Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira just admitted something that completely changed the movie’s most controversial scene. The screenwriter revealed the reason behind the very different fate for the film’s villain.
Supergirl movie writer Ana Nogueira misunderstood Tom King’s comic ending
Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira revealed she misread the ending of Tom King’s comic source material. She told Variety that “the comic ends with Ruthye killing him, but in the far, far future.” However, King clarified in a March 2024 interview on the Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast that Krem survives. He stated the ending “is not supposed to be ambiguous; he’s supposed to be alive at the end.”
In the original comic, Ruthye merely hits an elderly Krem with her cane before walking away. King confirmed that “Ruthye does not forgive him, still f***ing hates him, bops him on the head, and walks away.” Nogueira interpreted this scene as Ruthye killing Krem out of lingering anger. She described the comic’s ending as “quite a dark ending” where “he essentially has changed, and she kills him anyway.”
The film takes a different creative direction from the comic’s resolution entirely. In the movie, Kara stabs Krem in the chest and neck after convincing Ruthye not to kill him. Nogueira explained that they “wanted Kara to really care about preserving Ruthye’s innocence.” She added that Kara “could be the one to bring justice to this man” without “burdening this child.”
Director Craig Gillespie previously revealed that James Gunn was “adamant” about this ending. Gunn even insisted Gillespie film the original scripted ending without alternate versions. The creative team deliberately chose to give Kara a distinct moral compass within the DCU.
Nogueira noted this decision carries forward implications for the franchise. She said Kara now has a moral compass “that is separate from what Superman’s famous moral compass is.” She teased that their “different viewpoints on how you deal with villains” create exciting possibilities for future stories.
Supergirl is now playing in theaters.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.com.
