Unveiling the DCU Hawkgirl Set to Soar in James Gunn's Superman
Hawkgirl is set to debut in James Gunn's upcoming Superman film, and the version he chose has a fascinating history that easily aligns with the theme of Legacy.
Hawkgirl is poised to make her cinematic debut in James Gunn's highly-anticipated Superman film, marking a significant milestone for the character's journey onto the big screen. With Isabela Merced confirmed for the role, excitement mounts as fans eagerly anticipate Gunn's fresh take on this iconic hero within the rebooted cinematic universe. Although Hawkgirl has previously appeared in live-action adaptations such as Smallville and the Arrowverse, Gunn's interpretation promises a new perspective and depth to the character. Merced's portrayal, coupled with Gunn's knack for crafting intricate narratives, hints at a compelling and multi-layered rendition of Hawkgirl.
For comic book enthusiasts, the inclusion of Hawkgirl in Gunn's DC Universe (DCU) sparks curiosity about the complexity that may be infused into her character. While some may have hoped for the return of the beloved Shayera Hol from the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), the DCU Hawkgirl is unequivocally Kendra Saunders.
How do we know DCU Hawkgirl is Kendra Saunders?
There are several compelling pieces of evidence supporting the assertion that Isabela Merced's portrayal in James Gunn's Superman film aligns with the character of Hawkgirl, particularly Kendra Saunders. Firstly, Merced, at 22 years old, bears a striking resemblance to the youthful depiction of Kendra Saunders, who assumed the role of Hawkgirl at the age of 19 in JSA: Secret Files and Origins #1. Her age would later be factored into her complicated relationship with Hawkman (Carter Hall) as the two shared an incredibly obvious & somewhat questionable age gap with Kendra being the recent reincarnation of Carter’s deceased wife, Shiera Hall.. Additionally, Merced's ethnic background mirrors exactly that of comic book Kendra, with a Latina mother and a white American father. This parallel further strengthens the argument for her portrayal as Kendra Saunders.
Isabela Merced even hinted that she was playing the Kendra Saunders version in a Madame Web interview. When asked about Hawkgirl, she said she wasn’t allowed to explicitly say but the hint she gave was “I’m a young girl so maybe pull from that, the fact that I’m young portraying this character.”
Despite these obvious parallels, some remain skeptical. However, additional evidence emerges from Merced's own social media activity. On multiple occasions, she has exclusively posted images of comic book Kendra Saunders, including her casting announcement, which James Gunn subsequently reposted on his Instagram story. This specific cover of Kendra Saunders by Jim Lee was also provided to Vanity Fair by James Gunn himself when the casting was first announced. This deliberate choice by both Merced and Gunn suggests a concerted effort to align Merced's portrayal with the character of Kendra Saunders, reinforcing the notion that she is indeed set to portray that version of Hawkgirl in Gunn's Superman film. But there’s more.
Months before the Hawkgirl casting announcement for Superman, James Gunn answered a DC fan on Twitter, now known as X, who asked “What are your thoughts on Kendra Saunders aka Hawkgirl?”. Gunn replied, “They’re good thoughts.”
People will say this isn’t enough proof & that it could still be Shayera. But Gunn had also already answered a question that alludes to why it’s not. In addressing speculations regarding the identity of the DCU Hawkgirl in James Gunn's Superman film, an important piece of evidence emerges from a response by Gunn on Threads. When queried about whether he had read "Hawkworld" by John Ostrander & Tim Truman, Gunn emphatically replied, "Yes!!" This interaction sheds light on Gunn's approach to drawing from comic book source material for his cinematic adaptations.

