10 Perfect DCU Recasts For Smallville’s Supergirl

The actor who portrayed Supergirl in Smallville, Laura Vandervoort, has revealed she’d be open for a role in DC Studios’ new DC Universe, and there are several brilliant DC Comics characters who she could bring to life in the rebooted franchise. Laura Vandervoort debuted as Kara Zor-El’s Supergirl in Smallville season 7, episode 2, “Kara,” introduced as Tom Welling’s Clark Kent’s Kryptonian cousin who had been stuck in suspended animation for 18 years. Vandervoort appeared in Smallville until the series’ final season in 2011, but the actor may have just ignited rumors of her return in DC Studios’ upcoming franchise.

In March 2024, Laura Vandervoort was asked whether she would be open to taking a role in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, and she responded with a resounding “YASSSSSSSSSS.” DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn responded to Vandervoort’s comment, noting, “Gotta love Laura,” which has led some to speculate that Vandervoort’s return to DC could be in the cards for the newly-rebooted DCU. House of the Dragon actor Milly Alcock has been cast as the DCU’s new Supergirl, but there are many other fantastic characters from DC Comics, Supergirl-related or not, who Laura Vandervoort would be perfect for.

10
Laura Vandervoort Played Brainiac 8 In DC’s Supergirl Series

Brainiac 8, A.K.A. Indigo, Was Introduced In Supergirl Season 1, Episode 15, “Solitude”

Five years after she last appeared in Smallville, Laura Vandervoort appeared as a new DC Comics character in the first season of then-CBS series Supergirl, which starred Melissa Benoist as the titular Kryptonian hero. In Supergirl, Vandervoort portrayed Brainiac 8, a.k.a. Indigo, a descendant of Brainiac who had been imprisoned in the Phantom Zone. This was a short-lived role that saw Vandervoort play the villainous Indigo in three episodes of Supergirl, but its possible she could revisit the character in the DCU to develop more of Indigo’s heroic DC Comics background, potentially debuting in the DCU’s new Teen Titans project.

9
Power Girl Would Put A Great Spin On Laura Vandervoort’s Previous Superhero Role

Power Girl Is An Alternate Universe Version Of Supergirl

DC Comics’ Power Girl, a.k.a. Kara Zor-L, is a version of Kara Zor-El from an alternate reality, which could put an interesting spin on Laura Vandervoort’s previous Supergirl role from Smallville. After the messy multiverse storylines of the DCEU, it’s possible that DC Studios’ new DC Universe will steer clear of the concept for quite some time, which may make this introduction difficult. However, the multiverse is very important to several iconic DC Comics storylines, which means alternate versions of Supergirl could still debut, providing Vandervoort with the opportunity to portray an older and wiser version of her past superhero.

8
Cat Grant Works Alongside Superman At The Daily Planet

Cat Grant Had A Romance With Clark Kent Before Lois Lane

Cat Grant is a supporting character to both Supergirl and Superman in DC Comics, as she is a journalist working for the Daily Planet. Casting Laura Vandervoort as Cat Grant would allow the actor to fill a minor role in the DCU, but inhabit the more human corners of the franchise, rather than portraying a superhuman hero or villain again. Cat formerly dated Clark Kent prior to his relationship with Lois Lane, which could be an interesting dynamic to explore, as David Corenswet’s Superman and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane will already be in a relationship in 2025’s upcoming Superman reboot.

7
Lex Luthor Created The Matrix, An Unstable Version Of Supergirl

The Matrix Became Lex Luthor’s Bodyguard In DC Comics

Created by Lex Luthor from an alternate pocket reality, the Matrix was a shape-shifting being who took the form of Kara Zor-El’s Supergirl for a while. Indeed, if the Matrix debuts in the DC Universe, it might make more sense for Milly Alcock herself to portray the otherworldly character, but bringing back Laura Vandervoort as this version of Supergirl would also be a brilliant twist. As Supergirl, the Matrix operated as Lex Luthor’s bodyguard in DC Comics’ main continuity, which could be a fun and twisted narrative to explore when Nicholas Hoult debuts as the new Lex Luthor in Superman.

