'Supergirl' Looks a Hell of a Lot Like a Guardians of the Galaxy Movie

Considering there will be no MCU or DCU feature releases until Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Supergirl in July and June, respectively, it means that trailers have become gold dust for those looking forward to their next trip to the cinema for a superhero film. Already, fans are eagerly awaiting the Avengers: Doomsday trailers that are being shown before Avatar: Fire and Ash in four different versions, and the release of the Supergirl trailer has received over 21 million views in just 6 days. With fans scouring nearly every frame of the 2-minute teaser trailer, you can be sure that no stone will be left unturned when it comes to details, Easter eggs, or visual references.

For the latter, perhaps the most obvious of these is the fact that the aesthetic of Supergirl is remarkably similar to that of James Gunn’s previous sci-fi superhero flick in the MCU, Guardians of the Galaxy. While some fans may have preferred a unique look, this is a smart choice by Gunn and DC Studios. Not only does it create a colorful universe, but allows for a cohesive yet nuanced tone that follows through each of the Superman-adjacent films and characters.

‘Supergirl’ Has Major ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Vibes

For those who are already massive Gunn and Guardians of the Galaxy fans, this parallel will have seemed clear from the outset of the trailer. The 80s rock track used, Blondie‘s “Call Me,” will remind viewers of the upbeat and bouncy tone that “Come and Get Your Love” provided when Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is dancing in the opening scene of Guardians. Surrounding this, since Supergirl appears to be set almost completely off-Earth, with Gunn describing it as a “space adventure” during an interview with Rolling Stone while comparing the film directly to Guardians, and the visual parallels are clear when looking at the set design of the bar Kara (Milly Alcock) is shown in for much of the trailer.

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What is a familiar environment to most gets a makeover with alien technology, with the disco ball descending from the ceiling, and ceiling fans having green fluorescent lights in them. The color palette is allowed to be more creative than a typical human bar, making it a feast for the eyes, the same way the bar where Drax (Dave Bautista) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper) almost fought was in Guardians. Additionally, the off-world setting also allows for more variety in the background characters and extras, with the large, mace-wielding mercenary who swings at Kara being a clear example of a character design we wouldn’t see in Superman. This allows Kara to face more interesting opponents and create a universe that feels expansive and unpredictable, just like Gunn created in Guardians, where everyone felt like an entertaining oddball.

A Fun Yet Complex Tone is Exactly What ‘Supergirl’ Needs After ‘Superman’

In the end, the most important consequence of this aesthetic and variety is how it makes the film fun to watch, and that is what Supergirl should be. With Superman‘s own joyful energy, it would feel odd to pivot to a bleak tone, yet Supergirl builds on the tone established in Superman. As her line about seeing “the truth” in people, while Clark (David Corenswet) sees “the good in everybody,” presents a nice contrast, especially for fans who felt Superman was too cheesy at times. By keeping the fun atmosphere and somehow creating an even more in-depth setting than Metropolis felt like, it’s clear to see how these two characters can be compared, making both of their viewpoints feel valid, as they both come from the same place with an easy-going approach to the world. While that means Clark can be more hopeful, it makes Kara more cynical, yet they are both still heroes we are happy to root for.

In Guardians, this similar balancing of hope and cynicism was done with characters like Peter and Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), as both were criminals, yet presented intriguing debates over their optimism and pessimism. With this being the case and Supergirl taking a similar approach, viewers can feel in good hands as we get more promo for Supergirl and see more of the world and narrative Gunn and Craig Gillespie are creating. One thing is for sure: if it keeps on taking its cues from some of Gunn’s previous work, like Guardians, fans will be in for a very fun and emotional ride come June next year.

Supergirl comes to theaters on June 6, 2026.