Gunn's explicit acknowledgment of consulting the comics for inspiration aligns with his established practice of recommending key comic book readings for his DCU projects, such as Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman for Superman. Notably, Hawkworld (1990) #2 features a pivotal moment where Shayera expresses her preference for the name ‘Hawkwoman’ over ‘Hawkgirl’, denoting her maturity and stature. She explicitly says “I haven’t been a girl for some time. I’m a woman. Hawkwoman.” Keep in mind that this specific issue also takes place when Post-Crisis Shayera arrives on Earth for the first time. The context is that Shayera needs to pick a superhero name for herself so she can commit heroic duties masked but still be known. This means Post-Crisis Shayera never went by Hawkgirl, which is a canon that still holds to modern comics to this day.
Considering Gunn's evident familiarity with this narrative arc and Shayera's explicit rejection of the "Hawkgirl" moniker, it becomes improbable that he would choose to adapt a character under a name she unequivocally disdains. Gunn's response on Threads, therefore, serves as compelling evidence reinforcing the assertion that the DCU Hawkgirl is indeed Kendra Saunders, distinct from the redheaded Shayera Hol.
A bonus fact is that famous Eisner-winning comic writer Tom King, who James Gunn had confirmed was in the writers room for the DCU, had retweeted a thread that explicitly states DCU Hawkgirl is Kendra Saunders.
This revelation offers a fresh angle for audiences to explore as they delve into the intricacies of Kendra Saunders' journey as Hawkgirl within Gunn's cinematic universe. While Kendra had previously been adapted in the Arrowverse, played by Ciara Renee, her character sadly wasn’t able to live up to her utmost potential given what was going on behind the scenes, leading to Ciara’s eventual departure. The DCU offers a second chance for Kendra’s character to receive the justice she finally deserves, possibly even leading up to her becoming the definitive Hawkgirl for the current generation.
The Origin of Kendra Saunders
Now that we've confirmed the identity of the Hawkgirl set to appear in Superman, the next question arises: who is Kendra Saunders, and how does she differentiate from Shayera, beyond their names? Unlike Shayera Hol, Kendra's origins diverge significantly. While Shayera originates from the planet Thanagar and often operates as a member of the Thanagarian police force, Kendra's backstory is tied to Earth. And it isn’t a happy one. Before proceeding, it’s important to say that Kendra’s backstory is highly triggering. There’ll be mentions of suicide, pedophilia, sexual assault, and more so proceed with caution.
Kendra Saunders is the granddaughter of Speed Saunders, an OSS agent renowned for his exploits. While there is some mention of Speed having a connection to Shiera Sanders Hall, the Golden Age Hawkgirl and wife of Golden Age Hawkman (Carter Hall), the nature of this relationship is somewhat convoluted and arguably unnecessary. It's worth noting that Shiera is Speed's adoptive first cousin, but their connection holds little relevance to Kendra's storyline, particularly since Kendra and Shiera never crossed paths before Shiera's passing. Kendra only discovered her connection to Shiera after learning about her being Shiera’s reincarnation, making any familial ties between them largely inconsequential. Thus, it's best to disregard this aspect of their relationship for clarity's sake.
When Kendra was 13 years old, she and her Latina mother, Trina Saunders, were on their usual Saturday hike. Trina, a renowned artist who enjoyed capturing nature's beauty, often took Kendra along to share in her passion. On this particular day, while they were in Austin, Texas, their leisurely outing took a terrifying turn. Two police officers approached them and offered a ride, but Kendra's instincts told her something was amiss. Despite Trina's polite decline, Kendra's unease intensified when one of the officers brandished a gun, confirming her suspicions. After the officers handcuffed them, Kendra's mother gave herself up hoping they wouldn't touch Kendra. But the officers had a different plan as after the deal was made, the officer told Kendra it would be her turn soon enough. Realizing the cops were going to hurt her and her mother, Kendra fought back. Kendra grabbed one of the officer’s guns, but this tussle resulted in the gun being pulled on the officer’s partner in crime, ultimately killing him. Realizing what happened, the cop Kendra fought fled the scene. Seeing how distraught Kendra was, Trina told her to forget what happened. And Kendra did.




Three years later, Kendra’s parents were found dead in a hotel while on 'vacation' in St. Roch, Louisiana, the hometown of Hawkman (Carter Hall). The experience was so traumatizing for Kendra that she spiraled into a dark period of her life. At the age of 16, she got into trouble with the police, becoming more rebellious. As a result, she was transferred to youth facilities and found herself alone on the streets. During high school, she met a guy, which later resulted in the birth of her daughter, Mia Saunders. However, Kendra decided to give Mia up for adoption as she didn’t believe she was fit to take care of her & Mia’s father had ditched her. The loss of her parents left Kendra suicidal, and she still bears the scars from previous attempts, which are constantly addressed in JSA (1999) as she would hide her scars through her bandages.


