Key Facts
Milly Alcock, star of the upcoming 'Supergirl' film, has openly embraced queer interpretations of her character, Kara Zor-El. At the world premiere in Brooklyn on June 23, 2026, she told Variety that Supergirl represents a modern woman who can be strong, tough, and messy. The film, directed by Craig Gillespie, deliberately avoids a romance storyline, marking a departure from the 1984 version.
Details
Alcock's comments come during Pride Month, and she noted that fans have asked about the character's queer appeal. Earlier in the press tour, she told a content creator she is 'honored' by queer readings, emphasizing that Kara 'doesn’t live inside the binary of what we think a woman should be.' The 1984 film starring Helen Slater featured a love triangle, but the new movie focuses on character depth.
Alcock admitted she hasn't seen the 1984 'Supergirl' or other superhero films like 'Wonder Woman,' saying with a sheepish grin, 'Which is probably not great. I should just lie!' She credits DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn for expanding her superhero knowledge, but her favorite comic book movie remains Pixar's 'The Incredibles.'
Impact and Creative Vision
Director Craig Gillespie explained he avoided referencing past DC movies to maintain creative freedom. 'I wanted to create a world that came from character first,' he said. However, he frequently returned to Tom King's acclaimed 2022 comic 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow' for visual inspiration. King, consulting on multiple DC projects, described his version of Supergirl as 'a particular kind of cool. An outsider.' He added, 'I honestly stole it from my daughter.'
What Readers Should Know
- The film stars David Corenswet as Superman, but 'Supergirl' stands alone.
- Alcock trained for two months but avoided superhero movies to craft an original performance.
- The movie ditches romance, focusing on Kara's emotional complexity and trauma from Krypton's destruction.
FAQ
Did Milly Alcock watch the 1984 Supergirl film?
No, she admitted she hasn't seen Helen Slater's 1984 version, saying with a guilty grin that she should probably lie about it.
What is Milly Alcock's favorite comic book movie?
She loves Pixar's 'The Incredibles' and calls both films amazing, preferring it over DC or Marvel movies.
How did director Craig Gillespie approach the new Supergirl film?
He avoided referencing the 1984 film or other DC movies, focusing on character first and using Tom King's 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow' comics as a visual touchstone.
Source: variety.com