Milly Alcock’s solo DCU debut in Supergirl includes a meaningful link to Superman history through a family hand-me-down from the franchise’s past. The actress recently said that the cape she wears in the Craig Gillespie-directed Warner Bros. film was made using material from Christopher Reeve’s original Superman cape from the 1978 movie.
Alcock shared the detail during an appearance on the Raiders of the Lost Podcast, explaining that the production reused fabric from the earlier cape and incorporated it into her own costume. She said there was still a significant amount of the original material available, and that a portion of it was sewn into the back of her cape. The connection gives her version of Kara Zor-El a direct visual and symbolic tie to the legacy of the character’s on-screen history.
Christopher Reeve portrayed Clark Kent and Superman in Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman, as well as the sequels Superman II in 1980, Superman III in 1983 and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace in 1987. Reeve became one of the most iconic actors to play the role before his death in 2004 at the age of 52.
Supergirl is scheduled to premiere in theaters and IMAX on June 26. In the film, Alcock reprises her role as Kara Zor-El, who is celebrating her 23rd birthday while traveling through the galaxy with her dog, Krypto. The story expands the DC Universe with a more cosmic take on the character, placing her in an interstellar adventure rather than a traditional Earth-bound superhero setting.
The film also features Jason Momoa as Lobo, Eve Ridley as Ruthye Mary Knolle and Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem. The cast brings together a mix of established stars and emerging talent for the new chapter in DC’s film lineup.
The movie is based on Tom King’s 2022 comic book series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, illustrated by Bilquis Evely. Ana Nogueira adapted the story for the screen. In the comic, Supergirl teams up with the young alien girl Knolle to pursue Krem of the Yellow Hill after he brutally kills Knolle’s father, setting off a revenge-driven journey across space.
With its blend of comic-book roots, a new DCU direction and a direct connection to Superman film history, Supergirl is positioned as both a fresh start for the character and a tribute to the legacy that helped define her world.