When Kendra turned 17, her downward spiral worsened. Her grandfather, Speed, a former detective, was actively investigating the murder of Kendra's parents in St. Roch. However, upon realizing the extent of Kendra's troubles, he decided to take her under his wing. Unfortunately, even after he made his decision, he discovered Kendra unconscious in the bathroom. It was revealed that Kendra had attempted suicide by overdosing on pills that were supposed to be her medication. She was promptly rushed to the hospital, where doctors attempted to resuscitate her. At 9:13 P.M. that night, Kendra was pronounced deceased. However, miraculously, exactly ten minutes later, she began breathing again. Initially relieved, Speed's relief turned to concern when he noticed a significant change in Kendra. Kendra, who originally had green eyes inherited from her father, now possessed brown eyes—Shiera’s eye color. He said so himself that it felt like he was looking into Shiera’s eyes. Given how Shiera was supposed to be dead years before Kendra’s suicide attempt, Speed put two and two together and realized that Kendra had always been a reincarnation of Shiera (this is expanded on in Hawkgirl (2023) #5) and that it was Shiera who revived Kendra. Realizing that Kendra now had a purpose, Speed took it upon himself to train Kendra to be the next Hawkgirl for the next two years and when she was ready, he would leave her with the JSA (Justice Society of America) aka the same team that the Golden Age Hawkman & Hawkgirl led.
In Hawkman (1993) #13, we see Shiera Hall met her demise during the Zero Hour event. This occurred as a result of her merging with Carter Hall and Katar Hol. Following this event, Katar Hol experienced severe mental instability as a result of the merge, which even affected her relationship with Hawkwoman aka Shayera Thal. Martian Manhunter aka J'onn J'onzz attempted to intervene and save him, but Katar's soul and body were ultimately consigned to limbo for several years at the end of Hawkman (1993). It wasn’t until JSA (1999) that this would be relevant again to the hawklore.



Kendra had no idea she had died from her suicide attempt, as Speed didn’t want to traumatize her with the truth. Confusion clouded Kendra's mind regarding her state, compounded by vivid dreams that seemed to depict her past lives, including those of Prince Khufu of Ancient Egypt. Kendra has no proper memories of her past lives outside of her dreams. However, she struggled to make sense of these experiences. When the truth about Shiera and her actual death was revealed, Kendra broke down. She vehemently rejected discussions about the reincarnation cycle and soulmates, yearning to simply be herself. Witnessing Kendra's emotional turmoil, the JSA attempted to offer comfort, but she resisted their efforts.









During a confrontation with Black Adam, Kendra found herself inexplicably teleported to Thanagar. There, she was brought before priests from the downside (the poor) of Thanagar, who implored her assistance in reviving Carter Hall, also known as Hawkman. They explained that only her connection to him could bring him back from limbo, a truth that ultimately proved accurate. Hawkman returned after years, but there was a slight issue with Carter Hall. He wasn’t mentally well after his revival and seemed unaware of Shiera's demise. This created an awkward situation for Kendra, as Carter would occasionally refer to her as 'Shiera,' claiming he could feel her soul.





During the battle with Onimar Synn, the tyrant ruler of Thanagar, Kendra and Carter share a kiss as the Nth metal reaches its peak power, amplified by the connection between the hawks. Following the explosion, Carter affectionately refers to Kendra as ‘my love,’ but Kendra hesitates. She admits to finding Carter attractive but explains that she's not ready to pursue a relationship, especially given the recent revelations about her identity. She expresses the need for time to process everything. Carter understands her stance, although he nearly slips up and calls her Shiera again.





