl set up Man of Tomorrow?
Technically speaking, no, Supergirl doesn't really set up Man of Tomorrow in the traditional sense. There is no Supergirl post-credits scene teasing how the Superman sequel starts. Plus, the movie takes place over just three days around Supergirl's 23rd birthday, which would be September 2026 on the DCU timeline. Thanks to James Gunn confirming Man of Tomorrow's timeline, we know it will take place more or less in the present time, in Summer 2027. So, anything could happen in the 10-month gap. However, Supergirl will appear in Man of Tomorrow.
The movie does set up Supergirl's future. Supergirl ends with Kara returning to Earth with Krypto, where she tells her cousin Clark Kent that she is going to stay for a while. Earlier in the movie, we see that Kara didn't take too well to life in Metropolis when she first landed from her home planet, Krypton. After that, she went off on her own into space. But her intergalactic journey hunting Krem must have changed her tune.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Supergirl executive producer Lars P. Winther all but confirmed Supergirl will still be earthside in Man of Tomorrow. "Man of Tomorrow, which is what we’re shooting now, [Alcock] is in that movie," said Winther. "[Supergirl] ends a particular way, and you see where she’s going to end up. She’s done her wild ways, and now she’s going to try to get back in with her cousin and be more on Earth again. That’s where she is in Man of Tomorrow. It’s all more Earth-based."
Now that Supergirl is on Earth, she can help her cousin fight Brainiac in the upcoming sequel. After all, at the end of the movie, Kent tells Kara that he could have used her help on the "last one." We presume the "one" he is referring to is Lex Luthor.
Supergirl is out in cinemas in the UK, and hits US theatres on June 26. For more, check out our guide on how to watch DC movies in order, and keep up with upcoming DC movies and shows.
