DC’s Cosmic Expansion
Released into theaters just two days ago on June 26, 2026, DC Studios’ Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has introduced audiences to a gritty, visually spectacular journey across the cosmos. Directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, the film departs from traditional Earth-bound superhero narratives to explore distant, war-torn galaxies. To authentically capture the vast and otherworldly planets described in the original comic series by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, the production bypassed heavy reliance on computer-generated imagery in favor of tangible, awe-inspiring global locations. The international shoot utilized the advanced facilities of Warner Bros. Studios in England alongside the dramatic natural landscapes of Scotland and Iceland.
Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden: The Extraterrestrial Hub
The creative backbone of the production was rooted at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, England. Filming here between January and May of 2025 allowed the crew to seamlessly blend practical set design with advanced virtual production technology. One of the studio’s most significant achievements was the construction of Evely, a war-ravaged town on the planet Bilquis. Rather than a sleek sci-fi utopia, the Leavesden sets featured crumbling buildings, burned-out vehicles, and scattered rubble, giving the actors a highly detailed, grounded environment to match the film’s darker thematic tone.
Scotland: Rugged Valleys and Rocky Mountains
When the narrative demanded expansive outdoor vistas, the production team traveled to Scotland. The Scottish Highlands provided the wide valleys and imposing rocky mountains necessary to depict remote, untamed alien worlds. Scotland’s naturally moody atmospheric conditions and untouched rugged terrains offered an ideal stand-in for extraterrestrial frontiers, allowing the cinematography to capture a sense of isolation and scale that soundstages simply cannot replicate.
Iceland: Volcanic Vistas and Glacial Zones
For the film’s most extreme and visually striking cosmic surfaces, the crew journeyed to Iceland. The Nordic island nation is renowned for its unique geology, and Supergirl took full advantage of its black-sand deserts, sprawling glacial zones, and striking volcanic terrain. These raw, elemental landscapes were utilized to represent the harshest alien environments Kara Zor-El traverses during the final stretch of her cosmic adventure. The stark contrast between the icy glaciers and dark volcanic rock naturally evokes an otherworldly atmosphere, eliminating the need for excessive digital alteration.
The Set-Jetting Forecast: Anticipating a Tourism Boom
With Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow currently dominating the global box office this summer, international travel experts are forecasting a substantial surge in “set-jetting”—the trend of traveling to destinations featured in major films. Both Scotland and Iceland are perfectly positioned to benefit from this economic boost.
Historically, the influence of film on travel has generated massive revenue for these regions. According to recent data from the Icelandic Tourist Board, approximately 50 percent of overseas visitors cite television programs and films as a direct influence on their decision to travel there. The impact can be immediate and staggering; following the broadcast of previous high-profile streaming series featuring Icelandic waterfalls, online searches for specific local natural sites surged by up to 5,000 percent. As audiences witness the striking black-sand deserts in Supergirl, local tour operators in Iceland are already preparing for a sharp influx of fans.
Scotland anticipates a similar wave of international arrivals. VisitScotland research consistently shows that one in five visitors to the country are inspired by film, television, or literature. Scotland’s heritage sites and historic valleys have previously recorded year-over-year visitor increases of nearly 40 percent due to screen tourism from legendary franchises. Given the highly anticipated nature of the new DC Universe slate, the Scottish Highlands will likely see thousands of fans eager to explore the earthly locations that doubled as distant planets.
Looking to the future, this predicted tourism boom brings both economic opportunity and environmental responsibility. As travelers increasingly seek out these specific wide valleys and glacial zones, tourism boards in both Iceland and Scotland are expected to implement stricter conservation policies. Managing the foot traffic of dedicated movie fans will be essential to ensuring that the very landscapes that inspired the cosmic worlds of Supergirl remain pristine for future generations of travelers and filmmakers alike.