In Geoff Johns' Hawkman (2002), the complex relationship between Kendra and Carter resurfaces when a 20-year-old Kendra seeks Carter's assistance in uncovering the truth behind her parents' murder. She discovers a telegram in the attic of her parent’s house from an employee of Carter’s museum named Danny Evans, also the son of an old friend of Carter, sent just days before her parents were murdered. Initially resistant to Carter's involvement, Kendra eventually relents after her grandfather, Speed, insists that Carter stay in St. Roch to watch over her. Despite Kendra's initial objections, Carter agrees to mentor her and work together as partners, with no romantic intentions.
When Kendra and Carter follow Danny’s trail to India, they are met with a shocking revelation: Danny confesses that he never sent Kendra’s parents a telegram. Kendra is overcome with despair as she realizes she has hit another dead end in her quest to uncover the truth behind her parents' mysterious visit.
Later, Kendra secures a job at the Stonechat Museum, originally owned by Carter and Shiera. There, they collaborate with the current police chief, Nedal, who eagerly assists them in their investigation. Officer Isabelle, who works with Nedal, notices his particular interest in helping Hawkgirl but doesn’t give it much thought. He simply advises him to be cautious not to become emotionally entangled with Hawkgirl.
As the investigation progresses, the police trace the telegram back to a metahuman named Warwhip, also known as David DeVille. Kendra takes matters into her own hands, stealing the address and confronting DeVille. However, the confrontation takes a dangerous turn when DeVille attempts to choke Kendra to death, forcing Nedal to intervene and fatally shoot DeVille. Tragically, Deville falls to his death, leaving Kendra once again devastated by another dead end.





A few issues later, Kendra finds herself arrested by the D.E.O. for the murder of Officer Darryl Jones, as her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. This incident references a past trauma where Kendra was nearly assaulted by two cops when she was a child. Despite the mounting accusations, Kendra chooses to remain silent, intending to explain everything to Carter later. However, her decision backfires when she realizes that the car she is in is not heading towards the police station and instead sees Chief Nedal at the wheel.




Kendra is both thrilled and confused, believing that Nedal is here to save her; however, it is revealed that Chief Nedal was the other cop who fled the scene after a 13-year-old Kendra forced him to shoot his partner. The Texan cop changed his name, relocated to St. Roch, and worked his way up to become the chief of the police department. He was also the one who killed Kendra's parents. Kendra's mother never alerted law enforcement that she and her daughter were nearly raped by two cops, but she did tell Kendra's father. Kendra's parents pursued Nedal to St. Roch, where he murdered them to conceal the truth about himself. An angry Kendra hurls herself at Nedal, resulting in a car crash.







After Carter finds Kendra, they have a long physical fight about whether Kendra should kill Nedal or not. In the end, Nedal is later killed by Gentleman Ghost in Hawkman (2002) #14, finally ending the arc to Kendra’s origin.



How Can Kendra fit into The DCU?
With James Gunn’s Superman film originally titled ‘Legacy,’ audiences can already anticipate a thematic focus on lineage and heritage in the DCU Hawkgirl's portrayal. Interestingly, Kendra and Clark have previously crossed paths in both of her Hawkgirl solo runs, with the modern comic version of Kendra currently residing in Metropolis. However, adapting modern comic Kendra presents challenges due to her extensive history with Carter's Hawkman. For an adaptation of Kendra to resonate, it's crucial to acknowledge her complex relationship with Carter Hall, as he serves as the primary link to her Hawkgirl legacy, given that she has no memories of her past lives in the beginning. Additionally, recognizing Kendra as a reincarnation of Carter’s deceased wife, Shiera, adds a deeply personal dimension to her connection with the Hawkgirl mantle, and it also adds layers to her complicated relationship with Carter. Whether people like it or not, Hawkman is important to Kendra’s character development.


Speaking of Hawkman, there have been discussions regarding Aldis Hodge's suitability for the role of DCU Hawkman, with some arguing that he may be too old for the part. However, in the comics, Carter is notably older than Kendra, which aligns with the nature of the hawk cycle. Kendra is a reincarnation of Carter’s recently deceased wife, Shiera, and according to the cycle, individuals are reborn as babies after death. Therefore, casting a significantly younger actor for Hawkman wouldn't align with the established dynamics between the characters. Furthermore, the age gap between Carter and Kendra is a significant aspect of their relationship, with Carter often being portrayed as overprotective towards Kendra due to their shared history and the tragic curse of the hawks, where their love often leads to their demise (which *spoiler alert* proves to be true but that’s not relevant here). To emphasize the age gap, Carter is a history professor at St. Roch University & Kendra attends there as a film student, even hinting that it was Carter himself who paid for Kendra’s college tuition. Carter also serves as Kendra’s mentor because while Speed Saunders did train Kendra, Speed doesn’t have the actual experiences of the hawks. He doesn’t know the reincarnation cycle, the knowledge on Nth Metal, etc. Only Carter can be that source for a Kendra who doesn’t remember her past lives, which even Speed agrees with. It’s exactly why Speed asked Carter to look over Kendra.