6
Alura In-Ze Is Supergirl’s Mother In DC Comics

Laura Vandervoort Can Continue Her Supergirl Legacy With Alura In-Ze

While Laura Vandervoort won’t be portraying the DCU’s Supergirl, she could be introduced as Kara Zor-El’s mother from Krypton, Alura In-Ze. The DCU’s upcoming Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow movie is expected to explore at least some of Supergirl’s origin story, which would constitute an appearance from the hero’s mother, and this casting would be a brilliant way for Vandervoort to continue her legacy as Supergirl, while perhaps bringing more gravitas and sophistication to her new role. Alura In-Ze’s DCU debut could also help to develop Superman’s own Kryptonian heritage, as she is his paternal aunt by marriage in DC Comics.

5
Vandervoort Could Also Play Supergirl’s Adoptive Mother, Eliza Danvers (Or Edna)

Kara Zor-El’s Adoptive Mother Changed In DC’s Rebirth

If Laura Vandervoort doesn’t appear as Kara Zor-El’s biological mother, perhaps she can debut as her adoptive mother instead, bringing Eliza, or even Edna, Danvers into the DCU. In the Silver Age of DC Comics, Kara Zor-El was taken in by Fred and Edna Danvers, and became Kara Danvers on Earth, but in the revised DC Rebirth timeline, Kara is adopted by Department of Extranormal Operartions agents Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers, and Laura Vandervoort would be brilliant in either of these motherly roles. Eliza would give Vandervoort more action-heavy moments, providing a more substantive role for the former Supergirl actor.

4
Zatanna Almost Debuted In The DCEU

Zatanna Is A Member Of Justice League Dark In DC Comics

Zatanna Zatara has long been rumored to be appearing in live-action, with the character being proposed to appear in several DCEU projects that never came to fruition. Since other members of DC Comics’ Justice League Dark have been teased for the DCU, and Zatanna is a prominent member of this team in DC Comics, it would make sense for the Homo Magi to soon make her live-action theatrical debut, and Laura Vandervoort would be a great match for the character. Zatanna is one of DC’s foremost magic users, so she could have a bright future in the upcoming rebooted DCU.

3
Siobhan Smythe’s Silver Banshee Was Supergirl’s Best Friend In DC Comics

Siobhan Smythe Was Kara Danvers’ Closest Friend In DC Comics’ New 52 Timeline

Introduced in DC Comics’ New 52 timeline, Siobhan Smythe became Kara Danvers’ close friend after she stood up to the National Guard, who were trying to gun Supergirl down. However, an attack from Smythe’s father, the Black Banshee, causes Smythe’s own transformation into the Silver Banshee, with the infliction being passed down the family line. This casting would provide Laura Vandervoort with a complex and layered role in the DC Universe, and would give her a key role in at least one adventure for Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, as Smythe is soon returned back to normal following the Black Banshee’s defeat.

2
Reign Could Debut As A Powerful Kryptonian Villain

The Worldkiller Reign Was Created By Supergirl’s Father

Reign was introduced in DC Comics’ Supergirl (Vol. 6) #5 in 2012 as a Worldkiller, a biological weapon created on Krypton by Zor-El, Supergirl’s own father. Reign and Supergirl came to blows while the former was on Earth attempting to learn more about her origins, but soon departed Earth, though not without leaving Supergirl with a warning. This powerful role would be great for Laura Vandervoort, giving her the opportunity to portray a vulnerable but remarkably powerful villain in the DCU, while still connecting her to her Supergirl roots from Smallville, and expanding on Supergirl’s own family in the DCU.

1
Black Canary Could Be Reinvented For The New DC Universe

There Were Two Different Black Canaries In DC Comics

The Black Canary has been adapted into live-action several times, but it’s possible the superhero could be reinvented once again for the rebooted DC Universe. Prominently associated with the Justice League, the Birds of Prey and the Green Arrow, Laura Vandervoort appearing as the Black Canary, whether it be Dinah “Diana” Drake I or Dinah Laurel Lance, would set her up for a huge future as the powerful, sonic-screaming vigilante. Despite James Gunn’s reaction to her comments, Laura Vandervoort hasn’t yet been confirmed for a role in the DCU, but she would make a wonderful addition to the new franchise.