Milly Alcock, the Australian actress set to headline Warner Bros.’ upcoming “Supergirl,” is already anticipating criticism from online audiences ahead of the film’s summer release, drawing pushback from conservative commentators who say she is pre-emptively blaming fans for a film that has not yet opened.
In a profile published Tuesday by Vanity Fair, Ms. Alcock was asked whether her experience with the notoriously passionate “Game of Thrones” fandom had prepared her for the reaction she’ll face in her new role. “It definitely made me aware that simply existing as a woman in that space is something that people comment on,” she said. “We have become very comfortable having this weird ownership of women’s bodies. I can’t really stop them. I can only be myself.”
The remarks drew criticism from multiple conservative outlets. Breitbart critic John Nolte argued Ms. Alcock was unfairly casting superhero fans as hostile to female leads, noting that “Supergirl” is by definition a female character and that the original “Game of Thrones” series, in which women held many of the most prominent roles, ran successfully for eight seasons. A separate Breitbart piece by Warner Todd Huston argued the film’s predecessor, “Superman,” had itself drawn criticism over its perceived political messaging, suggesting audience skepticism of “Supergirl” could stem from creative rather than gender-based concerns.
OutKick was equally dismissive, calling Ms. Alcock’s framing “delusional at best, and self-aggrandizing victimhood at worst,” and arguing that existing fan criticism of the film centered on creative concerns, not the actress’s gender. Fox News also covered the remarks, framing them as Ms. Alcock “believing women face scrutiny for simply existing in franchises.”
Ms. Alcock was cast in the title role in January 2024 and made her debut as Kara Zor-El in last year’s “Superman” before taking top billing in the standalone film. Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, “Supergirl” is the second entry in DC Studios’ rebooted universe, produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
The Vanity Fair piece also touched on Ms. Alcock’s views on prominent filmmakers who have criticized the superhero genre. Martin Scorsese previously compared comic book films to theme park rides, while Ridley Scott called them “boring as s—-.” Ms. Alcock was unfazed. “I get it,” she said. “They’ve been around for f—-ing ever making phenomenal films. Not every film is for everyone. The beauty of art is that you can be selective.”
After “House of the Dragon,” Ms. Alcock said she had initially sworn off major franchise projects, but professional anxiety set in during a period of unemployment. “I was so s—-scared that my life was over at 22,” she told the magazine. “And, of course, it wasn’t.” She said she ultimately “bullied” herself into accepting the role.
“Supergirl” is scheduled for release June 26, 2026, as part of DC’s “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.” The film follows Kara Zor-El on an interstellar journey of vengeance after a tragedy strikes close to home.
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