As the October 10 premiere date of Supergirl‘s second season inches closer, The CW is slowly releasing more details about its transference from CBS. One of the biggest, and most talked about changes is the addition of Tyler Hoechlin, the Teen Wolf actor who’ll don the cape and cowl as Kara Danvers’ (Melissa Benoist) Kryptonian cousin, Superman. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, he let slip what many interpreted as a bit of shade meant for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and its director, Zack Snyder. “It’s Superman as I think he was intended to be… which is just an incredible symbol of hope,” he said. “You don’t have to be dark and brooding.”
Whether or not Hoechlin’s “dark and brooding” comment was meant this way remains to be seen, but considering the critical onslaught endured by the film, it makes sense. What’s more, new information about Lynda Carter’s character — President Olivia Marsdin — reveals themes not unlike those displayed in Batman v Superman and Captain America: Civil War. According to executive producer Andrew Kreisberg, her arc involves accepting (instead of denying) alien visitors like Kara Zor-El:
The former Wonder Woman will help the show tackle immigration issues, as POTUS signs an alien amnesty act. “She very much believes in this cause, which is going to put her in danger, which is going to necessitate Supergirl protecting her,” teases Kreisberg, who’s excited to have Carter on the series. “We can’t believe she said yes.”
If you recall, the main thrust of Batman v Superman entailed the world’s struggle to accept Superman. Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) refused, Senator Finch (Holly Hunter) balked at the prospect, and Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) wanted revenge. As for Civil War, its heroes fought each other while the planet tried to figure out how to control them.
President Marsdin’s intent to grant the likes of Supergirl and Superman amnesty is a far cry from the machinations of both films, especially the former. Sure, as Kreisberg notes in the interview, this will place Carter’s character “in danger,” so it’s not like everyone in the world of Supergirl actually likes the titular heroine’s presence. But at least Supergirl will presumably continue to do what it did throughout its first season and emphasize a much brighter and hopeful story.
(Via Entertainment Weekly)
