Milly Alcock Says Her Supergirl Cape Was Made With Material from Christopher Reeve's Superman Suit
Milly Alcock is set to make her standalone debut as Kara Zor-El in Supergirl, a film that will premiere later this month. During an interview with the Raiders of the Lost Podcast, the actor revealed that parts of her iconic red cape were crafted using fabric from the original Superman cape worn by Christopher Reeve in the 1978 Richard Donner-directed classic. This tribute to the iconic actor and his portrayal of the Man of Steel adds a unique layer of cinematic history to her performance.
Alcock shared her excitement about the special connection between her character and the legacy of Superman. “My cape in this film was remade using material from the original Superman cape,” she said. When asked if the fabric was specifically sourced from the material used in Reeve’s suit, she confirmed, “Yeah, I think that they found there was like 16 meters of that material, so yeah, that's in the back of my cape now.” This detail not only honors the past but also adds emotional depth to her portrayal of Supergirl.
A Legacy of Superman on Screen
Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of Superman in the 1978 film is often regarded as the definitive version of the character in cinema. His performance helped shape the expectations for future actors who would take on the role, including Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill, and David Corenswet. Each of these actors brought their own interpretation to the iconic character in films such as Superman Returns, Man of Steel, and the 2024 Superman movie, respectively.
Now, Alcock’s Supergirl will carry forward a piece of that legacy. While the average viewer may not notice the fabric detail in the cape, it’s a subtle yet powerful nod to the past. The new DC Universe (DCU) has been making efforts to honor the 1978 film in various ways, from the music to the casting choices.
The DCU’s Nods to the Original Superman
The 2025 Superman film, for example, features a score inspired by the original main theme composed by John Williams. It also includes a cameo from Will Reeve, the son of the late actor and a real-life journalist, who appears as a reporter. While it’s unclear whether the specific fabric used in Alcock’s Supergirl cape was worn by Reeve himself, the connection to the 1978 film’s material is still present and meaningful.
Supergirl is set to premiere in theaters on June 26, 2026. As fans wait to see how Alcock and the DC Studios team have honored the legacy of Superman, there’s plenty to follow in the DCU news cycle. The upcoming release promises to continue the tradition of honoring the past while pushing the character into new directions.