Now I never said DCU Carter & Kendra have to be the romantic endgame. There are complicated romantic feelings between them, yes, but the way comics did it wouldn’t exactly make sense for the DCU unless James Gunn ever plans on adapting Zero Hour. Considering the Nth Metals keeps the hawks young, which is also brought up in Ostrander’s Hawkworld, it makes more sense for DCU Hawkman to have been alive for decades without the need for the Return of Hawkman arc for Kendra.
In my view, the DCU should explore a different approach, with Carter initially unaware of Kendra’s existence until Speed approaches him. Speed would then explain that Kendra is the reincarnation of Shiera and implore Carter to protect her. Rather than pursuing a romantic relationship with Kendra, Carter should agree to mentor her while harboring doubts due to his lingering grief for his deceased wife. This would create a closer bond between Kendra and the Hawkgirl mantle, as she strives to prove herself to Carter. Such a change would be significant, especially considering that comic Kendra expressed reluctance about becoming a hero during her breakdown with the JSA.
Furthermore, this approach would align with Carter's character, as depicted in Ostrander’s Hawkworld, where he is skeptical of legacy characters taking up hawk-related mantles, similar to his stance on Katar Hol’s Hawkman. This scenario would result in a complex relationship dynamic that would deeply positively impact both characters, also informing the audience about what the Hawkman & Hawkgirl dynamic is actually like.
Acknowledging Kendra's traumatic past, which includes struggles with mental health and suicide attempts, is essential for any adaptation. Not only does addressing these issues add depth to Kendra's character, but it also enhances her relatability to modern audiences. The inclusion of Kendra’s daughter, Mia Saunders, would also offers a unique perspective rarely explored in comic book adaptations, as we’ve never seen the topic of teen moms properly brought up. Incorporating these elements into Kendra’s portrayal in the DCU would enrich her character and significantly enhance her story's compelling nature for audiences. Not saying this is what I expect to see in Superman, but slight mentions and these aspects contributing to her overall arc would have a major impact. This would also help differentiate Kendra from the redheaded alien, Shayera Hol, to the general public.
Controversial as it may be, Kendra’s starting team in the DCU should be the Justice Society of America (JSA) rather than the Justice League. It wouldn't align with the source material for Kendra to begin her superhero journey with the Justice League, as the JSA holds more significance to her character's legacy. In the context of the upcoming Superman film, which will feature Mister Terrific (Michael Holt), another prominent JSA member who will be played by Edi Gathegi, it makes even more sense for Kendra's initial team affiliation to be with the JSA. Their shared history and interactions in the comics, especially in JSA (1999), form a strong foundation for their bond to grow within the JSA framework. Furthermore, given Speed Saunders' close association with the JSA, it's understandable that he would prefer Kendra to start her superhero journey with that team. Placing Kendra in the Justice League for cinematic purposes would not only deviate from the established lore but also overlook the rich legacy and history of the JSA, which holds significant importance for both Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific. In the end, by honoring the source material and letting Kendra's story progress within the JSA framework, a more authentic and meaningful representation of her character's journey can be achieved.
In conclusion, the introduction of DCU Hawkgirl in James Gunn's upcoming Superman film marks an exciting new chapter in the cinematic universe. With Isabela Merced set to portray the iconic character, fans eagerly anticipate a fresh take on Hawkgirl's rich legacy and complex relationships. From her ties to Carter Hall and the exploration of her traumatic backstory to her potential involvement with the Justice Society of America, there are numerous avenues for storytelling and character development. As the DCU continues to expand, the inclusion of Hawkgirl promises to add depth, diversity, and intrigue to this ever-evolving superhero landscape. With James Gunn at the helm and a talented cast on board, the future looks bright for the DCU, and audiences can't wait to soar alongside Hawkgirl on the big screen.