Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for James Gunn’s Superman
In James Gunn’s Superman, Hawkgirl gets one of the movie’s most surprising scenes. Played by Isabela Merced, Kendra Saunders’ Hawkgirl is a classic DC Comics hero who has debuted in the new DCU alongside two other metahumans protecting Metropolis. However, the movie’s final act sees Hawkgirl making a surprising decision that has made some waves online.
In Superman, Hawkgirl is a member of the Justice Gang. Joined by Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern and Mister Terrific, the Justice Gang has often allied with Superman from time to time, including during the movie’s battle with a giant kaiju unleashed by Lex Luthor. However, the end of James Gunn’s Superman sees Hawkgirl helping Superman protect the nation of Jarhanpur, resulting in a fairly eyebrow-raising scene.
In James Gunn’s Superman, Hawkgirl Kills The President of Boravia
“I’m Not Superman”
In Superman, Mister Terrific agrees to help Lois Lane find and rescue Clark from Lex Luthor’s pocket dimension. However, Hawkgirl and Green Lantern initially don’t want to get involved with Luthor and his secret dealings with the nation of Boravia. However, Kendra and Guy eventually decide to get involved with help from Rex Mason’s Metamorpho, stopping the Boravian military’s invasion and genocide of Jarhanpur at Superman’s request.
In the movie’s third act, Superman and Mister Terrific stay in Metropolis to take down Luthor and his superpowered enforcers. Meanwhile, Guy and Rex take out multiple soldiers, jeeps, and tanks before they can harm the people of Jarhanpur. However, Hawkgirl is shown targeting the Boravian president himself, Vasil Ghurkos.
Flying Ghurkos out a window and into the open air, the Boravian dictator claims Hawkgirl won’t kill him, ᴀssuming she’s “weak” like Superman. Surprisingly, Hawkgirl does drop Ghurkos to his death after explicitly telling him: “I’m not Superman“. This has since fueled some interesting debate online about whether Kendra was right in killing Ghurkos, and I happen to think James Gunn’s Superman made the right call.
Why Hawkgirl Killing Works And Makes Sense
Highlighting The DCU’s Range of Heroes
Hawkgirl killing Ghurkos feels like the right decision. Not only does it fit with Hawkgirl’s character in the comics as a fierce warrior, but it also highlights the DCU’s wide range of heroes (including their varying moral codes). As inspiring as they are, not every hero will choose to have Superman’s high standards and his desire to protect all life if he can help it, be they squirrels, kaijus, or anyone between.
“I still would have liked to have seen the political ramifications of Hawkgirl’s actions…”
Likewise, Ghurkos was confirmed to be a brutal dictator seeking to bring about the genocide of an entire rival nation of men, women, and children. He’s certainly a villain worthy of being terminated if there ever was one.
That said, I still would have liked to have seen the political ramifications of Hawkgirl’s actions and bold decision all the same, especially after Superman was criticized for much less. However, I suspect it may get covered in Peacemaker season 2. After all, the trailers have confirmed Kendra’s involvement, as well as Frank Grillo’s General Rick Flag Sr., who was shown questioning the roles of metahumans in geopolitical affairs by the movie’s end.
James Gunn’s Superman is now playing in theaters from DC Studios.
