The latest film from the “DCU” movie universe, Supergirl, launches in less than a week, with Milly Alcock taking on the role of Kara, cousin of Kal-El. She was first introduced in a very fun scene in last year’s Superman film, and there are many people looking forward to seeing it.
However, in some of the more toxic areas of the Internet, people aren’t so enthusiastic. In fact, take a look in certain online social media places and there are a ton of sexist and misogynistic comments about Milly Alcock, the movie, and even Milly’s appearance. “She doesn’t smile!” they say. Some have even compared her appearance to a character from Mad Max. None of those things are true, by the way.
This bad behavior was made even worse when former Superman actor Dean Cain admitted he “laughed,” and then went on to follow one of the main misogynist grifters one could find on X. Why is it necessary for an actor to insult another actor like that? Would Dean like it if people called him names? Probably not. (And be the better person – don’t do it.) I know some complained about the media coverage — but the point was that what Dean Cain said about her was bad and it should be discussed. That is news.
Some of the people and outlets posting rage bait and doom and gloom repeatedly have their reasons: If you pay for a blue check on X and get engagement, you can get paid for what you post, so if someone posts something infuriating that gets a lot of replies, they get a lot of money for it. Some are angry that the Zack Snyder “Snyderverse” films are dead, and blame James Gunn and anything peripheral to him for it… even though Gunn is not director of the movie, so that does about as much good as attacking James Wan and Aquaman for how awful Batman v Superman was. Some of these people will complain about any social commentary that they don’t agree with; there’s a throughline between the Supergirl haters and those who’d complain that someone ate their comm badge on Starfleet Academy, for example. And finally, there are the folks who took issue with Milly Alcock’s “Dad of four; Christian” comment, that the haters of the film usually have profiles that say things like that. She’s not wrong. One of the most toxic online posters about Supergirl literally says “I became a #1 bestselling author by standing for Christian values” in his profile. His “Christian values,” by the way, are not Christian at all, if one looked around this profile. He spews racism, homophobia, hate, and misogyny like there’s nothing else in the world. Milly Alcock was not attacking Christians with her post.
Just today, there have been completely fabricated “online reactions to a Supergirl screening” from people with only 120 social media followers that have no basis in reality. Or, those who did post positive reviews are getting attacked by the opposition, claiming they are “shills” and lying. Sometimes a movie is a movie, and people have different opinions. I mentioned earlier that I didn’t like Batman v Superman; for others, it’s their favorite film. So, differences of opinion happen. I do still resent it, though, that even back then there was a group of fans insisting that every negative review of BvS was “paid for by Marvel.” If that’s the case, where is my check?
The Internet has also been a place for hit pieces about how Supergirl will “flop.” Maybe it will. We’ll know in a week or so. But, the reasons for posting such things are mostly, again, wishful thinking from the crowd still butthurt that Starfleet Academy had a gay Klingon in it. They’ll find something new to grift their hate on in a few weeks, anyway.
I have not seen Supergirl yet, and I won’t see it until opening night like almost everyone else in the world can. Who knows, maybe I won’t even like it. But I think it deserves a fair shot going in next week. A friend told me his teenage daughter is looking forward to it. Honestly, her opinion matters more than mine or any random neckbeard on the Internet’s opinion would. I do worry that the negativity surrounding the film has killed some of my excitement, and worry that others have had that same feeling, but hopefully, we can fly above and just enjoy the film. Supergirl hits theaters June 26.
Disclaimer, but necessary to mention: Those who have followed KryptonSite for 25 years know that in my younger days, I posted some things that I saw as “jokes,” primarily age-related, that might have read as pretty awful. I apologize for that, and I have apologized for that. It isn’t funny to look back at, and it wasn’t funny then.
RC
May 2, 2016 at 2:01 pm
I thought this may happen when Tom Cavanagh said Supergirl is moving their set to Vancouver last week on Hollywood Today Live. Well not the CW part but big changes for the show.
Craig Byrne
May 2, 2016 at 10:40 pm
Whoa, he did? That’s news to me… didn’t hear anything about that…
Craig Byrne
May 2, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Just saw what he said, and it’s curious: He said “Supergirl is filming in Vancouver next week” or something like that. They wouldn’t be filming Season 2 yet… unless… Supergirl is making a surprise appearance in the Flash finale?
Jacob
May 6, 2016 at 2:35 pm
Man that would be cool.
KET
May 2, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Variety has now given themselves over to speculative click-bait articles in order to compete with their sister blog at Deadline. How the once mighty entertainment news source has fallen on hard times and desperate measures to get attention. They might as well be TMZ or Perez Hilton at this point. More unsubstantiated drivel in light of no concrete Supergirl series news, since CBS hasn’t renewed any of their freshman shows, and they’ve still got plenty of time before the May 18th Upfronts rolls around,.
Craig Byrne
May 2, 2016 at 10:39 pm
They never said anything was definitely happening, though, and reporting that there’s talk or rumors of something is relevant and newsworthy.
KET
May 3, 2016 at 7:09 am
No, it’s not ‘newsworthy. It’s mindless click bait speculation pretending to be news. Variety is full of crap, and this isn’t the first time they’ve been caught pandering to the fan boy rumor mill. Besides, The CW schedule is already full; the only holdout at this point is whether they’re going to give the series order to another Berlanti show, Riverdale. Supergirl is CBS’ 6th most popular show; it’s fate is entirely safe where it already is.
Craig Byrne
May 3, 2016 at 9:41 am
CBS also doesn’t own Supergirl outright, so the shows they actually own are of a higher importance to them in the long run. Believe me, I want Supergirl Season 2 more than anybody, but if CBS thinks they could make more money from an hour of mediocre sitcoms vs. giving Warner Bros. TV a big license fee for Supergirl, they’d go with the mediocre sitcoms.
I still think this is a valid thing to be discussed, even if it doesn’t happen. And by the way: Riverdale will definitely not be the only new CW series order. That part I can say for sure. It might be the only one for the Fall, but we’ll certainly get something else, for midseason or otherwise.
Vince
May 2, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Not happening.
Craig Byrne
May 2, 2016 at 10:39 pm
So glad to have your expert opinion, Vince. I’m sure [as your IP address implies] home in the Philippines gives you access to all kinds of insider information.
This is why this is a speculative article, with a question mark at the end.
Vince
May 4, 2016 at 5:54 pm
I don’t need insider information to know it won’t happen. 100% WB-produced shows: The Flash,Arrow,Supernatural, Legends of Tomorrow, iZombie & Containment. Riverdale is also 100% WB. Co-owned network right?
Chris
May 3, 2016 at 11:22 am
I hope Supergirl continues regardless of where it ends up.
I did read that Berlanti says CW can’t afford Supergirl. If it did end up going to CW, it makes me worry they’d slash the budget on the show. What I want to know is why would CBS sit on a cancellation revelation. Are they saving the news that it’s renewed for the upfronts event later this month?
Craig Byrne
May 3, 2016 at 11:37 am
CBS hasn’t announced any of their freshman series renewals yet, though Glenn Geller of CBS did say “we’re renewing 5” a few months ago; he may have been getting ahead of himself. I think they’re probably waiting to see how their new pilots turned out and then, of course, negotiating with producers and studios and all that.
Ira
May 3, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Like Supergirl said all you need is HOPE
Dakota
May 3, 2016 at 9:26 pm
i want Supergirl in THE CW is the better option to this show
Jacob
May 6, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Are you of the opinion that it will definitely be back for season two though?