Dean Cain is catching heat after taking a shot at the new Supergirl, Milly Alcock, and it’s not going over well. The former Superman actor reposted a photo of Alcock in her Supergirl suit on X with a caption questioning how her bulletproof skin could allow for ear piercings. When another user compared her to Cha-Ka, a furry, ape-like character from Land of the Lost, Cain laughed it off, writing, “Dang it, I laughed.” The backlash was swift.
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Fans and critics are calling out the double standard in how women in Hollywood are judged. Alcock, who took on the role of Kara Zor-El in 2025’s Superman, is no stranger to online scrutiny. In a March interview with Vanity Fair, she admitted she was nervous about how audiences would receive her portrayal. “Of course I’m scared,” she said. “Of course I want people to like me and the movie. But ultimately, it’s out of my control.”
Her experience on House of the Dragon prepared her for the inevitable criticism that comes with being a woman in the public eye. “It definitely made me aware that simply existing as a woman in that space is something that people comment on,” she said. “We have become very comfortable having this weird ownership of women’s bodies.”
The new Supergirl movie promises a fresh take on the character
Director Craig Gillespie teased that Alcock’s Supergirl, which hits theaters June 26, will have a very different dynamic with Superman than fans might expect. “They have such different upbringings,” Gillespie told Entertainment Weekly.
“Superman hasn’t gone through trauma. He came from a very loving family and was almost groomed to be in this role, whereas Supergirl has been through trauma, and the role’s kind of being pushed upon her at a later age.” The result, he said, is an almost sibling-like rivalry between the two cousins, with Superman playing the patient older brother and Supergirl struggling to find her place.
— Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) June 7, 2026
Cain’s comments have reignited conversations about the way women in Hollywood are treated, especially when they take on iconic roles. Reddit users were quick to point out the hypocrisy in how Alcock and other actresses are judged. “She is like the most conventionally attractive woman ever. We can’t win,” one user wrote.
Another added, “I still remember when these chuds used to call Sydney Sweeney a mid chick with big t***. Then they found out she was MAGA and suddenly they started acting like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.” The comparison to Margot Robbie, who has also faced online criticism, didn’t go unnoticed either. “I just laughed out loud thinking about Margot Robbie and ‘mid’ in the same sentence,” a user replied.
Dang it… I laughed ?
— Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) June 8, 2026
The controversy has highlighted the cultural divide over how female characters are perceived
Alcock’s Supergirl is stepping into a role that has historically been defined by male creators and fans, and her portrayal is already facing resistance. “It’s frustrating because it’s not even about her performance,” one Reddit user said. They added, “It’s about her looks, her body, her piercings. It’s exhausting.” Alcock herself has taken a philosophical approach to the criticism. “I can’t really stop them,” she told Vanity Fair. “I can only be myself.”
Cain, who played Superman in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, has leaned into his MAGA-aligned persona in recent years. His X bio still features Superman’s iconic motto, ‘Truth, Justice, and the American Way’, but his recent comments have drawn criticism for their tone-deafness.
smh so disappointed in dean cain for mocking milly alcock it was not cool at all he needs to apologize to her
— Breeland The Goat (@FleaGodson) June 10, 2026
One user pointed out the irony in his history, noting that Cain himself faced racist nicknames for being a half-Asian Superman actor. “I can’t fathom how he rationalizes that hypocrisy,” they wrote.
Director James Gunn, who helmed 2025’s Superman and has been vocal about the backlash from MAGA fans over the film’s immigrant origin story, weighed in on the ear-piercing debate. “As explained in Superman, the same way she gets drunk – she goes to a planet with a red sun,” Gunn wrote on Threads, according to The Daily Beast.
“Not to mention, she was raised on a chunk of Krypton, so didn’t even experience superpowers until her teens.” The explanation didn’t stop Cain from doubling down, though. Since Sunday, he’s replied to or reposted at least 30 posts in the Supergirl thread, mixing in political commentary alongside his critiques of Alcock’s appearance.
It's one thing for a "fan" to say something like that, but someone who is an actor, and was in the franchise, knows how cruel that is and that it really can hurt.
— Sci-Fi World Museum (@hollywoodscifi) June 11, 2026
The new Supergirl movie is shaping up to be a major moment for the character
Alcock’s portrayal could redefine what audiences expect. Gillespie’s vision for the film suggests a more complex, trauma-informed take on Supergirl, one that contrasts sharply with Superman’s more straightforward upbringing. “She’s having to find a way and find herself,” Gillespie said. If the trailers are any indication, fans can expect a Supergirl who’s as much about inner strength as she is about superpowers.
For now, though, the conversation around the film is dominated by Cain’s comments and the broader issue of how women in superhero roles are treated. Alcock’s response to the criticism has been measured, focusing on what she can control. It’s a simple philosophy, but one that feels especially relevant in an industry where women are often judged more harshly than their male counterparts.
As Supergirl prepares for its release, it’s clear that Alcock’s performance will have to speak for itself, and if early reactions are any indication, she’s more than up for the challenge.
(Featured image: Miguel Discart; Kiri Karma Photos Vrac)
