Actress Isabela Merced is thrilled to announce that she will be taking on the role of Hawkgirl in the highly anticipated film Superman: Legacy. However, this news holds an even greater significance for Merced.
Merced Celebrates Birthday with Hawkgirl Role
Coincidentally, Merced received the news of her casting on her birthday. She took to Instagram to express her excitement, sharing a picture of Hawkgirl and thanking DC Studios co-CEO and Superman: Legacy director James Gunn for the best birthday gift ever.
Alongside Merced, two other actors have been confirmed for the Superman: Legacy cast. Nathan Fillion will portray Green Lantern Guy Gardner, while Edi Gathegi will take on the role of Mister Terrific (Michael Holt version). It remains uncertain which version of Hawkgirl Merced will be portraying.
The history of Hawkgirl in DC Comics is quite complex, with multiple heroines assuming the mantle. The original was Shiera Sanders, an Egyptian queen reincarnated in the modern era. The second Hawkgirl, Shayera Hol, came from the planet Thanagar. However, the most likely candidate for Merced’s portrayal is Kendra Saunders, a troubled young woman who took her own life and was inhabited by the soul of Chay-Ara, retaining her spirit and memories.
Given the complicated backstory and dark nature of Kendra’s character, it is unlikely that Superman: Legacy will delve deeply into her story. It is also unclear how much of Kendra’s original backstory remains canon in the modern DC Universe. Director James Gunn may introduce a new iteration of Hawkgirl, combining aspects of Kendra’s appearance with the background of Shayera Hol. Regardless, Isabela Merced is ecstatic to take on the role of Hawkgirl in this upcoming film.
