Why Supergirl Was Not in Man of Steel: Exploring Timeline and Narrative Choice

Supergirl, or Kara Zor-El, has a rich and storied history in the DC Comics universe, yet her role in recent cinematic adaptations remains profound and somewhat enigmatic. The 2013 film, Man of Steel, does not feature Supergirl, which has engendered curiosity among fans and critics alike. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind her absence and why she is not prominently featured in the narrative presented in Man of Steel.

Timeline Differences and Story Focus

In the world of Star Wars and Star Trek, time travel and cosmic dimension jumping are common plot devices. Similarly, in the multiverse of DC Comics, the arrival of Supergirl on Earth can vary depending on the specific continuity and timeline. In most interpretations, Supergirl is depicted as arriving much later than Kal-El (Superman), often due to her traveling in a Kryptonian scout ship that was delayed by various circumstances.

Timeline Differences: Kara Zor-El’s Kryptonian scout ship was delayed, meaning she did not arrive on Earth as a teenager or young adult, as she was sometimes portrayed in earlier adaptations. This delay explains her absence in the events of Man of Steel. Her ship might have entered a stasis-like situation or been diverted to The Phantom Zone, which further delayed her arrival on Earth. This timing differs from the arrival of Kal-El, where he crash-landed in Smallville, Kansas, as an infant. It is noteworthy that in the movie, Kal-El (Kal-El is the English rendering of his Kryptonian name, Kal-El) arrived much earlier and proceeded to age to adolescence and adulthood before the primary narrative's events took place.

Focus on Kal-El's Narrative

Man of Steel centers on Kal-El's journey from a newborn to adulthood, and his eventual struggle against General Zod. The film focuses on the emotional and psychological growth of Kal-El, as well as his development of his superpowers. Including Supergirl in the film would have added another layer of complexity and would have required extra screen time to detail her experiences, which could have detracted from the core narrative of Kal-El's maturation and his confrontation with Zod.

Focus on Superman: Given that the primary character arc in Man of Steel is focused on Kal-El's journey from a Kal-El infant to Superman, the inclusion of Kara Zor-El would have necessitated more extensive narration and backstory that could have disrupted the flow of the film. Furthermore, the narrative would have had to juggle the timelines and experiences of two superheroes who arrived decades apart. This would have made the storyline more sprawling and potentially less engaging for audiences.

Alternate Continuities

The DC Universe is known for its frequent reboots and reimaginings, which can result in differing depictions of characters like Supergirl. In the specific continuity chosen for Man of Steel, the absence of Supergirl can be attributed to the filmmakers' decision to create a more singular and streamlined story.

Alternate Continuities: The continuity for Man of Steel was crafted with a specific focus on Kal-El's story, aligning with the conventions of the Superman film series, which do not incorporate Supergirl until after Kal-El's adult life. This choice was not without precedent, as the original Superman films from the 1970s and Batman and Superman (1980s) also focused on sole protagonists without including Kara Zor-El.

In Comics and Other Media

In various comic book storylines, Kara Zor-El’s experiences are quite different from those of her cousin, Kal-El. In these stories, Kara often grapples with issues of identity, loss, and her relationship with Superman. For instance, in the Supergirl comics, Kara deals with the loss of her home planet and the challenges of integrating into a new world while maintaining a dual hero identity alongside Superman.

Supergirl in Comics: Kara Zor-El's arrival on Earth is a critical event in her own storyline, marked by her initial struggles to adapt to human life, her discovery of her powers, and her search for her identity. Her arrival is often depicted as a pivotal point in her development as a character, which aligns with the natural progression of Kal-El's narrative in Man of Steel.

Conclusion

Supergirl's absence in Man of Steel can be attributed to the film's focus on Kal-El's journey and the specific narrative choices made in the adaptation. While Supergirl has a rich and complex background in the comics, the decision to not include her in Man of Steel was a creative choice that kept the story focused and streamlined. However, her role in the broader DC Universe remains significant and her storyline continues to evolve in other media.