Bold claim: a major DC villain’s legal trouble could cast a shadow on a high-profile superhero movie before it even hits theaters. Matthias Schoenaerts, best known for The Old Guard, is set to portray Krem of the Yellow Hills — the villain in the forthcoming Supergirl film. But new reports out of Belgium reveal the actor has been sentenced to six months in prison, complicating his promotional plans for next summer.
Background: In September, word spread that Schoenaerts would headline as the antagonist opposite Milly Alcock in Supergirl. The character Krem of the Yellow Hills hails from Tom King and Bill Ques Evely’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, where Krem is the devastating foe who destroys the father of a young alien girl, who then seeks aid from the Maiden of Might for her revenge mission.
Current developments: Belgian outlets report that police stopped Schoenaerts for riding his motorcycle in Pelt, Limburg, in April 2024 without a valid license. He had previously had a driving ban in Antwerp (September 2021) after testing positive for drug impairment, and he did not complete the required recovery tests and driver’s exams. The latest ruling in absentia imposes six months of imprisonment, a €4,000 fine, and a one-year driving ban. The report notes that the actor can still appeal, so immediate imprisonment is not guaranteed. Separately, Schoenaerts faced another arrest last week for allegedly refusing a breathalyzer test.
Impact on DCU plans: How this will affect the DC Universe’s promotional timeline remains uncertain. It’s not ideal for the main villain in a high-profile DC film to be entangled in legal trouble, and it’s unclear whether DC Studios knew about these driving convictions when Schoenaerts was cast. There has been no official comment from DC Studios as of now.
Context on the film and cast: In Supergirl, the heroine travels across the galaxy with Krypto the Superdog to celebrate her 21st birthday. She encounters Ruthye, a young woman who becomes entangled in a dangerous path of revenge. The film stars Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Eve Ridley as Ruthye, Marye Knoll, Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills, Jason Momoa as Lobo, David Krumholtz as Zor-El, Emily Beecham as Alura In-Ze, and Ferdinand Kingsley as Elias Knoll. Craig Gillespie directs from a script by Ana Nogueira.
Release date: Supergirl is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 26, 2026.
Discussion prompts: Do you think an actor’s off-screen legal issues should influence a major film’s messaging or casting decisions? If Schoenaerts cannot fulfill promotional duties, should the production pivot to a different actor for interviews and press events, or wait and see how the legal process unfolds? Share your thoughts in the comments.
