Milly Alcock just gave a clapback to toxic comic fandoms by addressing the inherent bias against female actresses in superhero roles.
Calling out the scrutiny on playing ‘Supergirl‘, the ‘House of the Dragon‘ actress says how she isn’t surprised by the “weird ownership” of women’s bodies.
Milly Alcock Is Prepared For the Worst With ‘Supergirl’s Reception
During an interview with Vanity Fair, Milly Alcock noted that the love shared by fandoms for popular comics can sometimes go a bit overboard. The actress added, “Of course I’m scared. Of course, I want people to like me and the movie. But ultimately, it’s out of my control.”
Related: What Happened After ‘House of the Dragon’ Is Why Milly Alcock Isn’t Afraid of ‘Supergirl’ Backlash
She went on to explain that, by taking on such a role, there’s a risk she could be more criticized. “It definitely made me aware that simply existing as a woman in that space is something that people comment on.”
She further admitted, “We have become very comfortable having this weird ownership of women’s bodies. I can’t really stop them. I can only be myself”.
Fan Reactions Focus on Storytelling, Not Gender
Over the past five to six years, superhero fans have grown increasingly frustrated with how studios handle certain films. Many feel that studios are pushing lesser-known characters to attract new audiences instead of focusing on strong storytelling. This trend even led to the sarcastic term “M-She-U,” which critics use to call out the forced character developments.
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With ‘Supergirl‘, similar concerns are already coming up. After the first few trailers, some viewers said the film does not look very promising so far. They have pointed out issues such as weak visuals, questionable CGI, and a lack of originality in the character’s presentation. The idea of making the superhero feel “messy” has also divided opinions, with some wondering if it actually adds anything new.
Fans argue that these reactions have nothing to do with the lead being a woman. They say strong female characters always have their support when written well. For them, the problem is more about execution than gender.
Alcock, however, has also shared her personal side of the story. She admitted she did not originally plan to join a big franchise and went through a period when work slowed, which made her worry about her future. Looking back, she said she felt “so scared that my life was over at 22,” before realizing that was not the case. In the end, she pushed herself to take the role and said she “kind of bullied” herself into doing it.
So now, there is a clear divide. Alcock is speaking about the pressure that comes with being a woman in such a visible role, while fans say their opinions are based on how the film looks so far. As the release gets closer, this debate is only getting more intense.
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