James Gunn Explains How Krypto’s Supergirl Return Is Totally different From His Superman Look

The DCU’s misbehaved superdog sidekick is formally returning in Supergirl when it hits theaters in June 2026, however Krypto’s position will tackle a special focus and that means than when he aggravated Superman‘s Clark Kent this previous summer time.

Within the first teaser trailer for 2026’s Supergirl film, Krypto returns alongside Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El, who made a drunken cameo on the very finish of Superman to select her canine up from her cousin who had been watching him. Within the new trailer, the superpowered pup joins Kara as she celebrates her twenty third birthday, although we additionally get a glimpse of Kara being delivered to tears as Krypto seems in a dire state in Supergirl.

At CCXP 25 in Brazil on December 7, I attended DC Studios’ Supergirl International Digital Teaser Trailer Launch on behalf of ScreenRant, with the occasion together with a Q&A with star Milly Alcock and director Craig Gillespie moderated by Gunn. After exhibiting the trailer, Gunn addressed a query about whether or not Krypto would lastly be a “good canine” in Supergirl, following his “unhealthy” conduct in Superman:

“He isn’t a superb canine, he is a horrible canine. He continues to be a horrible canine. The distinction is Kara loves him, whereas he will get on Clark’s nerves.”

Although Krypto helped save Clark and proved a worthy sidekick, David Corenswet’s Superman regularly famous Krypto’s behavioral points within the 2025 movie. Krypto was an lively pup who struggled to hear, would get a bit too rambunctious, and would distract Clark from his missions at hand, changing into each a hindrance and an asset. Clark clearly had affection for Krypto, however hoped to see adjustments in his conduct.

Nevertheless, Kara’s notion of Krypto is totally totally different, and due to this fact so is his dynamic and sympathetic place in her film. Supergirl shows Krypto in a special mild because of the rather more loving relationship he has with Kara. He is nonetheless the identical canine as he was in Superman, however the best way audiences understand his position within the story when following Kara’s point-of-view is a stark distinction to when Clark’s perspective is in focus.

To Kara, Krypto might by no means really be annoying or “unhealthy,” and she or he’d by no means need to change him. With Kara clearly holding onto some resentment towards Clark, Krypto has successfully been the one household Supergirl has had that mutually loves her unconditionally and can at all times be there for her – it doesn’t matter what. Clark has Ma and Pa Kent, whereas Kara has Krypto.

In Superman, when Clark will get pissed off with Krypto inflicting mayhem or attempting to play throughout catastrophic conditions, as lovable as he’s, the viewers is meant to really feel a few of that frustration as properly. In distinction, Kara’s fierce love for Krypto means audiences will equally be extra forgiving of the canine’s conduct. He may objectively be a “unhealthy canine,” per James Gunn, however we’ll be viewing Krypto extra with rose-colored glasses in Supergirl since he is Kara’s greatest buddy and household.