‘House of the Dragon‘ star Milly Alcock, who is set to play Supergirl in Warner Bros.’ upcoming DC Universe film, recently addressed the long-standing criticism of superhero movies from iconic filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott.
Alcock, who made her debut as Kara Zor-El in a cameo in last year’s ‘Superman‘ and will lead ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow‘ (set for release on June 26), was asked in an interview about the criticism of superhero films from veteran directors.
Milly Alcock Responds to Superhero Movie Criticism from Hollywood Legends
Martin Scorsese has previously said in a 2019 New York Times opinion piece that Marvel films fell more like “theme parks” than cinema, arguing they lack emotional and psychological depth. Ridley Scott has also been openly critical, calling the superhero films “boring” and saying they are “not any good” in interviews.
Related: Is Supergirl Actually Stronger Than Superman? DC’s Biggest Kryptonian Debate Explained
“I get it,” Alcock told Vanity Fair. “They’ve been around for f**king ever making phenomenal films. Not every film is for everyone. The beauty of art is that you can be selective.” She added, “Whenever a new wave comes along, there’s going to be criticism towards it.”
Milly Alcock Facing Backlash as a Female Superhero Lead
The remarks come as Alcock prepares for the harsh scrutiny that comes with leading a major franchise film. The 25-year-old Australian, known for her strong performance as a young Rhaenyra Targaryen, said she understands the criticism is part of the job, especially as a woman in a high-profile superhero role.
In case you missed it: ‘Supergirl’ Could Open The Door For More Female Heroes In DCU
“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.”
Alcock also said she once decided to step away from big franchises after ‘House of the Dragon,’ but later pushed herself to audition for Supergirl after a year without work. “I was so shit-scared that my life was over at 22,” she said. “And, of course, it wasn’t.”
Milly Alcock on Her Version of Supergirl
In ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,’ a part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DC Universe, her version of Kara Zor-El deals with overwhelming responsibility after the destruction of her home planet.
“She’s not trying to save the world—she’s just trying to save her own,” said Alcock. “This film is an excellent reminder that the world can be crumbling around you, but you can be the hero of your own story.”
Why This Debate on Superhero Movies Still Matters
Alcock’s pragmatic view stands in contrast to the more defensive responses often seen from actors in Marvel and DC films. Instead of rejecting the criticism from the filmmakers, Alcock supported the idea that different kinds of movies can exist side by side.
Whether a fan or not, superhero films have dominated the box office for almost two decades and earned billions every year. Critics like Scorsese argue that this dominance limits space for original filmmaking and smaller films.
You might also like to read: James Gunn’s DCU Could Turn To An Unexpected Hero For Its Next Big Adaptation After ‘Supergirl’
