Supergirl - The Most Predictable Of Disasters

Overview

This episode dissects the commercial and critical failure of the Supergirl movie, exploring the reasons behind its poor reception and broader implications for the DC Universe under James Gunn's leadership. The discussion critiques the film's creative choices, marketing missteps, and cultural context, while addressing myths surrounding its failure.

Notable Quotes

- Men are perfectly happy to support female-led movies on three conditions: they don’t [__] on men, the female lead is likable, and they’re actually good. – The Critical Drinker, on why Supergirl failed to resonate with audiences.

- James Gunn is a director at heart, not a studio head. He doesn’t have the big-picture creative vision to manage an entire cinematic universe like this. – The Critical Drinker, critiquing Gunn's leadership of the DCU.

- The writing philosophy behind characters like Cara is like five years out of date. As a culture, we are so [__] over the whole deconstructed hero thing now. – The Critical Drinker, on the outdated creative approach of Supergirl.

🎥 The Box Office Disaster

- Supergirl grossed only $37 million domestically, underperforming even compared to other poorly received superhero films like Morbius and The Marvels.

- The film's failure is described as a calamity for James Gunn, the DCU, and the superhero genre as a whole.

- The host argues that the movie's failure was predictable due to poor marketing, lack of audience appeal, and a declining interest in superhero films.

🦸‍♀️ Missteps in Character and Casting

- The protagonist, Cara, was criticized for being unlikable, arrogant, and self-absorbed, alienating audiences, particularly men, who are the primary demographic for superhero films.

- Casting Millie Alco, a relatively unknown actress, was seen as a misstep. Her lack of media training and awkward promotional interviews further hurt the film's perception.

- The film's attempt to position itself as a feminist narrative without offering a compelling or relatable lead character was deemed a significant flaw.

📉 Outdated Creative Trends

- The deconstructed hero trope, once seen as edgy, is now considered tired and overused. The film's reliance on this approach made it feel dated and uninspired.

- The host criticizes the writing as lazy and cynical, failing to create an authentic or engaging story.

🎬 James Gunn's Leadership Under Fire

- James Gunn's management of the DCU is described as disorganized, with a lack of cohesive vision or strategy.

- His focus on obscure projects like Peacemaker and Creature Commandos is seen as a distraction from building a strong foundation with iconic characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

- The host argues that Gunn's approach is ill-suited for a cinematic universe struggling to compete with Marvel's established success.

🛑 Myths About the Film's Failure

- Myth 1: Millie Alco's personal behavior caused the film's failure. The host refutes this, blaming poor casting decisions and lack of studio support instead.

- Myth 2: Men dislike female-led superhero films. The success of Wonder Woman is cited as evidence that audiences will support well-made, likable female-led films.

- Myth 3: Critics and fans sabotaged the film to undermine James Gunn. The host dismisses this as overestimating the influence of online commentators and Snyderverse loyalists.