Milly Alcock Recounts Surprising ‘Supergirl’ Casting News, Variety Honors Actors at Newport Beach Film Festival

Actress Milly Alcock learned she had been cast as Supergirl in the upcoming DC film through a text message from director James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, and admitted to a moment of self-doubt upon receiving the news.

Speaking at the Newport Beach Film Festival yesterday, Alcock revealed her initial reaction was, “My first thought was: What have I done?” but she ultimately enjoyed her cameo in “Superman” and is looking forward to the release of “Supergirl” next year, stating, “I’ve learned a lot from it, and it’s such an honor to play her and be that person for young girls.” The casting of Alcock as Supergirl is a key component of the revamped DC Universe, signaling a fresh direction for the iconic character.

Alcock was among the ten actors honored as part of Variety’s annual “10 Actors to Watch” list, a prestigious recognition that has previously highlighted talents like Octavia Spencer and Timothée Chalamet. The festival also honored Scarlett Johansson with the Groundbreakers and Legends Award for her recent directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great,” and Steven Gaydos for his three decades of service with Variety. Several rising stars shared stories of working alongside established actors, with Tonatiuh, starring in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” alongside Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna, describing the opportunity as “like getting invited to the Olympics.” Other honorees included Mari Yamamoto, who shared a touching anecdote about working with Brendan Fraser, noting his dedication to supporting his fellow actors; you can learn more about Fraser’s career on IMDb.

The festival also highlighted emerging talent like Miles Caton, Chase Infiniti, and Guillaume Marbeck, all making their film debuts in highly anticipated projects. Festival organizers stated they will continue to champion emerging and established talent in the film industry.