‘Supergirl’ Milly Alcock pays tribute to 1978 ‘Superman’ Christopher Reeve with a hidden costume detail

Milly Alcock has revealed that her costume in Supergirl contains a remarkable tribute to Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal of Superman.

Speaking on the Raiders of the Lost Podcast, the Australian actress said the cape she wears in the new DC Studios film was created using fabric from the original cape worn by Reeve in Richard Donner’s Superman in 1978.

According to Alcock, the production team discovered approximately 16 metres of the original material and incorporated it into the back of her costume.

“My cape in this film was remade using material from the original Superman cape,” she explained, adding that the surviving fabric had been preserved and reused for the new film.

The detail creates a direct connection between the latest chapter of the DC Universe and one of the most beloved superhero films ever made. Reeve first portrayed Clark Kent and Superman in Superman in 1978 before returning for Superman II in 1980, Superman III in 1983 and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace in 1987. The actor died in 2004 at the age of 52, but his legacy remains central to the character’s history.

The story follows Kara as she celebrates her 23rd birthday while travelling across the galaxy with her loyal companion Krypto. The project is based on Tom King’s 2022 comic series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, illustrated by Bilquis Evely and adapted for the screen by Ana Nogueira.

Alongside Alcock, the cast includes Jason Momoa as the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo, Eve Ridley as Ruthye Mary Knolle and Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills. The plot centres on Ruthye and Kara pursuing Krem after he murders the young girl’s father.

The film has attracted considerable attention as one of the key entries in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC era. Alcock previously made her debut as Supergirl before receiving her own feature film.

The decision to incorporate fabric from Reeve’s original costume serves as both a symbolic passing of the torch and a tribute to one of the actors most closely associated with Superman. For longtime fans of the franchise, the hidden detail offers a tangible link between nearly five decades of superhero history.