A stunning new still of Hawkgirl, portrayed by Isabela Merced, has emerged from James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman movie, set to premiere on July 11, 2025. The image, which surfaced recently on social media platforms like X, showcases Merced’s Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl in her full superhero glory, giving fans a tantalizing glimpse of what to expect from the DC Universe’s (DCU) inaugural film. With the movie just months away, this new look at Hawkgirl has reignited excitement for the reboot, which promises to blend classic heroism with a fresh multiversal twist.

Hawkgirl Takes Flight in a Groundbreaking Role

The new still captures Hawkgirl mid-flight, her iconic wings spread wide as she grips her signature mace, ready for battle. The costume, a departure from her traditional comic book design, features a sleek, modern aesthetic with a predominantly black and white color scheme accented by subtle gold tones. Unlike the green and yellow cropped top and pants seen in her 2023 comic run, this cinematic version emphasizes a tactical, armored look, complete with a practical golden helmet adorned with wings—a nod to her Thanagarian heritage. Fans on X have noted the absence of nanotechnology in her helmet, with set photos confirming a physical prop, aligning with Gunn’s preference for practical effects as seen in projects like Peacemaker.

Isabela Merced, known for roles in Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Alien: Romulus, steps into the DCU as Kendra Saunders, a modern iteration of Hawkgirl. In the comics, Saunders is a young woman who becomes possessed by the spirit of Shiera Hall after a tragic event, reluctantly embracing her destiny as a winged warrior. Merced’s casting was announced in July 2023 by Gunn himself on X, alongside Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific. Since then, Merced has expressed her enthusiasm for the role, telling Collider that she’d be “honored” for fans to call her “Hawkgirl” on the street, likening it to her experience as Dora. She also shared a nostalgic connection to the character, noting that she and her siblings collected Hawkgirl and Hawkman action figures during childhood, making this a “full circle moment” for her.

Behind the Scenes: Merced’s Journey as Hawkgirl

Merced has been vocal about the physical demands of the role. In an Entertainment Weekly interview, she described the challenges of wearing the supersuit, which, while “badass,” was far from comfortable. “The tightness and the way you had to make everything look cool, but also aggressive, but also smooth… all while wearing a harness,” she explained, recalling hot summer days filming in Cleveland. Despite the discomfort, Merced highlighted the camaraderie on set, with the cast using fans to keep each other cool during intense stunt sequences. She also teased that “every scene I’m flying,” suggesting Hawkgirl will be heavily involved in the film’s action-packed moments, likely utilizing drone technology for practical flying effects, as Gunn has done for Superman’s scenes.

Interestingly, Merced kept her prior superhero experience under wraps during the casting process. Having played Anya Corazón in Sony’s Madame Web (2024), she admitted to Comicbook.com that she didn’t disclose this to DC, unsure if she could juggle both Marvel and DC roles. Her stunt experience from Madame Web ultimately prepared her for Hawkgirl’s physicality, though she humorously recounted getting “in trouble” for accidentally posting the Superman “S” logo on Instagram during a table read—an innocent mistake that underscores the secrecy surrounding the project.

Hawkgirl’s Place in the Superman Narrative

Superman follows Clark Kent (David Corenswet) as he reconciles his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing, embodying truth, justice, and kindness in a cynical world. The film introduces a roster of DC heroes, including Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), alongside Superman’s archnemesis Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). While Hawkgirl’s exact role remains under wraps, her appearance in the first trailer—flying into battle with her mace—suggests she’ll be part of the film’s high-stakes action. Gunn has confirmed on Threads that her wings are organic, paying homage to her extraterrestrial origins as a Thanagarian warrior, a detail that thrilled fans familiar with her depiction in the DC Animated Universe.

Speculation abounds about Hawkgirl’s narrative arc. Some fans on X theorize she might be part of a proto-Justice Society, given the presence of other heroes like Mister Terrific. Others wonder if her connection to Hawkman, her eternal soulmate in the comics, will be explored, though no casting for Hawkman has been announced. Merced herself admitted to ScreenRant that she hasn’t seen the final film, remaining “just as clueless” as fans about the full scope of her role, but she emphasized how much fun she had filming, hinting at a lighthearted tone for the movie compared to the darker DCEU entries.

Fan Reactions and What’s Next

The new still has sparked a flurry of reactions online. Fans on X have praised the costume’s practical design, with one user noting, “Set photos show her wearing the helmet physically, so I find it unlikely it’s a nanotech helmet—not very Thanagarian, nor is it very aesthetically pleasing.” Others have expressed excitement over Merced’s casting, with posts like, “Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl in the Upcoming James Gunn Directed Superman movie in theaters July 11th,” accompanied by shared images of the still. However, some fans have reservations about the costume’s divergence from the comics, particularly the lack of green and gold, and Merced’s youthful appearance compared to traditional depictions of Hawkgirl.

As Superman approaches its July 11 release, anticipation continues to build. Gunn has promised that Corenswet’s performance will “blow people the f— away,” and with a cast this stacked, the film is poised to redefine the DCU. For Merced, playing Hawkgirl is a dream come true, and her enthusiasm—coupled with this striking new still—ensures that Hawkgirl will soar into fans’ hearts when the movie finally takes flight.