DC Studios is setting the stage for a bold new era with its upcoming film Supergirl, and early signs suggest that fans of the superhero genre are in for a treat. Test screenings held earlier this month have generated a buzz, with attendees singling out Milly Alcock’s portrayal of Kara Zor-El—better known as Supergirl—as a standout performance that might just rival the iconic turns of Marvel’s Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. According to reporting from ComicBookMovie.com and other entertainment outlets, the feedback for Alcock’s performance has been “unanimously praised,” positioning her as a potential new superstar in the ever-competitive world of comic book adaptations.
For those who haven’t been following the latest developments in the DC Universe (DCU), here’s what’s happening: James Gunn’s much-anticipated Superman hit theaters on July 11, 2025, introducing David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel. But it was the film’s final moments that truly caught audiences off guard. In a scene set in the Fortress of Solitude, Milly Alcock’s Supergirl makes a chaotic entrance, immediately establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with—and leaving fans clamoring for more. As reported by multiple sources, this cameo serves as a direct nod to the 2021 comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which will also serve as the inspiration for Alcock’s upcoming solo film.
Let’s set the scene: After Superman’s climactic battle to save both Metropolis and Jarhanpur, he seeks solace in the icy halls of the Fortress of Solitude. Suddenly, a crash breaks the peace. Enter Supergirl, slightly tipsy and searching for her dog, Krypto—the superpowered pup who, it turns out, is hers, not Clark Kent’s. Dressed in her signature red skirt and blue top, but swapping the cape for a brown jacket, Alcock’s Kara Zor-El immediately launches into a playful tussle with Krypto. Superman, bemused, quips to his robots, “She likes to party on planets with red suns. Because we can’t get drunk under yellow ones.” It’s a brief but telling introduction, one that hints at a version of Supergirl who is unpredictable, funny, and layered with personality.
This fresh take on the character is no accident. Director Craig Gillespie and the creative team at DC Studios have drawn heavily from Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, a comic that reimagines Kara as a hero shaped by loss and hardship. Unlike Superman, who found stability and hope on Earth, Supergirl has witnessed the destruction of her home and the death of her people, carrying that trauma into adulthood. Gunn himself has described her as “kind of a mess,” and the dynamic between her and Superman—already apparent in their banter—promises to bring new depth to the DCU’s roster of heroes.
With Supergirl’s solo film set to release on July 26, 2026, anticipation is high. The story will pick up where her cameo left off, following Kara and Krypto as they travel across the galaxy. Along the way, she’ll meet Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley, and embark on a violent quest for revenge. The supporting cast is stacked with talent, including Matthias Schoenaerts, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, and a cameo from Jason Momoa as the notorious Lobo. According to the early reports, Bradley Cooper is also set to appear as Jor-El in the upcoming Superman film, further expanding the interconnected world that DC Studios is building.
But what has truly set tongues wagging is the reaction to the first test screenings of Supergirl. Held earlier in December 2025, these screenings are a crucial part of the filmmaking process, allowing the creative team to gauge audience reactions and make adjustments before the final cut. As reported by both ComicBookMovie.com and El-Balad, the feedback has been “largely positive.” While the film itself may not be breaking entirely new ground—some viewers found the portrayal of the villain Krem of the Yellow Hills to be underwhelming—the consensus is clear: Milly Alcock’s Supergirl is the heart and soul of the movie.
“Milly Alcock’s performance as the Woman of Tomorrow was unanimously praised,” one source noted, echoing the sentiment of many who attended the screenings. Her ability to bring depth, humor, and vulnerability to the role has drawn comparisons to the likes of Chris Evans’ Captain America and Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man—two actors who helped define the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for a generation of fans. It’s a lofty comparison, but one that speaks to the impact Alcock is already having in the role.
Of course, no film is perfect out of the gate. The test screenings also surfaced areas for improvement, particularly regarding the depiction of Krem of the Yellow Hills, a villain who, according to some, fails to leave a lasting impression. But with director Craig Gillespie and DC Studios still deep in the editing process, there’s plenty of time to address these concerns and fine-tune the final product. As one industry insider put it, “Test screenings this far from release are meant to determine what is and isn’t working, leaving DC Studios and filmmaker Craig Gillespie plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments.”
For Milly Alcock, the journey to becoming Supergirl has been shrouded in secrecy. In interviews leading up to her official reveal, she remained tight-lipped, joking that she “can’t speak” about the role and doesn’t “want to get sued.” But with her debut now public knowledge, the excitement among fans and industry observers is palpable. Alcock, who first gained widespread recognition for her role in House of the Dragon, now finds herself at the center of one of Hollywood’s most ambitious franchises.
The stakes are high for DC Studios. With the MCU having set the gold standard for interconnected superhero storytelling, the pressure is on to deliver something fresh and compelling. But if the early reactions to Supergirl are any indication, the studio may have found its secret weapon in Milly Alcock. Her performance, described as both “unpredictable” and “full of personality,” could very well be the spark that ignites a new era for the DCU.
As the release date for Supergirl approaches, all eyes will be on Alcock and the creative team to see whether they can deliver on the promise of these early screenings. One thing is certain: the Woman of Tomorrow has arrived, and she’s ready to take flight.
