The new DC Universe is facing its first major crisis after the release of Supergirl. James Gunn and Peter Safran’s revitalized DCU is suddenly on shaky ground after the disastrous debut of Supergirl.

Starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, the highly anticipated film opened to just $38 million domestically and roughly $68 million worldwide over its first weekend.

Now, the Studio Insiders have revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that, reportedly, James Gunn and Craig Gillespie had some creative differences.

They were not creatively aligned’ is the polite way of describing things.

The sudden flop has left industry analysts and fans wondering if the new DCU can survive outside of its most recognizable characters

Supergirl‘s $38M opening weekend puts James Gunn’s DCU on edge

Milly Alcock In The Film "Supergirl"
Milly Alcock in a scene from the 2026 film Supergirl./ Image Credit: Warner Bros.

The box office numbers paint a grim picture for the Craig Gillespie-directed blockbuster. Supergirl not only failed to capture the top spot, falling far behind Pixar’s Toy Story 5, but its $38 million opening also places it behind historic DC flops like 2023’s The Flash ($55 million) and 2011’s Green Lantern ($53 million) (via Fortune).

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Word of mouth also appears to be hurting the film’s chances of a bounce-back, as audiences gave it a disappointing “B-” CinemaScore and critics stamped it with a “rotten” 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, despite the panic online, DC Studios leadership remains steadfast.

In a recent interview with THR, co-CEO Peter Safran admitted the movie fell short of expectations but emphasized that Supergirl is just one piece of a much larger, long-term strategy for the DCU.

If the studio hopes to keep the new DC Universe afloat, future installments will need to rely on undeniable quality and bulletproof marketing rather than just brand loyalty.

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As the dust settles on this $170 million gamble, the pressure on Gunn’s upcoming slate has never been higher, proving that in today’s unforgiving theatrical landscape, even the Man of Steel’s cousin isn’t invincible.

Have you watched Supergirl yet? Let us know your thoughts about DCU’s 2nd baby in the comments!

Supergirl is currently playing in theaters worldwide.