James Gunn confirmed that Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl is Kendra Saunders by directly referencing the character's comic debut on X, confirming which version of Hawkgirl audiences are seeing in the DCU.

As excitement continues to build around the new Superman movie, fans have been eager to learn more about several returning heroes who will play a role in the sequel. Hawkgirl, in particular, has generated plenty of discussion due to the character's complicated comic-book history and multiple incarnations across DC lore.

Gunn recently stepped in to clear up some of that confusion, offering a direct reference to the character's comic origins while discussing Hawkgirl's place in the new DC Universe.

In a recent post on X, James Gunn confirmed that the Hawkgirl featured in his DCU is Kendra Saunders, one of the most recognizable versions of the character from the comics, ahead of the new Superman movie, Man of Tomorrow's release on July 9th, 2027.

"Kendra Saunders, AKA Hawkgirl, made her comic debut in JSA SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #1, written by David Goyer and James Robinson, with pencils by Scott Benefiel and inks by Mark Propst," Gunn wrote while highlighting the character's origins.

Hawkgirl's identity has been a frequent topic of discussion among DC fans, largely because several different versions of the character have appeared across comics, animation and live-action adaptations over the years.

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The distinction is significant because Hawkgirl has existed in several forms throughout DC history. By identifying Merced's character as Kendra Saunders, Gunn has given fans a clearer picture of the mythology and backstory that could influence Hawkgirl's future appearances.

Isabela Merced is set to return in Superman 2: Man of Tomorrow after first appearing in Superman and later joining the growing DCU roster through Peacemaker Season 2. Recent training updates shared by the actress have already fueled anticipation for Hawkgirl's expanded role in the sequel.

The character could become even more important moving forward, especially with Aaron Pierre's John Stewart also confirmed to appear in the film. The pairing has drawn attention from longtime DC fans due to the popular romance between Hawkgirl and John Stewart in Justice League Unlimited.

Beyond potential relationships, Hawkgirl's future may also involve exploring deeper aspects of Kendra Saunders' mythology. Comic-book storylines have often tied the character to themes of reincarnation, lost memories and connections to Thanagar, elements that could become increasingly relevant as the DCU continues to grow.

With Gunn steadily building a larger interconnected universe, his clarification about Hawkgirl's identity may be a small detail on the surface. For fans familiar with DC lore, however, it provides an important clue about where the character's story could be heading next, much like the latest glimpse into Gunn's expanding DCU plans has done for other major players in Man of Tomorrow.

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Now that James Gunn has confirmed Kendra Saunders as the DCU's Hawkgirl, what aspect of her comic-book mythology would you most like to see explored in Man of Tomorrow? Let us know in the comments.