Superman Off-Screen
David Corenswet Praised for Protecting Milly Alcock From Photographer at Supergirl Premiere
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Key Points
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Alcock said that 'simply existing as a woman in that space invites a lot of commentary' and that 'we've become comfortable with this strange sense of ownership over women's bodies,' highlighting ongoing scrutiny of female actors in superhero franchises.
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Coverage noted censorship issues in India related to the film's release, underscoring geopolitical sensitivities surrounding Supergirl's premiere and messaging.
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The project is framed as part of James Gunn's DC Universe, with Corenswet returning as Clark Kent/Superman opposite Alcock's Supergirl; the film features a June release window and has drawn attention to Alcock's casting from producer Peter Safran.
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Trailer and promo footage show Alcock's dog Krypto in danger, signaling the stakes and emotional throughline for Supergirl within the new DC storyline.
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The red-carpet moment where Corenswet steps between Alcock and a photographer went viral, with the clip garnering hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of likes, fueling fan discussions about his real-life Superman qualities.
David Corenswet stepped between Milly Alcock and a photographer who touched her back without permission at the *Supergirl* world premiere in Brooklyn on June 22, PrimeTimer reported. The moment was caught on video and posted to X, where it drew over 1.4 million views in 12 hours, according to TheWrap.
Corenswet, who plays Clark Kent/Superman in the new DC Universe, physically blocked the photographer and said "Back off," OK Magazine reported. Fans quickly called it a "real-life Superman moment," fueling buzz just four days before the film's scheduled June 26 release.
Photographer Touches Alcock, Corenswet Moves Fast
The incident happened around 7:45 PM ET on the blue carpet. Alcock, Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult were talking when a photographer reached out and touched Alcock's back, The Tab reported. Corenswet immediately moved in front of her.
Video of the moment, posted by the account @homeofdcu, went viral within hours. The clip got over 8,000 likes on the initial post, per MovieWeb. Fans called it a "protective cousin" moment — a nod to Superman and Supergirl being cousins in the DCU.
Alcock Had Already Warned About Women's Bodies Being Treated as Public Property
Days before the premiere, on June 18 in London, Alcock spoke bluntly about being a woman in a superhero franchise. "Simply existing as a woman in that space invites a lot of commentary," she said. "We've become comfortable with this strange sense of ownership over women's bodies."
Her words looked prophetic just four days later on the red carpet. Analysts noted the photographer's casual contact proved her point exactly. She also told reporters, "I can't really stop them. I can only be myself," per Coming Soon.
A $170 Million Film Facing Box Office Headwinds and Censorship Hurdles
*Supergirl* cost an estimated $170 million to make, according to Variety. Early tracking had the film opening to $55 million or more. That number has since been revised down to a $50–$55 million range, with some independent trackers suggesting a floor as low as $39 million, per Head Topics.
The film also faces censorship challenges in India. The Central Board of Film Certification already cut 33 seconds from Corenswet's 2025 *Superman* film. Reviewers expect *Supergirl*'s darker tone — including what the trailer frames as a "murderous quest for revenge" — to trigger similar scrutiny in one of the world's biggest movie markets.
Corenswet's Real-Life Moment Boosts His Superman Brand
For comparison, Corenswet's 2025 *Superman* opened to $125 million domestically and earned $618.7 million worldwide, per MovieWeb. DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has said Alcock's performance is "above and beyond anything I hoped it would be."
The viral clip has strengthened Corenswet's public image as a "wholesome but firm" Superman even before opening weekend. A small number of commentators questioned whether the moment benefited from the timing, arriving just as box office projections began to soften, Coming Soon noted. Most fans, though, weren't buying the skepticism.
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