Like many DC Comics characters, a few different heroes have held the "Hawkgirl" mantle since the character was created in 1940.
The first was Shiera Sanders Hall, with Shayera Hol and Kendra Saunders following. Later, it was established that Shiera was Kendra's ancestor; as for Shayera, she's a separate character who ultimately became Hawkwoman.
We'd expected Superman's Hawkgirl - where she'll be played by Madame Web and The Last of Us star Isabela Merced - to be Kendra, and that's now been confirmed by DC Studios boss and filmmaker James Gunn.
"Today is the anniversary of Kendra Saunders' first appearance as [Hawkgirl]!" he said on Instagram yesterday. "While Kendra took flight in JSA Secret Files #1 in 1999 under writers James Robinson and David S. Goyer and artists Louis Small Jr. and Michael Bair, Hawkgirl first hit stands in 1940 as Shiera Sanders-Hall in Flash Comics #1 written by Gardner Fox and drawn by Dennis Neville."
"So excited for [Isabel Merced] to don the wings in [Superman]! (Art from Hawkgirl #2 by Adriano Lucas & Amancay Nahuelpan)."
In the comics, Kendra's story begins with her suicide attempt, which results in the spirit of her ancestor, Shiera Hall (the original Hawkgirl and the lover of Hawkman), merging with her body. This reincarnation gives Kendra the memories and abilities of Shiera, including the use of Nth metal wings and weaponry, which grant her flight and enhanced strength.
"I was a DC kid growing up," Merced previously said of being cast in Superman. "We had the action figures, and most of them were so old and used that the paint had come off… But I really adored Hawkgirl. I had Hawkgirl and Hawkman as part of my collection."
"Well, technically it wasn’t mine. It was my siblings and I’s collection. We had Hot Wheels too. We just had a really fun, enjoyable childhood with those. So, this is a full circle moment."
"James Gunn also curated a lot of my favorite childhood movies, like the Scooby Doo movies," the actress continued. "And to work with him and learn from him, he’s just got such a solid team and a solid way of just doing it. He knows. He just knows. And he likes me too, I think, so that’s awesome."
Check out Gunn's post below.
Superman tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.
David Corenswet is playing the Man of Steel, while Rachel Brosnahan has been tapped to star as Lois Lane.
The cast includes Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer.
Supporting characters include Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Christopher MacDonald as Ron Troupe, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
Milly Alcock is also expected to make a cameo appearance as Supergirl before taking flight in her own movie, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
Superman is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.